Founding Physician

About this role

👋 Meet knownwell https://www.knownwell.co/, 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 https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/health-tech/hlth25-cvs-health-ventures-backs-knownwells-25m-round-scale-iobesity-care-modelled 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).

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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…