Empowering Physicians Through Financial Wellness
You Don’t Have to Choose Between Purpose and Prosperity
At the Texas Medical Association Annual Conference, Dr. Vasu Kakarlapudi had the honor of speaking during the “Ask the Expert” Lunch and Learn, focused on a topic that’s often left out of traditional medical training: Financial Wellness.
Now, we’re bringing that conversation to you.
Physicians came together to explore how real estate investing can empower them to build passive income, create legacy wealth, and reclaim control over their time.
Why We Do This Work
Q: What inspired you to start Apta Investment Group, and what is your mission?
A: Dr. Vasu Kakarlapudi introduced himself as a practicing ENT surgeon from Louisville, KY, and the founder of Apta Investment Group. He shared that Apta was born not as a capital-raising firm, but as a solution to his own family’s financial stress. What began as a personal journey into real estate investing evolved into a calling to serve fellow physicians. The mission? To restore humanity to medicine by relieving the financial pressure that drives burnout.
“We didn’t build this company to raise capital. We built it to solve real pain—and that became our purpose.”
Dr. Kakarlapudi and his partners have quietly built a track record of over $1 billion in real estate transactions with zero investor capital losses, not because they’re extraordinary, but because they apply the same precision, discipline, and diligence used in surgery to every investment decision.
From Medicine to Investing
Q: How did you get started in real estate investing, and what lessons did you learn along the way?
A: Dr. Kakarlapudi shared that his journey began with medical office buildings gathering a group of partners to take action despite fear and unfamiliarity. As physicians, many assume they lack business acumen, but in reality, the traits that make great doctors, being methodical, patient, and reliable, translate powerfully into real estate investing.
With strategic advantages like strong credit and dependable income, he and his partners secured favorable lending terms, leveraged depreciation to reduce taxable income, and used 1031 exchanges to defer capital gains.
Key lessons learned:
Mindset and Courage: Act even when fear is present.
Risk Reduction: Be intentional about mitigating risk through knowledge and structure.
Play the IRS Playbook: Learn to use the tax code strategically—it’s not just rules, it’s a roadmap for opportunity.
“We’re trained to think we don’t know business, but our skill sets are surprisingly transferable. We just need to believe it and act on it.”
The One Thing Every Physician Should Do Early
Q: What advice would you give to medical students or early-career physicians about building long-term wealth?
A: Dr. Kakarlapudi emphasized the importance of starting financial education early, even during medical school. He encouraged young physicians to use their limited free time to learn the fundamentals of finance and economics, because their greatest asset isn’t just their income, it’s time. By investing in financial literacy early, physicians can make smarter decisions, avoid common pitfalls, and allow compounding to work in their favor over the long haul.
“You’re going to be well-compensated in the future. Start learning how to make that money work for you now, not later.”
Key Takeaway: Even with a demanding schedule, carving out time for basic financial education now will pay dividends for decades to come.
Turning Experience into Wisdom
Q: Where can physicians go to learn more about real estate investing, and what makes Apta different?
A: Dr. Kakarlapudi shared that Apta offers a range of free resources for physicians, including his upcoming book, The Surgical Investor, which candidly details his early mistakes so others can avoid them. He emphasized that while knowledge is now widespread, thanks to AI and tools like ChatGPT, wisdom comes from lived experience and practical application.
“It’s not just about knowing, it’s about doing. We’ve built tools that help physicians apply knowledge in the real world.”
What sets Apta apart:
Wisdom from Experience: Resources built from real mistakes and real wins
Expert Team: Domain specialists who bridge the gap between medicine, business, and real estate
Physician Community: A growing network of like-minded doctors pursuing wellness, balance, and financial freedom together
“When doctors are financially free, they get to practice medicine. And that’s when the whole system gets better, for all of us.”
Choosing the Right Financial Path
Q: What should physicians consider when working with financial advisors or deciding to invest on their own?
A: Dr. Kakarlapudi encouraged physicians to begin by asking one important question: “Are you a fiduciary?” Just as doctors are bound to act in their patients’ best interests, financial advisors should be held to the same standard. He also stressed the importance of alignment, advisors should be investing in the same vehicles they recommend to their clients.
“We’re fiduciaries in medicine. We should expect the same from those guiding our finances.”
When it comes to managing investments personally (DIY) versus using an advisor, Dr. Kakarlapudi shared a balanced view:
Be honest with yourself. Do you genuinely enjoy managing investments?
Assess your risk tolerance. If you don’t love it, consider allocating a smaller portion to DIY investing.
Passion matters. If investing excites you, you may choose to be more hands-on, but make that decision intentionally.
“The key is self-awareness. There’s no one-size-fits-all, but there is a right-size-for-you.”
Ready to Take the First Step?
Join a growing network of physicians who are investing with intention, reclaiming their time, their peace, and their purpose.
When you sign up, you’ll get:
Access to physician-focused investment opportunities
Invitations to future educational events and webinars
Exclusive resources, including The Surgical Investor updates and case studies
Connection with a community of like-minded professionals
Join the Apta Investor Network and start practice medicine by choice, not obligation.
Have questions about Apta Investment Group? Schedule a call with our team today.
