Widely known as “America’s Favorite Doctor” Laura Purdy, MD, MBA is a board-certified Family Medicine Physician who is among the nation’s foremost thought leaders on the future of digital healthcare. Licensed in all 50 states, (including D.C.), anyone in America can be her patient, and she is quickly becoming a celebrity in her own right. 

Dr. Purdy served for 14 years as an Army physician, helping soldiers on the ground through telehealth. Now, she is a sought-after digital medicine expert, and business advisor serving as Medical Director/Co-Founder and advisor for more than 50 leading telehealth providers. Today we got to sit down and talk to Laura to learn more about her and the fearless woman now arriving on the fashion scene too! 

How do you maintain your confidence and self-esteem in an industry that is often criticized for promoting unrealistic beauty standards?  

I think confidence and self-esteem is something that doesn’t always come easy for everyone, myself included! Having just gotten out of the army only two years ago, I have had to learn every single thing from scratch about beauty, fashion, make-up, and even the basics of having my photograph taken for publications. It’s been a challenge to preserve confidence and self esteem along the way. For me, the most important aspects have been remembering who I am, and what I stand for. At the end of the day, it is more about the message, and the mission that I am trying to portray. I really try to focus on what I am really trying to do in the world and why I am trying to do it. Then that confidence carries over into what you see in the photographs.

We are curious to know what makes you tick! What moves you?

I am motivated by a deep desire to change, reject the status quo, eliminate double standards, and show people all over the world that they can do whatever they set an intention to do. I want to change the way that healthcare is done, not only in our country, but also worldwide. I want to be an example and raise the bar of what it means to be a doctor, and what it means to interact with patients. Doing good, being good, and giving love every day is what motivates me above everything else.

How do you use your platform and influence to create positive change and make a difference in the world?

First and foremost, I try to live as the example of the change that I want to see. I want to be a down to earth, humble, compassionate, empathetic, caring physician, who meets patients where they are but still provides high-quality care. I don’t believe in the traditional mindset of physicians, as being superior to people, aloof, uninterested, and not personable. So I use my platform as a way to show the world what we can expect from our physicians. 

We have seen you on multiple magazine covers now, tell us some of your favorite fashion designers.

I have had the honor of being on many covers this year! Although I will be completely honest with you, there are so many people who help select a wardrobe, and prepare my look for each shot, that I have not quite been able to fully capture in my mind which designers I am wearing at any given shoot. I would be nowhere without my stylists and wardrobe coordinators, helping put every look together!

What advice would you give to young girls and women who aspire to pursue a career in modeling?

If you’re thinking about it, do it! Get in there and try it. If I can do it, anybody can do it! Just think, two years ago I was wearing an army uniform, marching around and saluting people! I also recommend that you remain humble, and never take it personal. As a model, you are more of a product than a person in the final copy. You are representing a brand or an idea or a publication, and when you receive feedback, it is not designed to be personal. If I am working with a photographer, a modeling coach, an editor, or someone else on the team, and they make a suggestion about something that I might be able to do better or different next time, I know they are not criticizing me personally, they are looking out for my best interests to make sure that the best product is created by everyone’s efforts. Relax and have fun, enjoy the moment, and just be present with the crew. 

Let’s talk music, we have seen you post amazing reels on your Instagram @AmericasFavoriteDoctor, do you still play? 

Sometimes I still play! I would never claim to be a singer, but being a professional accompanist, did allow me the opportunity to hear many people in Voice Lessons, and be present for a lot of vocal instruction, and I did take Voice Lessons a long time ago, myself. But I definitely would consider myself a pianist! I would perform again in a heartbeat. If somebody said hey, we need you to come to our event and play, I would drop every single thing I have going on, clear my schedule, and go sit on whatever piano bench they direct me to! 

Can you talk about any upcoming projects or initiatives that you are excited about?

There is always so much going on! But I am very very excited about an upcoming collaboration with some of my dear friends, who have recently launched a product for breast cancer, genetic testing using tears!! I’ve been advising them for at least the last year and helping them design their lunch as they bring this product to the patients who so dearly need it! It’s called Auria, and I’m getting ready to take the test myself as well! I love to see companies who are using science, an entrepreneur mindset to think outside the box, change the world, and bring more offerings to more people all over the country. Together, this is how we change the world!