Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Jasmine Bookert.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am a board-certified emergency medicine physician. I attended medical school at Howard University College of Medicine and did residency training at the LSU- New Orleans Emergency Medicine Program. After finishing my training, I moved back to Houston, my hometown. I have worked all around the Houston metropolitan area. During Covid, I realized that medicine was changing. Not only did patients want more options than going into a medical office or hospital, but they also wanted to receive compassionate care and care that is free from bias. Evaluating patients in person is not the only way to efficiently practice medicine. Of course, I knew about telemedicine and even considered working for another company in the past, but during the pandemic, I realized that there was still a need for more telemedicine companies.
My purpose for starting Dr. Diagnosis was to add to the diversity in the telemedicine world. When I looked at various telemedicine sites, often the providers or physicians available did not look like me. I am a black female physician. I am a part of the 2% of physicians in the United States that are black and female. People, especially women, are searching for women doctors and someone they can relate to. My staff is diverse. We have trained and worked in diverse areas. We truly want to help our patients and make them feel comfortable while receiving excellent medical care. We want to enable patients to be evaluated adequately without bias.
The end goal for my company is to partner with HBCUs- Historically Black Colleges and Universities, so that students on these campuses will receive excellent medical care and not have to leave campus to go to an emergency room or urgent care for simple ailments. I also hope to partner with programs that focus on underserved areas, single-parent households, and elderly patients. These patients often have financial issues but also have transportation issues, are unable to take off work, or cannot afford childcare to take care of their own medical needs. I don’t just want to have a company, but I want to make an impact in medicine and in my community.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey to becoming an entrepreneur, especially during the pandemic, was not easy. Before becoming a physician, I was a student. My only previous work experience was as a lab assistant at a medical clinic. I do not have a business background. So initially, the process of just filling out the paperwork and deciding what type of company to start was overwhelming.
Also, I am married with four kids and still have a full-time job as an emergency medicine physician, so I have had to create a new balance in my life. Thankfully, I have family, friends, and colleagues that we’re able to assist me with the start-up process. And as with any new business, there have been ups and downs, but I think it is key to realize that growing a new business is not a sprint but a marathon. And I am all in on this journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Dr. Diagnosis is a telemedicine urgent care. So we are evaluating patients through video consultations. You can use your phone, tablet, or computer to access us. Currently, we are seeing patients in Texas and Louisiana, but soon will be expanding across the south and more. We can treat simple, non-life-threatening complaints or disorders such as mild Covid-19 symptoms, urinary tract infections, sinus infections, allergies, flu symptoms, toothaches, gout, etc. The list goes on and on. We are available on your lunch break, in between classes, late at night, and before your doctor’s office opens in the morning.
At Dr. Diagnosis we provide excellent medical care at affordable pricing. We believe everyone deserves to have access to medical care and Dr. Diagnosis can provide those services. Our providers at Dr. Diagnosis can also refer patients to appropriate follow-up specialists if needed. We strive to provide our patients with our motto, which is the 3 C’s: Comfort, Convenience, and Comprehensive. Our providers offer a personal touch that you will not always receive from other telemedicine companies.
Lastly, our branding is Diagnose Me Now because our goal is to give patients the diagnosis now. We also are focused on mental health and wellness. Dr. Diagnosis wants to help you physically and emotionally. I have a podcast and a blog called The Breakdown with Dr. Diagnosis that provides medical education, as well as mental health and wellness information to our patients. Patients learn valuable contact information for specialists and providers in all areas of medicine, including therapy and wellness. Dr. Diagnosis is not just a business. It is the future of medicine with diverse and relatable physicians that want to improve all aspects of your healthcare.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I am not usually a risk-taker, so starting a new business during all the changes going on in the world was nerve-racking. During the pandemic, many physicians like myself had a decrease in hours, salaries or lost their jobs. Becoming an entrepreneur is an investment in my own future. This company is something that I can help grow and develop. Dr. Diagnosis will allow me to directly foster community relationships that are important to my values. In taking this risk, I began taking more risks. I’m usually behind the scenes in my world, but now I’m hosting a podcast and writing a blog that provides insight to some of my most personal medical experiences. One thing I have learned over this past year is that you usually have to take some risks to grow and prosper. So I guess now I am a bit of a risk-taker!
Pricing:
- 49.99 6 am to 10 pm
- 59.99 10 pm to 6 am
- 49.99 Day & Night for 65 and older
Contact Info:
- Email: drdiagnosis@diagnosemenow.com
- Website: www.diagnosemenow.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/diagnosemenow
- Facebook: facebook.com/Diagnosemenow
- Twitter: twitter.com/diagnosemenow
- Youtube: http://youtube.com/channel/UCOhbq8uM5ePQijFIfTwS1kg
- Other: https://the-breakdown-with-dr-diagnosis.simplecast.com
Image Credits
Sonny Images Photography
