Two Canton physicians are betting more than $2 million on a different kind of healthcare experience for the North Country. Dr. Thushan Pathmalingam and Dr. Thivisa Rajagopal broke ground recently on North Core Medical, a purpose-built clinic on State Highway 310 that will operate on a Direct Primary Care model when it opens its doors in early 2027.
Rather than billing insurance for each visit, the practice will charge patients a monthly membership fee in exchange for longer appointments, same-day or next-day access, and direct communication with their physicians by phone, text, or secure message. Each doctor plans to cap patient panels at around 500 people, a fraction of the typical load in traditional practices, allowing them to focus on building relationships and keeping people healthy rather than rushing through visits.
The 8,400-square-foot facility will feature ten examination rooms, modern technology, dedicated spaces for patient education and wellness programs, and spacious waiting areas designed to make every visit feel less clinical. The doctors chose to build from scratch instead of renovating an existing space because they wanted a clinic tailored specifically to the needs of the community they have called home for seven years.
Both physicians are board-certified family doctors with deep ties to the region. Pathmalingam serves as medical director of the Medication-Assisted Treatment Program at the St. Lawrence County Jail, while Rajagopal brings additional board certification in obesity medicine and special interests in preventive care, women’s health, and healthy aging. Together they plan to offer comprehensive primary care across all ages, including chronic disease management, weight management, same-day acute visits, and telehealth options for non-members as availability allows.
Patients will still be encouraged to carry insurance for hospitalizations, surgeries, specialist care, and emergencies since Direct Primary Care is not insurance but rather a complement to it. The practice also plans to dispense common generic medications on-site at discounted prices and help members find lower-cost laboratory testing and imaging services. A website launching later this month will include membership pricing and enrollment details as construction continues toward the projected opening date.
