IN PHILADELPHIA, where service shifts run late and parents juggle a dozen moving parts before noon, healthcare has to move at the speed of real life. That’s the idea behind Fishtown Medicine, where Dr. Ashvin “Dr. Ash” Vijayakumar builds primary care around direct communication and swift, thoughtful action. Patients reach him through a HIPAA-compliant app that feels just like texting, or by voice and video. When it’s the fastest path to care, he brings a doctor’s bag to your door (at home or work) and books same-day visits.
CARE THAT STARTS WITH A CONVERSATION AND OFTEN A SAME-DAY SOLUTION
One recent morning at school drop-off, another dad told Dr. Ash that his wife felt feverish and achy but planned to power through a long shift. After a quick back-and-forth, Dr. Ash suspected the flu. “I grabbed my doctor’s bag and walked over,” he says. He checked vitals, ran a rapid flu test—positive—and set a plan for rest, hydration, and keeping the household well.
“We were still within that early window, and antivirals work best when you start them fast,” he explains. In practical terms, timely treatment can shorten symptoms by about one to two days. That’s no small thing when your schedule (and income) depend on feeling well enough to work.
BUILT FOR ANYONE WHOSE JOB CAN’T WAIT
Service-industry injuries rarely happen on a neat time-line. A line cook recently cut her hand and started debating an ER trip. A coworker connected her to Dr. Ash. “We did a quick video call so I could see the wound, check movement and sensation, and decide next steps,” he says. He then brought his kit, handled wound care, updated protection where needed, and set a clear follow-up plan. This quick care meant she could get through the dinner rush safely.
These are the moments when speed and judgment matter: targeted care, delivered right away, without hours in a waiting room or guesswork between shifts.
PREVENTION THAT FITS INTO A PACKED LIFE
Direct access isn’t just for urgent needs. A bar owner and new dad reached out to Dr. Ash when he was feeling worn down and wanting a real check-in on long-term health. Intake happened through the secure app; labs were coordinated around his schedule; results were reviewed that evening over video.
“I’m a numbers guy—and he was too,” Dr. Ash says. “I always ask people when they first come on board: What are your goals?” In this case, the patient said he wanted to be around for his grandkids someday. “We painted the picture of his personal risk and the path forward,” Dr. Ash recalls. The clarity clicked: the next day, the patient decided to quit smoking.
The advanced testing tools Dr. Ash uses are modern, but the goal is timeless. He helps make change doable by making the plan personal.
OLD-SCHOOL RELATIONSHIP, NEW-SCHOOL TOOLS
Fishtown Medicine blends a neighborhood-doctor feel with flexible access. Patients can text Dr. Ash a question, jump on a video call after a shift, or get an in-person visit when that’s what the situation calls for. Visits last long enough to cover what matters. Follow-through is deliberate and personal.
For hospitality workers—whose concerns often include repetitive-stress pain, posture issues, and metabolic risks—care that meets them where they are can be the difference between putting things off and getting them handled. The same is true for busy parents and professionals who want a physician who listens, connects the dots, and acts quickly.
“Making sure I’m taking care of the people who take care of others brings me incredible joy,” Dr. Ash says. “That’s my drive and my mission.”
