Independent Physician Spotlight: Ajay Bhatnagar

New feature! We put out a call to celebrate independent physicians and the response was overwhelming. So we’re featuring an entrepreneurial doctor who’s decided to go (or remain!) independent, despite all the odds, to restore their autonomy and provide better patient care. This week, meet Ajay Bhatnagar, who’s redefining prostate cancer care with his own practice Prostate Cancer Institute of America. You can connect further with Ajay on LinkedIn.

1. Ajay, give us a little background on you and your practice. I’m a board-certified Radiation Oncologist, and I’ve been treating patients for nearly 20 years. After spending much of my career working for corporate-backed practices, I realized the system wasn’t built for patients — it was built for profit.

Men were often steered away from effective treatments like brachytherapy, not because they didn’t work, but because they weren’t as financially rewarding for the system. That didn’t sit right with me. That’s why I founded the Prostate Cancer Institute of America, the only practice in the country focused exclusively on low-dose rate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer. My goal was simple: give men access to a highly effective, minimally invasive treatment that too many were never even told about.

2. What were the biggest challenges when you decided to go independent? Walking away from corporate medicine was the easy part. Building something new — that was the challenge. Getting credentialed with insurance companies was the biggest hurdle. In a large market like Phoenix, that process can feel endless, but it’s crucial because patients need coverage. Luckily, I had a friend who connected me with a consulting team that specializes in helping practices like mine get off the ground. That support made all the difference.

3. What have been the biggest benefits—for you and your patients? Would you like to see more physicians take this path? For me, the biggest benefit is freedom. I can treat my patients based on what’s best for them, not what’s best for a billing code. That freedom has been professionally fulfilling in ways I didn’t expect. For my patients, the benefit is choice. They get to learn about options — like brachytherapy — that many never hear about elsewhere. And yes, I’d like to see more physicians consider independence, but only if it makes sense for their life and practice. It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay.

4. What advice would you give to a physician considering this path, or someone deciding on a career direction after training? Do your homework. Talk to other doctors who’ve done it. Understand the risks and rewards, because independence isn’t for everyone. Figure out what truly matters to you — your priorities will guide your decision. And if, after digging deep, you find that independence isn’t your fit, there’s no shame in that. Better to know before making the leap.

5. Are there resources you recommend for physicians considering this move? Your colleagues are your best resource. I’m active in the Arizona Medical Association’s private practice section, and connecting with peers who are walking this same path has been invaluable. There are also consultants who specialize in the business side of medicine. Use them. You don’t have to do it all yourself. Focus on your patients and lean on experts for everything else.

6. How can other physicians support what you’re doing? Connect with me on LinkedIn, share and support the content we put out, and if you’re a physician interested in collaborating or offering brachytherapy to your patients, reach out to me. Introductions to other doctors are always welcome, and if you know someone who might benefit from seeing us, send them our way. At the end of the day, my mission is simple: to expand access to effective, patient-centered prostate cancer care. Any support that furthers that mission means the world.

Connect with Ajay on LinkedIn and learn more about his practice here.