The Power of Purpose and Courage: Dr. Dan Florey joins FUHN

Dr. Dan Florey proclaims he has a “weird brain;” it’s hard-wired for process. Dan spent 14 years as a computer programmer before entering medical school at 35. As the new Medical Information Lead at the Federally Qualified Health Center Unified Health Network (FUHN), Dan is tasked with guiding FUHN member clinics in using technology to remove barriers and improve processes for providing patient care. The combination of his extensive career in both computer programming and family medicine makes Dan a tremendous asset to the FUHN leadership team and the member clinics. 

Dan retired “a little early” from medicine at 64. However, his retirement venture was short-lived, thanks to a compelling invitation from FUHN Executive Director Mary Maertens to join the organization. Dan knew Mary from when he practiced medicine at Avera Medical Group Tyler, and then served as a Chief Medical Information Officer in the Avera system. 

“In all my years of work in medicine or computers, Mary is the smartest and most competent administrator I have ever worked for,” said Dan. “When she talked to me about FUHN, I asked, ‘How fast can I start?’” 

Living with mission and purpose

For Dan, the people served by FQHCs are the ones he is most passionate about receiving the care they need and deserve. Dan sees himself as a “Sermon on the Mount kind of Christian,” so comforting the sick drives his personal mission and purpose; the latter aligns strongly with those of FUHN and its member clinics. 

Dan shared that many years ago, his son died in infancy, and their family physician took care of him, his wife, and their family. The doctor’s kindness and support sparked the idea that family medicine would be much more meaningful than being a computer programmer. 

One day, Dan’s wife and daughter visited the Minnesota Zoo on a beautiful day, while Dan toiled away at his computer. He thought, “If I am going to work this hard, I should go to medical school.” 

The next Monday, one of Dan’s best friends, who was studying for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), told Dan that if he were serious about medical school, he would postpone taking the MCAT until the spring so they could study together. 

“In my deliberations, I came up with all the reasons medical school was unrealistic, from my family commitments to the fact that I would be 42 when I completed the training,” said Dan. “It came down to whether I was going to be a doctor or a computer programmer for the rest of my career, so I quit my job and went to medical school.” 

Having the courage to embrace change

Dan started as the oldest student in his University of Minnesota Medical School class. After his residency, he began his medical practice in Shakopee and worked there for six-and-a-half years. By then, his daughter had graduated from high school and was in college, so Dan and his wife were no longer tied to where they lived. Thinking rural medicine might be fun, the couple moved to live alongside the Minnesota River outside Montevideo, and he practiced medicine for six years in the independent clinic and hospital there. 

“Eventually, I came to believe that to practice medicine well, it’s helpful to have more corporate support, and I connected with Avera and Mary,” said Dan. “I finished my medical career practicing at Tyler, which turned out to be my calling. I loved serving the community and connecting with patients.” 

Dan is spending his initial weeks in his new role onsite with FUHN member clinics’ providers and staff, examining their workflows and processes. He loves combining his distinct career paths in his final professional chapter. He admires the FUHN member clinics' commitment to collaboration and shared savings opportunities, as they increasingly leverage their respective strengths and learn from each other while pursuing value-based care. 

“Dan knows that strong relationships with patients help promote their health and well-being,” said Mary Maertens, executive director, FUHN. “He recognizes that having smoother workflows increases provider satisfaction, which leads to better patient care and outcomes.”