A Pediatrician’s Path to Purpose-Driven Investing

Throughout his 35+ year career in pediatric medicine, RW Mills has built deep relationships with families spanning multiple generations. He and his wife, a fellow healthcare professional, have cultivated a shared commitment to service, meaningful connection, and responsible stewardship—values that extend far beyond the hallways of his practice and into the broader community. As an investor, RW carries that same intentionality into his financial endeavors, thoughtfully seeking opportunities that align purpose with profit. He shared his journey from pediatric care to community impact, reflecting on how the principles that have guided his medical career continue to inspire his mission to make a positive change in the lives of others. 

Q: Tell me a bit about your life—your background, your family, and what you're passionate about.

A: I'm RW Mills, and I’m originally from Zanesville, Ohio. I went to college at Miami University, then attended medical school at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, which is where I met my wonderful wife. I was a medical student, and she was a nursing student. We got engaged six weeks after we met and have now been married for almost 39 years. We have four kids, and I’m a pediatrician. My wife is a pediatric intensive care nurse, and our oldest son is now an internal medicine doctor. We’ve also been blessed with three grandchildren, and with two of our sons living nearby in the Toledo area, it’s been great having the grandkids close to home.

Q: How long have you been practicing medicine? 

A: I’ve been a pediatrician for well over 35 years, and I love what I do. For me, it’s all about relationships. I’m now seeing my third generation of patients—kids whose parents and even grandparents I took care of. That’s where the fulfillment comes from. It’s such a privilege to be part of families' lives in this way. As I tell the residents and other students I teach, there’s no greater honor than a family saying, “We trust you to take care of our children.” It’s what keeps me going and why I continue to do it to this day. 

Q: You have an incredible professional legacy—you’ve trained and hired young doctors, and your patients have trusted you to care for their children over multiple generations. What does that legacy mean to you?

A: I think a lot of pediatricians would say this work feels like a calling. I initially thought I’d become an adult cardiologist, probably because my dad had a heart attack when I was young, and I was inspired by the doctors who saved him. However, once I did my pediatrics rotation in medical school, I knew that was what I wanted to pursue. When a family trusts you with their most precious treasure—their child—it changes everything. I feel incredibly honored and privileged to have walked alongside so many families—and to have mentored young doctors along the way. That trust and those relationships have been the most meaningful and rewarding part of building my legacy.

Q: When did you begin thinking about building a financial legacy?

A: I'm incredibly grateful to have found the White Coat Investor community because they taught me about simplicity. In medical school, you don’t get any real financial education. You have to figure it out on your own or be lucky enough to find someone to guide you. I started simplifying my financial life—investing in index funds—and eventually discovered DLP Capital as an option for diversification through real estate. 

I didn’t want to be a landlord or own properties directly, so I looked for a more passive approach. At that point, it was a matter of researching and finding a transparent organization that I could trust—one that aligned with my values and could help me achieve my financial goals.

I’ve always been naturally skeptical—it takes a lot to win me over. But as I learned more about DLP’s mission and their consistent focus on delivering results and meaningful impact, quarter after quarter, I was impressed. With DLP, I saw that my investments could make a real difference in people’s lives—and that meant a great deal to my wife and me. We also wanted to educate our sons and build something lasting—something that could one day be passed down to them and our grandchildren.

I originally invested in the DLP Housing Fund because I was drawn to the tax efficiency*, and last year, I also invested in the DLP Lending Fund. DLP’s mission—investing in attainable workforce housing—really appealed to me, and learning more about Don’s story and the people behind the company only reinforced my confidence that they are exactly who they claim to be.

Q: In terms of DLP’s faith-based values and philanthropic work, how does that resonate with you?

A: It has certainly sharpened our focus. Don [Wenner] and the team I’ve come to know are deeply committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of residents. Yes, providing housing is very important, but building a community is even more powerful. Whether that be through church, small groups, or encouraging strong connections among neighbors, DLP is creating spaces where people can truly thrive. That sense of connectedness—among friends, family, neighbors, or to a higher calling—fosters an even deeper level of impact, and the sincerity behind it is evident. It starts with DLP’s leadership and extends throughout the organization. That level of authenticity and alignment means a great deal to me and my family.

As someone who believes in DLP’s vision, I’ve witnessed how steadfast they are in pursuing it. My third son lives in downtown Denver, and he’s a classic example of someone for whom homeownership is out of reach. He pays an outrageous amount for rent and can't afford to buy on his salary. In our family, we’ve seen firsthand the challenges young adults face when it comes to housing. It’s meaningful for us to invest in a company with a mission we believe in—one that’s transparent, focused, and genuine.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?

A: I truly love what I do, so it’s hard to imagine stepping away. We’re trying to think about retirement not as an end, but as a transition to something new—retiring to something instead of from something. I could retire today if I wanted to, but I don’t know if I’d be happy. What we do know is that we want to keep impacting others—our kids, and our grandkids. My wife is incredible in the way she pours into them, and I feel so blessed to have her. For now, we’re committed to setting the best example we can for our kids and grandkids—focusing on who they are as individuals, how they can positively impact those around them, and how they can continue making a difference in the lives they touch on a day-to-day basis.