The LAFP is excited to recognize Creighton Shute, DO, as our March Member of the Month. Dr. Shute is the owner and founding physician of Elite DPC in Lafayette. He has experience in military medicine, emergency medicine and is Board Certified in Family Medicine.

Dr. Shute grew up as the oldest of eight children in Opelousas. He was born into a family of several physicians, including both of his grandfathers and both of his uncles. After graduating from high school, he served on active duty in the United States Navy. Following his Naval services, he returned and graduated from University of Louisiana – Lafayette. He attended medical school at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Georgia Campus and completed his Family Medicine residency at Martin Army Community Hospital in Columbus Georgia. (Fort Moore formally for Benning) graduating in 2012.

We asked Dr. Shute how he chose to become a Family Physician. He stated, “I like to say I found family medicine by accident. The truth is that God made me for family medicine, but it took me a long time to realize it. Before starting medical school, I thought that I wanted to go into surgery because I enjoy working with my hands and assumed that I would enjoy the teamwork aspect of the OR. As I did medical school rotations, I struggled to find a specialty that fully fit me and my love of connecting with people. During my fourth year of medical school, I developed a relationship with a very old general surgeon who did a little bit of everything, including delivering babies and primary care. He suggested that I consider family medicine. I eventually found my way into family medicine residency training in the Army.”

Dr. Shute is one of the leading physicians in Louisiana practicing in a direct primary care setting. We asked him to talk about what led him to this decision. He described his career path, “After residency training, I practiced full-time in the Army until I was discharged in 2014. After that, I came home and initially worked full-time in the emergency departments of several local hospitals. I also had a traditional family practice as an employed physician with Lafayette General Hospital. Over time, I became disillusioned by the obstacles I felt were keeping me from providing the type of care I wanted to provide for each patient. I was introduced to the concept of Direct Primary Care in 2013. After a significant amount of research, I decided to close my practice in 2018 and start my own Direct Primary Care practice here in Lafayette. Elite DPC has been the answer to all of my prayers for a career in medicine that I can enjoy for a very long time. While in fee-for- service, I used to dream of the day I would retire and no longer have to deal with the daily stress of traditional healthcare. Now I love what I do every day, and I have no intention of ever retiring.

Dr. Shute talked more about how important his direct primary care practice has been. He continued, “I can't think of a single, most memorable family medicine experience, but as I am trying to think of one, I am reminded of all of the times in Direct Primary Care that I am able to care for patients in times that would've otherwise caused them to go to an emergency department or urgent care to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In those times, I'm able to care for those patients thoroughly and timely without having to make them wait for hours or days and charge them an exorbitant amount of money. I am reminded of all the times that patients are surprised by how quickly they are taken care of for no extra expense.

Dr. Shute lives in Lafayette with his wife Jennifer and their seven children. When he is not at a soccer or baseball game, he enjoys golf, flying, and fitness. “Most of all, I enjoy hanging out with my wife and kids and marveling at how perfect all of our craziness is. It's just a Shute Show!”

LAFP’s Member of the Month program highlights Louisiana family physicians in the Weekly Family Medicine Update and on the LAFP website. We feature a biography and a Q&A with a different LAFP member each month and his or her unique approach to family medicine. If you know an outstanding family physician colleague who you think should be featured as a Member of the Month or if you’d like to tell your own story, nominate yourself or your colleague by contacting Lee Ann Albert at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 225.923.3313.