Our Story
We are a couple of family medicine doctors that have long dreamt of starting our own practice and serving our patients outside of the restrictions of a corporate hospital system and the insurance system. At Carytown DPC, you’ll receive primary care with a doctor who truly knows and understands you, giving you access to comprehensive, personalized care. Offering the kind of primary care other doctors don’t have time for, we focus on proactive, preventive health to catch potential issues early and keep you thriving.
We’ve created a practice where we can dedicate time to really get to know our patients, understand their unique needs, and work together to develop tailored treatment plans. We believe that healthcare is best when it’s built on trust, partnership, and a genuine connection.
Michaela Varys, MD
Ziya Aktig, MD
I grew up in Pittsburgh, PA and went to medical school in Prague to be closer to my extended family. It was there that I met Ziya. Family, meaningful connections, and long-term relationships are incredibly important to me, so it’s no surprise that I was drawn to Family Medicine. We completed our residency in the Richmond area, fell in love with the city, and decided to build our family and life here.
I'm a double board-certified Family Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine physician, passionate about empowering patients to lead longer, healthier, and happier lives. My interests include disease prevention, early detection, chronic disease management and remission through lifestyle changes, and the use of point-of-care ultrasound. I take a holistic approach to care and enjoy treating patients of all ages.
I believe healthcare should be a collaborative discussion, not a rushed appointment, which is why we opened a Direct Primary Care practice - to give patients the time, attention, and partnership they deserve. When I'm not caring for my patients, I enjoy spending quality time with my family - including our toddler and dog - especially in the great outdoors, along with reading and traveling. I look forward to partnering with you on your health journey!
I was born in Cyprus; a small island in the Mediterranean. The drive to utilize my love of science to help people, or humanity in general, is why I became a doctor. I moved to London, England at the age of sixteen and lived there for two years. I then moved to Prague to study medicine at Charles University; a medical school steeped in heritage, that even predates the discovery of the Americas! There, I met my wife Michaela. After graduation, we married and moved to the US together. We completed our family medicine residency training in Richmond, VA.
I consider prevention and continuity the most important pillars of family medicine. During my training, I took a particular interest in ultrasound guided diagnostics and procedures, hospital medicine, rural medicine and advanced wound care.
Besides my role at Carytown DPC, I also work at a local hospital as a hospitalist physician. These roles synergize well: I am always up to date on "what is putting people in the hospital" and can use this information to prevent hospitalizations. I am also comfortable managing more complex patients in the outpatient setting when possible, instead of sending them to the ER.
My hobbies include cycling (I am often on the Capital Trail), beekeeping and brewing. A patient once described me as a "serial dabbler", which I found amusing, but accurate. I have a goal of completing my first triathlon in 2025 (don't ask me how training is coming along!)
Our Office
Hours
By appointment only
Address (parking in the back)
3422 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA, 23221