Zero Patients, One Hurricane, New DPC: How Dr. Lok Built River Rock (Twice!) from Scratch

When Dr. Lok moved to town in December 2023, she arrived with a simple but powerful goal: to build a Direct Primary Care practice from scratch that would truly serve her new community. RiverRock Clinic began as a small, thoughtful, patient-centered vision—built with purpose and a whole lot of heart.

The journey, however, was far from smooth.

Early on, the clinic experienced an unsettling break-in at its first location.

Not long after, a near-flood threatened the clinic space. To protect everything she had worked for, Dr. Lok had to U-Haul most of the clinic out, relocating equipment and supplies just weeks before a major hurricane was forecast to hit.

Then, in 2024, the natural disaster arrived and ultimately destroyed the clinic completely.

Through all of this, Dr. Lok remained committed to serving. In the aftermath of the disaster, she volunteered for days and weeks, supporting neighbors, helping with recovery efforts, and continuing to provide care wherever it was needed—even without a clinic to stand in.

Today, RiverRock Clinic is growing strong once again on the border of Asheville and Weaverville. Rebuilt, resilient, and shaped by every challenge it has overcome, it stands as a testament to perseverance, service, and community.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Anne of DPC Life, a seasoned leader in Direct Primary Care, for featuring our story on your latest episode.

To any doctors considering taking the DPC leap: we hope our journey encourages you. Even with unexpected hurdles—moving to a new place, unsettling setbacks, floods, and natural disasters—you can do it. Your vision matters, and your community will be better for it.