Call or text us: 727-314-6472
Our Mission
For the past year, there has been a revolving thought in my head:
There has to be a better way.
I love my career but I didn’t love my job, and talking to my colleagues, I am not the only one who feels this way.
When I began to analyze my existence as a doctor, I realized what fueled me was the day-to-day patient interactions: the counseling, educating, and consoling. I wanted more of this, but too often my days were hijacked by paperwork and documentation to meet the hurdles and bureaucracy required to sustain a practice these days. There is a reason why big hospital groups are buying up small practices—the rules don’t favor the small practice anymore and the patient is an afterthought. Medicine is becoming as cold as an operating table.
I wanted to try something new.
I discovered Direct Primary Care at the perfect time in my career. It combines my belief in the importance of primary care in preventing more serious and expensive health issues and works to restore a more compassionate doctor-patient relationship. I look forward to taking this journey with you.
Dr. Brett Levine - April 2018
What is Direct Primary Care?
Sunnyside is a patient-focused Direct Primary Care (DPC) healthcare practice.
DPC is a successful model emerging throughout the US.
DPC works through a subscription-based service, and for a lower monthly fee than most gyms, you gain access to
full-spectrum primary care services.
At Sunnyside
We're passionate about the patient.
We put the patient first when making all decisions: taking away corporate interference in the doctor-patient relationship.
Because we cut out the "middleman", we're able to provide affordable, direct access to your physician.
This means no extra costs associated with health insurance billing, codes, and reimbursement.
Without this paperwork, we can bring you what you need: Access to dedicated, knowledgeable physicians.
Your health should be your primary focus, but too often, it is neglected because of:
High Deductibles
Long Wait Times
Insurance Hassles
Hidden Costs
We should think about health insurance like car insurance.
When we take our car in for maintenance, like an oil change or tire rotation, we don’t submit a claim to our insurance.
Why?
Because preventative services that prevent future and more expensive complications are more affordable (not to mention the hassle of submitting a claim for such a basic thing).
Primary care services should work the same way, and DPC is the most efficient vehicle to deliver those services. Yes, like car insurance, health insurance is important because accidents happen, but we all know health insurance is not a health care. DPC is a health care plan.
For members with insurance
Sunnyside recommends using insurance for more expensive health care needs like ER visits, specialist, and certain prescriptions.
However, Sunnyside wants to educate its members that self pay options for services like labs and imaging are often much cheaper if they don't go through insurance.
Sunnyside is negotiating with local labs and imaging centers to find the best self pay rates for you.
Through this innovative model, DPC provides you with the regular maintenance your body requires.
Together, as a team, we will help elevate your health!
Learn More About Membership Plans and Business Plans.
The People Behind Your Care
Dr. Brett Levine
Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician
He graduated with a degree in Osteopathic Medicine at Nova Southeastern University, and completed his residency in Family Medicine at Largo Medical Center.
Dr. Levine established LevMed in 2018 and is proud to have created a patient centered practice where patients feel at ease.
"This is the kind of rewarding and fulfilling practice I wish every patient and medical provider could be apart of. Primary care doesn't have to be the assembly line, transactional experience that we have been forced to accept."
After 15 years in St. Pete, Dr. Levine recently moved to the Sunnyside neighborhood of Denver, Colorado but is continuing telemedicine services while Dr. Bugg takes over day to day operations. One of these days he hopes to offer the same compassionate, accessible care to his new community.
Dr. Alex Bugg
Board-Certified Family Medicine physician
He grew up in a small farming town in Kentucky, then completed his B.S. in Agriculture Biotechnology at the University of Kentucky.
Upon moving to Florida, he earned a Master’s Degree in Medical Science, then graduated with a degree in Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Medicine in Bradenton, Florida, before completing his residency training at Bayfront Health in downtown St. Petersburg.
Coming from a small town where there wasn't a large specialist presence, Dr. Bugg is aware of what a full spectrum family practice can bring to a community.
He is a compassionate proactive physician who enjoys doing procedures when necessary but realizes the preventative power of healthy eating and exercise.
Dr. Bugg is passionate about LGBTQ+ health, HIV care and travel medicine.
In his spare time Dr. Bugg enjoys weekend sports leagues, cooking for friends, beach days and traveling the world.
Melissa Wolfe
Office Manager
Is an integral part of Sunnnyside.
From rooming patients, to drawing labs and managing the day-to-day operations, she keeps our office running smoothly.
Melissa is Registered Medical Assistant and Certified Phlebotomy Technician with over 20 years of experience in the medical field. She is currently working towards her RN degree.
Melissa has gained invaluable experience working in primary care, geriatric, urology, general surgery, and neurosurgery setting.
She is a 4th generation Floridian and an Air Force veteran.
Melissa has 3 sons and 2 grandsons and lives in Bradenton.
Melissa is a key ingredient to achieving Sunnyside's mission of delivering high-quality, accessible patient care.