Primary Care 101: Choosing the Right Provider for You and Your Family with Dr. John Podkowa, Executive Chief of Primary Care - at Southcoast Health
Dr. John Podkowa is the Executive Chief of Primary Care at Southcoast Health.
He began this role in 2026 and has served as a Southcoast Health Primary Care Provider since 2009.
Today, he is responsible for leading Southcoast Health’s Primary Care Practice in delivering exceptional patient care, ensuring excellent quality outcomes, and improving access to primary care services. Together with the primary care team, he focuses on partnering with numerous specialties across the Southcoast Health System to strengthen patient care and better serve our community.
During his tenure at Southcoast Health, Dr. Podkowa has served as the Medical Director for the Southcoast Health Network, a Regional Chief of Primary Care, and Chief Medical Information Officer and Senior Vice President. His leadership has always been rooted in improving how care is delivered and experienced.
Dr. Podkowa is board-certified in Internal Medicine and continues to see patients in Dartmouth. His commitment to compassion extends far beyond his clinical role, and he has partnered with Southcoast Health to establish the Nicole Podkowa Patient & Caregiver Fund, which provides support to Southcoast Health Cancer Care patients in need.
Before joining Southcoast Health, Dr. Podkowa earned his medical degree from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Pennsylvania. He then completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he served as Chief Resident. He was also a National Health Corps scholar and a member of the Osteopathic Honors Fraternity at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Podkowa dicusses:
His role as the Executive Chief of Primary Care
What “primary care” really means and why it’s such a critical part of overall health
3 How the primary care setting is personal, accessible and proactive at Southcoast Health
4 How having a strong relationship with a primary care provider impacts long-term health outcomes
The key differences between Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Pediatrics
How a patient determines whether they should see a family physician versus an internal medicine provider
What types of patients or conditions are best suited for Internal Medicine
How Family Medicine differs in its approach, especially when caring for patients across all age group
When a patient should transition from a pediatrician to an adult primary care provider
The situations where multiple primary care specialties collaborate to support a patient’s care
What role the Nurse Practitioner plays within a primary care practice
How the care from a Nurse Practitioner differs from — or complement — that of a physician
In what situations a patient might choose to see a Nurse Practitioner instead of a doctor
Why routine check-ups, physical exams, and preventive screenings are so important — even for people who feel healthy
How primary care helps patients manage chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease over time
How often a patinet should schedule a physical exam or annual visit
What patients should bring or prepare before their primary care appointment
When someone should contact their primary care provider versus going to urgent care or the emergency room