Founding Physician

👋 Meet knownwell , weight-inclusive healthcare for all . Join a dynamic company that is changing the way obesity care is delivered. We offer weight management, primary care, nutrition counseling, and health coaching. Our care model combines in-clinic and virtual care to bring support to patients where and when they need it. Backed by $50M in funding—including a $25M round led by CVS Health Ventures with support from a16z Bio + Health, Flare Capital, MassMutual, and Intermountain Ventures—we’re scaling fast and expanding access to evidence-based obesity care nationwide. knownwell® is seeking a Founding Physician to lead the establishment of our inaugural Northern California site in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is a unique, high-impact opportunity for a physician who wants to shape a market from the ground up — combining clinical leadership with the strategic work of building a new practice, before stepping into full-time clinical care once the clinic opens its doors. As an active member of the clinical practice, you will work alongside a team of committed clinicians, APCs, registered dietitians, registered nurses, and health coaches to provide comprehensive medical care, with a specific focus on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of obesity and obesity-related conditions in a primary care setting. This position offers the opportunity to build a knownwell site from its earliest foundation and make a lasting impact on how Bay Area patients experience weight-inclusive, compassionate care. This role is structured in three phases:

• Phase 1 (Remote, Pre-Launch): You'll lend your credentials and clinical leadership to secure participation in local Clinically Integrated Networks (CINs) and other key partnerships.
• Phase 2 (Remote, Pre-Launch): You’ll work with the knownwell recruiting team and leadership to build the inaugural San Francisco care team — including clinicians and support staff.
• Phase 3 (Full-Time, Hybrid, Clinic Launch): Beginning just prior to clinic opening (anticipated Q4 2027), you'll transition into full-time clinical practice, seeing patients both in person and remotely, as well as providing oversight and mentorship to the site's APCs. Schedule :
• Phase 1 and 2 — flexible, low-touch, remote
• Phase 3 — Monday–Friday with hybrid, flexible scheduling Clinic location : South Bay, San Francisco Bay Area (exact location TBD) EMR: Athena On-Call: Phone call only, in a rotation with initial triage by nurses (Phase 3). Compensation Structure
• Phase 1 and 2: Monthly rate, reflective of low-touch, remote involvement (credentialing/CIN participation and recruiting support).
• Phase 3: Standard full-time physician compensation program Requirements
• Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) required from an accredited medical school.
• Active, unrestricted license to practice in California, or willingness to obtain. Willingness to obtain additional licensures if needed based upon business needs.
• Board certification in Family Practice or Internal Medicine.
• Certification with the American Board of Obesity Medicine highly preferred, but not required.
• Valid DEA required with no restrictions and prescribing authority (per state practice regulation).
• BLS certification current.
• Minimum of two (2) years of in-person clinical experience in an ambulatory care setting, family or internal medicine; experience in chronic condition management and weight management preferred. If no formal training in weight management, willingness to participate in knownwell clinical education and training plan for weight management and/or pursue ABOM certification.
• Willing to supervise Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) as deemed necessary and appropriate by the practice. Abide by California-specific rules and regulations as a collaborating physician.
• Experience or interest in market development — credentialing, network-building, and community/CIN partnerships — given the founding nature of this role.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Dedicated to staying current with the latest developments in primary care and obesity medicine.
• Believes in inclusive, compassionate care.
• Believes in shared decision-making with a patient. Honors the goals a patient has for their health, and partners with them to help them achieve those goals.
• High emotional intelligence and the ability to make a patient feel at ease — without judgment and without shame.
• Willing and excited to try new technologies that are both patient- and clinician-oriented.
• Excited to work with a collaborative team of physicians, APCs, registered dietitians, medical assistants, health coaches, and other staff.
• Must have access to high-speed internet and phone lines.
• We are unable to sponsor visas currently, so you must be authorized to work in the United States. Responsibilities Phase 1: Founding & Market Development (Remote)
• Use your credentials to support applications and participation in local Clinically Integrated Networks (CINs) and other strategic partners ahead of clinic launch.
• Partner closely with knownwell recruiting to source, interview, and help select the inaugural San Francisco care team, including clinicians and support staff.
• Provide clinical perspective and input on site readiness, staffing plans, and market-specific operational needs.
• Support relationship-building with local healthcare providers, health systems, and community partners to lay the groundwork for referral networks ahead of opening.
• Act as an early clinical voice for the San Francisco market, representing knownwell in a low-touch, remote capacity. Phase 2: Full-Time Clinical Practice & Team Leadership (Remote)
• Transition to full-time clinical responsibilities beginning just prior to clinic opening (anticipated Q4 2027).
• Provide clinical oversight and mentorship to the site's Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs), consistent with California collaborating physician requirements.
• See patients directly, both in-person and virtually, delivering comprehensive primary care with a focus on obesity and obesity-related conditions.
• Continue to strengthen local referral relationships and community partnerships established during Phase 1.
• Act as a liaison between the practice and external stakeholders, including healthcare organizations and insurance companies.
• Provide clinical guidance to APCs, medical assistants, and nursing teams as assigned. Practice Exceptional Medicine Within knownwell (Hybrid)
• Sees adults ages 18+ for primary care, often with a focus on metabolic health, or adults for metabolic health only. Shares a panel with APC(s).
• Hybrid care delivery: virtual and in-person patient care.
• Virtual visits using audio and visual technology to complete patient examinations, evaluations, assessments, diagnoses, and treatment plans.
• Embodies the knownwell mission and values of patient inclusivity in how care is delivered.
• Coordinates with the broader care team to ensure the patient has the support they need.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications recommended, but not required.
• Documents as necessary to ensure accurate billing, including review of remote patient monitoring data.
• Communicates with patients in a timely manner through the patient portal for questions and concerns that have been pre-screened to necessitate a clinician response. Ensure Patients Feel Known Well
• Ensures your patient panel is open to any individual, regardless of their current health status and comorbidities.
• Listens to the aspirations of the patient and ensures care is tailored to the patient's unique health journey.
• Provides an environment in which patients feel comfortable and free from judgment.
• Offers exceptional encouragement as patients reach their goals. Coordinate Across the Collaborative Care Team
• Escalates any concerns to your dedicated leadership team.
• Provides clinical guida