Healing Through Personal Care

by Charlotte Kovalchuk • photos courtesy Dr. Johnny Bebeau

As a clinical director at a small family practice in North Carolina, Johnny Bebeau saw firsthand the challenges physicians face in today’s complicated, fast-paced healthcare system that make it difficult for them to build patient connections. "I felt like the best way to solve those problems was to go to medical school,” he says, adding that he had previously studied English as an undergrad. After completing his studies at an osteopathic school in South Carolina and a residency at Baylor Scott & White in Temple, Dr. Bebeau has found his way to Jarrell as Your Personal MD’s newest doctor.

Personalized Patient Care

In 2015, Dr. Loy Graham launched Your Personal MD with the goal of providing direct primary care – a membership-based alternative payment arrangement between a patient and doctor that lets clients pay a low monthly fee and choose their own services. It also limits the number of people a doctor cares for, which enables the physician to create and maintain a close-knit doctor/patient relationship. Several years later, Dr. Graham began looking to add a second doctor to her growing practice.

The timing was perfect for Dr. Bebeau, who was finishing his residency and searching for a practice where he could connect with patients. Your Personal MD’s direct primary care model resonated deeply with that vision.

“The traditional American healthcare system is built on an insurance-based platform, which often complicates the doctor-patient relationship,” he explains. “Direct primary care removes the insurance player, restoring a more direct and personal connection between doctor and patient.”

Dr. Bebeau is excited to serve patients of all ages as well as educate the community about preventative medicine and ways to integrate diet, exercise, and other healthy habits into daily lifestyles. “I love working to keep patients out of the hospital,” he says.

Collaborative Team

Having recently joined Dr. Graham’s small but dedicated team, which includes a medical assistant and clinic coordinator, Dr. Bebeau is enthusiastic about the collaborative environment and the opportunity to provide personalized care. He adds that his time shadowing Dr. Graham in December during his training was an inspiring step forward. “Seeing how well she knew her patients and how much time she spent with them motivated me even more to come practice in this environment. Patients don’t feel rushed, and physicians don’t feel rushed. It’s the kind of practice I’ve always wanted to be a part of.”

As Dr. Bebeau begins his new role in Jarrell, he is eager to contribute to the health and well-being of a growing community. “I’m excited to be serving a place that hasn’t had a big medical presence,” he says.

Meet Dr. Bebeau

Born in Beaumont, Texas, Johnny Bebeau grew up surrounded by anesthesiologists – his dad and grandfather, who both practiced in Beaumont before Johnny’s dad moved his family to Florida when Johnny was about 6 years old. Johnny returned to his roots to start his family medical residency after his wife Morgan, who had previously completed cardiac anesthesia fellowship training in Temple, was hired as teaching faculty at Baylor Scott & White - Temple in the anesthesia department in 2021. Morgan currently works in Temple and she, Johnny, and their three daughters have enjoyed living in Belton for the last three years. “A lot of my family live here. It’s been nice to be back,” he says.

He admits his life can get hectic with three daughters – one just turned 2 and 3-month-old twin daughters – and his wife also working in the medical field. Still, he is thankful for his flexible schedule at Your Personal MD, which enables him to prioritize family time and have a healthy work-life balance. “It allows me to be home with my family and still be there for my patients.”

When it comes to life outside of work, both Johnny and Morgan love being outdoors and staying active “as best we can in ways that having three young daughters will allow us,” he says. Another one of his favorite pastimes, smoking meats, has been reignited since moving back here. “I’ve been trying to earn my place back in Texas.”

For more information about Dr. Bebeau, visit yourpersonalmd.net.