Primary & preventive care
Office visits for routine care, new symptoms, chronic conditions, prevention, and comprehensive exams.
Membership primary careHouston Heights
A doctor who
knows your story.
A good history. A careful physical. A stethoscope. Time to talk things through.
Secure scheduling through the current patient booking partner.
Always your own doctor
Every visit. Every call. Every time.
Enough time
To be heard, understood, and cared for thoroughly.
Direct access
No call centers, phone trees, or rushed visits.
Keep it practical
Prevention, treatment, and fewer unnecessary prescriptions.
Why Alere
“To truly understand your story is the key to how to help you get better.”
Alere is Latin for nourish. The name reflects a simple idea: health is shaped by much more than a lab result or a prescription.
AlereMD is a small family medicine practice. Dr. Rismyhr has the time to take a proper history, examine you, and stay involved in your care.
What we do
Primary care with time
for a proper visit.
Food and health
Food assessments, cooking, traditional food systems, and practical help with the way you eat at home.
Weight loss
Individual plans, close follow-up, and a discussion of current medical options when they are appropriate.
Medication review
A review of prescriptions and supplements, including when it may be time to reduce or stop a medication.
Office, video, and home visits
Same or next day office and video visits. Home, nursing, and rehabilitation visits are available when medically appropriate.
Specialist care
Referrals, care coordination, and help making sense of specialist or hospital care.
Meet your physician
Charles
Rismyhr, MD
Board-certified in family medicine. Fluent in Spanish. Proficient in Mandarin.
Charles grew up in Singapore, China, Panama, and the United States. His father worked in international shipping. His medical training took him to the Caribbean and England, then to Brooklyn for residency.
His grandfather was a small-town physician and cattle rancher in Panama. That relationship between food, land, and health stayed with him. He has practiced in Houston since 2022.
He lives in the Heights with his wife and young daughter, runs, writes, cooks, makes yogurt, and bakes sourdough every week. You may find a loaf or a tray of grissini in the office.
Read the PaperCity profileAt the table
Food belongs in
the conversation.
AlereMD treats food as part of medical care. It matters where food comes from, how it is prepared, and how it fits into daily life.
Home food assessments that look at more than nutrient counts.
Outings to Houston farmers’ markets, cheesemakers, butchers, and bakers.
Books, cooking, and useful recommendations for the table at home.
Membership
What membership
costs.
The practice is kept small so there is time for longer visits and direct communication.
AgeFounders’ monthly rateStandard monthly rate
18-29$100$100
30-44$190$250
45+$220$280
Founders’ pricing is available for a limited time and honored for two years.
Each additional household member receives 10% off. Founders’ family maximum: $500/month for up to two adults and two adult children.
Pay monthly, quarterly, or annually by automatic debit or credit card. Ask the practice about Bitcoin or Monero.
Fees are designed to be eligible for HSA, HRA, or FSA funds; confirm with your tax advisor or plan administrator.
Patient reviews
“He listens closely to my concerns and proposes treatment with me as an individual in mind. I never feel like I’m just a number.”AlereMD patient
“He is everything you would want in a doctor: caring, concerned, and compassionate. He listened to what I needed for a better quality of life.”Rhondalyn Beasley
“Very smart, very professional, and his referrals are spot on. He is good at getting things done at the visit instead of putting things off.”Mary
What is membership medicine?+
Membership medicine keeps the practice small. The monthly or annual fee supports longer visits and direct access to your doctor without call centers or phone trees.
What does membership include?+
Membership includes an annual comprehensive physical in addition to insurance or Medicare wellness visits. It also includes follow-up by phone, text, email, or video when appropriate, plus support with nutrition, fitness, stress, and sleep. Members may join food-focused outings and events.
Do you bill insurance and Medicare?+
Yes. AlereMD accepts most major insurance plans, and Dr. Rismyhr is a participating Medicare provider. Membership does not replace health insurance; coverage is still important for outside testing, specialists, surgery, emergency care, and hospitalization.
Who is the practice for?+
AlereMD provides primary medical care for adults 18 and older. It suits people who want direct access to their doctor, more time at visits, second opinions, and a private setting.
Do you make home visits?+
Yes, when medically appropriate and on a case-by-case basis. Dr. Rismyhr may see members in their home, nursing facility, or rehabilitation facility when getting to the office is difficult.
What happens after hours or while I am traveling?+
Members can contact Dr. Rismyhr for urgent concerns in the evenings and on weekends. While traveling, many concerns can be handled virtually, and he can help direct local in-person care when needed. Life- or limb-threatening emergencies should always go to 911 or the nearest emergency room.
Can we meet before I join?+
Yes. Prospective members can request a complimentary, non-clinical introductory visit in person or virtually to make sure the practice is a good fit.
Can I cancel my membership?+
Membership may be canceled after the first three months with thirty days’ notice. Prepaid annual fees are reimbursed for the remaining months. Rejoining later may depend on availability and then-current pricing.
The practice
In the Heights.
1302 North Shepherd Drive, on the third floor.
1302 North Shepherd Drive3rd FloorHouston, Texas 77008Free and ample parking available.