Founded in 2020 by insurance veteran Zak Harlow, The Benefit Doctor is an employee benefits brokerage agency focused on curing the pain of benefits for HR teams, employees, and brokers alike. The company’s unique approach to benefits helps employers and advisors deliver a better benefits experience, with better outcomes and less confusion. One year after acquiring the long-standing and respected Pitsch Insurance Group, The Benefit Doctor is proud to celebrate a major milestone: 100% client retention and the continued expansion of its broker-led, people-first model in the Arizona market.
The Pitsch Insurance Group spent over 35 years serving businesses across the Phoenix metro area with a reputation for trust, consistency, and personalized service. In late 2023, after receiving multiple acquisition offers from national brokerages, founder Sherry Pitsch chose to sell her agency to The Benefit Doctor because the two shared the same philosophy. A philosophy that emphasizes helping employers cut through industry jargon and accepted norms to build comprehensive employee benefit plans that work for employees without straining finances.
“When we acquired Pitsch, it wasn’t about adding to our book of business,” said Harlow. “We became stewards of a legacy. Sherry Pitsch built her agency on trust, relationships, and an unwavering commitment to her clients. I’m proud to say we’ve protected that legacy and expanded on it by keeping every single client, earning new referrals, and bringing fresh energy and resources to the table. For us, this milestone is proof that when you put people first, growth follows.”
In a crowded industry, The Benefit Doctor stands out for combining deep expertise with a practical, people-first philosophy. Instead of relying on cookie-cutter benefits solutions, the firm works closely with employers to design custom benefits packages that balance affordability with meaningful coverage. Its employee benefits brokers provide hands-on support throughout the year, navigating compliance, enrollment, and plan design so employers can focus on their people, not paperwork.
Vera Elliott, who supported the Pitsch clients as an account manager for more than six years, was promoted to Senior Account Executive shortly after the acquisition. In this expanded role, she continues to lead with excellence now backed by BenDoc’s advanced plan design team, back office sales support, and strategic product resources.
“A year ago, The Benefit Doctor became stewards of Sherry’s legacy,” said Harlow. “That responsibility means ensuring every client feels supported, every relationship grows stronger, and every solution we deliver truly makes a difference for employers and their people. We’re proud of the foundation we’ve built together and excited to keep raising the bar on employee benefits.”
To learn more about how The Benefit Doctor helps small and medium-sized businesses find innovative benefits solutions for their employees or to schedule a free consultation with a benefits expert, visit www.TheBenefitDoctor.com.
About The Benefit Doctor
The Benefit Doctor helps employers and employees save $1 BILLION in healthcare spending through their proven 5-step treatment protocol. With a mission to be a reliable employee benefits broker, they specialize in making employee benefits an actual benefit and reducing overall spend on healthcare.
