Meet Dr. Jasmine Bookert | Founder of Dr. Diagnosis, Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician, & Host of The Breakdown with Dr. Diagnosis Podcast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Jasmine Bookert and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Jasmine, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve pondered for years about starting my own business. As a physician we are not taught about business in medical school. In my specialty the majority of physicians work as independent contractors or with a group. The pandemic really pushed me to pursue my own business. When the pandemic started my hours were cut and my hourly wage was decreased significantly. Now I know I was in a better position than most people, but I realized that I was expendable. I knew I needed a change for myself and my family. I didn’t want to be solely dependent on a company for my financial needs.

I also valued the idea of having a vision for how I wanted to practice medicine. Wellness and quality of life are important for physicians too. I wanted to develop a work life balance that works for MY family. We are a family of six. Life is busy and chaotic. So being able to prioritize my family is enticing as well.

During the pandemic telemedicine became necessary and I found my niche. Convenient access to medical care is the goal of every patient and my company is able to accomplish that goal. I’m also able to be active in the community and continue awareness on important topics such as women’s health, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and racial bias in medicine. Medicine is always evolving and as a physician you have to evolve as well.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Dr. Diagnosis is a telemedicine company that initially focused on just urgent care medicine. Now, after almost two years in the pandemic, telemedicine is commonplace. You have to find a company that works for you. I think Dr. Diagnosis stands out because we are not an assembly line telemedicine company. Most places are trying to see as many patients as possible in a day. At Dr. Diagnosis we understand that maybe we are the only doctor that you have seen all year, and you have some questions. Besides refilling your blood pressure medication, I want you to voice your other health concerns. We are not a concierge service, but we can try to direct the appointment to fit your needs.

Also, Dr. Diagnosis is a minority based company. As such we have some areas of primary focus that extend beyond just treating patients. I’m a proud HBCU graduate. One of our major goals is to connect with HBCUs ( Historically Black Colleges & Universities) and foster meaningful relationships with those students. Dr. Diagnosis offers the ability to see a physician that looks like them, and at one time was them. Our physicians want to make sure that the needs of these students are met physically and emotionally. We truly SEE them.

Mental health is another expansion area for the company. The challenges related to mental health during the pandemic has been overwhelming. The need for access for minorities is readily apparent. It’s also important to remove the cloak of shame surrounding mental health. Dr. Diagnosis is committed to being a part of the change.

Overall, there is a surplus of telemedicine companies to choose from your medical care. I’m proud of all the goals that have been accomplished with the company in less than a year. Im excited about the future and growing the Dr. Diagnosis brand within and outside of the company. I want to continue the legacy of African American and women physicians. Remember that there is a standard of care in medicine that all physicians adhere to, but you should want more than just the standard of care for you and our family. That level of excellence is what Dr. Diagnosis provides.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
So with my busy schedule, I may only have a few days to hangout. My friends and I would probably rather order food and have a girls night in, but it is fun to enjoy your city sometimes. But I need good food along the way!

Houston has crazy traffic, so I would try to stay in one general area for the most part. We would start with brunch at The Annie Cafe & Bar before heading over to the Galleria for shopping. I haven’t been to the Galleria in years so it will be fun for me too. Afterwards, we are heading over to the Trellis Spa at The Houstonian. Fun fact is that my prom was at The Houstonian. I visited the spa a few years ago and it was everything! After our relaxing massages, Crave Cupcakes is a must. They are so good and have both gluten free and vegan options. My favorite is the strawberry cupcake. The night ends at Steak 48 for some more delicious food. Plus I love the decor and vibe.

The next day is a staycation at the Marriott Marquis. We are there all day for the food and festivities on the rooftop, Parkview Terrace.. We can chill in a cabana and dip into the heated infinity pool or Texas shaped lazy river. Sometimes you just have to bring the island to the city! I think that would be a perfect way to end our time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My parents and village deserve a huge shout out. I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was eight years old. My parents unconditionally supported my dreams emotionally and financially. My extended family and friends also extended their support. Thankfully, I still have the support of all these people, but now my husband that I have known since the age of 14 is one of my biggest supporters and confidants. I do not believe you are a success alone. It takes the love, faith, and support of so many to achieve dreams. I have been blessed to have so many believers in my life!

Website: www.diagnosemenow.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diagnosemenow/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-bookert-md-58422a1a8

Twitter: https://twitter.com/diagnosemenow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Diagnosemenow/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCOhbq8uM5ePQijFIfTwS1kg

Other: Podcast: https://the-breakdown-with-dr-diagnosis.simplecast.com/