by Daniel Duric, for the Newport Dispatch

NEWPORT — Dr. Umair Malik, founder of Blue Spruce Health, has been named the recipient of the Visionary Culture Award at Hint Summit 2026, a national Direct Primary Care conference held this week in Nashville, Tennessee.

The award recognizes a healthcare leader who has built a practice environment that prioritizes the patient-provider relationship, according to the organization. Malik was selected from hundreds of practices nationwide for what the conference described as his “Care Over Codes” philosophy.

“To be recognized at a national level by peers who are all working to fix a broken system is an incredible honor,” Malik said. “This award validates our mission to return to the heart of medicine.”

Blue Spruce Health operates on the Direct Primary Care model, which offers cash-based care through a monthly membership rather than billing insurance. The practice has expanded to locations in Newport, St. Johnsbury and Williston and features 60-minute appointments, transparent pricing and direct digital access to care teams.

Malik also serves as president of a free health clinic in South Burlington, where he leads more than 50 volunteers providing care to uninsured residents.

Blue Spruce Health is marking its fifth anniversary this year.