Measure What Matters, Then Make It Human with David Sanchez
Patient-centered growth isn’t a slogan; it’s a system. When a former ER nurse becomes a healthcare marketing founder, the lens shifts from vanity metrics to real outcomes: a booked appointment, a calmer mind, a clear next step. That was the thread running through our conversation with David Sanchez, whose path from emergency rooms to recovery programs ultimately led to Digitalis Medical. His core point is simple and rare: ethical marketing is care extended. The same empathy that reads a room in triage can translate into messaging that meets people where they are, in plain words, across the channels they already use. The goal is not traffic; it’s relief, clarity, and access.
To get there, foundations matter more than hacks. David urges teams to measure correctly before they scale. GA4’s customer journey view shows how someone first arrives, what sustains interest, and what finally drives contact. Pair that with Google Tag Manager so events like calls, form fills, and booking clicks become visible. Then focus on page-level conversion: if a hundred visitors arrive, how many act? Dial in copy, calls-to-action, and page structure until the answer rises. Educators will note the overlap: this is needs analysis by another name. We’re rewriting a home page like we’d revise a lesson—clear objective, simple steps, and no jargon blocking progress.
Education is the engine behind discoverability. Keyword research is not about stuffing; it’s about service. Use free tools like Google’s Keyword Planner and AnswerThePublic to find questions people actually ask. Then respond with concise articles, explainer videos, and checklists that translate medical terms into daily language. This is how dwell time grows and bounce drops: content that feels like a guide at the elbow, not a brochure on a counter. David points out that even printed materials—pamphlets, handouts, clinic flyers—are dual-purpose when they teach and invite action. Whether we call it a funnel or a journey map, each stage needs distinct messages: awareness eases fear, consideration offers options, and decision reduces friction.
Local visibility is leverage. Clinics and service orgs often ignore the Google Business Profile, which functions like a mini-site on Google’s domain. Fill every field, list specific services, add fresh photos, keep hours accurate, and publish short updates. Then syndicate that data to high-authority directories—Apple Maps, Bing Places, Yelp—via an automation tool like Semrush Local. These citations reinforce trust signals and can light up voice search on Alexa. For paid lift without bloat, test Google Local Services Ads where available; the “Google Guaranteed” badge pairs social proof with cost control by paying per lead instead of per click.
Ethics live in the details. Patient stories require documented consent. Communications demand secure systems, not casual calendars and texts. Protect privacy with HIPAA-compliant platforms, device safeguards, and clear internal protocols. You cannot build a values-driven brand on leaky tools. The practical upside: trust compounds. Reviews carry more weight, referrals flow, and your educational materials are shared without hesitation. When the system is safe and the message is kind, marketing becomes an extension of clinical care: answer real questions, make the next step obvious, and respect the person behind the search.
Finally, ship small wins weekly. Run a 16-minute site test with a real ideal patient: watch them navigate, note friction, and fix copy or layout. Publish one clear article that answers a top-searched question in your specialty. Tune your call-to-action so booking or calling is one click, not a treasure hunt. This rhythm—measure, teach, invite—turns strategy into service and attention into outcomes that matter.
🔗 Website and Social Links:
Please visit David Sanchez’s website and social media links below.
Photo by Tobias Dziuba: https://www.pexels.com/photo/scribbled-notes-on-a-computer-keyboard-942331/
Jackie Pelegrin
Instructional Designer, Author, College Professor, and Podcast Host
Jackie, an Arizona native, leverages decades of experience as an instructional designer within both higher education and the corporate world. She holds an MBA and a Master of Science in Instructional Design and Technology, both acquired through online learning. In addition to her full-time role, Jackie serves as an adjunct instructor, teaching online courses at Grand Canyon University. During her leisure time, she delights in reading books across a range of genres, enjoying movies and TV shows, playing games, listening to uplifting music, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Beyond the Burnout: Finding Your Why in Education with Dr. Albert Bramante
