Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Schwimmer, MD MPH FACS.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As an ENT doctor, I always took care of patients with snoring and sleep apnea – but traditional ENT treatment of these conditions was surgical, which was very invasive, very painful, and very expensive.
Around 2001, a number of newer, minimally invasive treatment options became available. I began incorporating these newer, office-based treatments into my ENT practice in 2002. By 2004, I was treating snoring and sleep apnea full time, and had stopped practicing general ENT. So running the Snoring Center, which had begun as an outgrowth of my ENT practice, has been my full time occupation since 2004. So many people desire the minimally invasive, office based treatments that we specialize in that the Snoring Center is now the nation’s leading provider of these services, and we have offices in 11 cities across the country! Because all of our doctors are board certified ENT physicians, we can offer patients a full range of treatment options, from minimally invasive procedures to oral appliances, to CPAP and surgery. This allows us to tailor each patient’s treatment to their particular needs and wants.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The most unpleasant period was about 10 years ago, when we were approached by some business folks who said they wanted to invest in the practice and help us expand more rapidly. As it turned out, they weren’t really interested in investing, and took all the confidential information we shared and started a competing practice in San Francisco. I had to sue them, which was unpleasant. But we prevailed, and they went out of business.
The Snoring Center – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are first and foremost a medical practice – which means that we focus on doing what is best for the patient. Treating snoring and sleep apnea is surprisingly complex, and there simply are no “one size fits all” solutions like people see on line. We offer patients a wide variety of treatment options, and we see our role as helping patients find those treatments that are best for them.
That’s a big distinguishing feature – there are a number of places that offer only one type of treatment, so if you go there, that’s the treatment you are going to get. We pride ourselves on explaining the advantages and disadvantages of all treatment options, and helping patients understand and select the sets of compromises that are best for them.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Like most physicians, I largely define myself professionally. Being a good doctor is terribly important to me. To me, success as a doctor means being well informed and well trained, acting in the best interest of my patients, and treating folks the way I’d want to be treated. As it turns out, if you do those things, the financial part largely takes care of itself. In addition to my work, which I find incredibly gratifying, my family is what I am most thankful for. If I am successful, it is because my wife and daughters are healthy and happy. We all love to travel, so I do wish I more time for that!
Contact Info:
- Address: The Snoring Center
6901 Snider Plaza,
Dallas, TX 75205 - Website: SnoringCenter.com
- Phone: 214-369-2345
- Email: info@SnoringCenter.com
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