When Dr. Michael Sobel talks about medicine, he doesn’t begin with diagnoses or procedures. He begins with relationships.
After more than 30 years practicing internal medicine, nephrology, and preventive medicine, Dr. Sobel has joined Monarch Concierge MD, where he is returning to the kind of physician-patient relationship that first inspired him to pursue medicine.
“Medicine has always been about taking care of the whole person,” he said. “Having the time to truly listen, understand someone’s health goals, and develop a personalized plan makes all the difference.”
Dr. Sobel’s medical career has taken him from private practice ownership in Ohio to hospital systems and specialty care across the country. A graduate of Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, he completed his residency in internal medicine at Good Samaritan Hospital, affiliated with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in nephrology at the Medical University of South Carolina.
He spent 15 years building a successful internal medicine and nephrology practice in Ohio, where he earned recognition as one of Central Ohio’s Top 10 Physicians and was repeatedly named a Patient’s Top Choice physician. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to delivering thoughtful, evidence-based care while building lasting relationships with his patients.
That philosophy made Monarch Concierge MD a natural fit.
Unlike traditional primary care practices, concierge medicine allows physicians to spend significantly more time with each patient – often 60 to 90 minutes – providing the opportunity to understand not only current medical concerns but also lifestyle, family history, risk factors, and long-term wellness goals.
“For years, health care has moved toward shorter visits and higher patient volumes,” Dr. Sobel said. “Patients deserve better than that. They deserve a physician who has time to listen, answer questions, and help them stay healthy – not just treat illness after it develops.”
While Dr. Sobel is first and foremost an experienced internist, his practice also incorporates functional medicine principles when appropriate. His interest in this approach grew from a deeply personal experience as he helped his own son navigate a serious chronic illness. That journey reinforced his belief that nutrition, exercise, lifestyle modification, and preventive strategies can work alongside traditional medicine to improve health outcomes.
“I believe in practicing evidence-based internal medicine,” he said. “But I also believe there are additional tools that can help patients optimize their health before problems become serious.”
Rather than replacing conventional medical care, Dr. Sobel sees functional medicine as a complementary approach, one that allows him to address the root causes of disease while continuing to provide comprehensive primary care.
Equally important to Dr. Sobel is the culture he found at Monarch Concierge MD.
Dr. Michael Sobel
“When I met the team, I knew their hearts were in the right place,” he said. “Everyone shared the same commitment to putting patients first.”
Those values mirror the practice he built years ago with his wife, Janice, who managed the office while they focused on creating an environment where every patient felt known, respected, and cared for.
“We always answered the phone. We always called patients back. If someone needed us, we were there,” he said. “That’s how medicine should be practiced.”
Now serving patients in the Lowcountry, Dr. Sobel is excited to bring decades of experience, compassion, and personalized care to the Hilton Head community.
For him, joining Monarch Concierge MD means more than a new chapter; it is an opportunity to practice medicine the way he always envisioned.
“This is exactly how I’d like to finish my career,” he said. “Taking care of patients, building relationships, and helping people live healthier lives. I’m grateful to be here.”
