From Clinical Practice to Founding VirtuCare with Dr. Joe Pazona

In this episode of the Startup Physicians Podcast, host Dr. Alison Curfman sits down with Dr. Joe Pazona, board-certified urologist and founder and CEO of VirtuCare, to explore his unconventional journey from traditional clinical practice to healthcare entrepreneurship. After experiencing burnout, frustrating healthcare systems, and significant gaps in specialty care, Joe decided to take a different path. He founded VirtuCare to rethink how urology services are delivered through telemedicine, team-based care, and hospital partnerships. Joe shares the challenges of building a healthcare company without a business background, why physicians need a seat at the table when designing new care models, and how technology can expand patient access without compromising clinical standards. If you're considering launching a startup, exploring advisory opportunities, or simply looking for ways to make a bigger impact in medicine, this conversation will provide valuable insight into what's possible beyond traditional clinical practice. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:33 Joe Pazona's journey into medicine and urology 02:50 Recognizing opportunities to improve healthcare 03:50 The reality of physician employment and burnout 06:11 When speaking up leads to difficult career decisions 07:33 Finding a new path in Nashville 09:22 How COVID exposed weaknesses in traditional healthcare models 10:42 The idea behind VirtuCare 12:50 From direct-to-consumer telemedicine to a new business model 13:50 Addressing the rural urology access problem 16:20 Rethinking what quality healthcare delivery looks like 18:37 The role of physician leadership in team-based care 22:08 Why doctors need a seat at the table 24:17 Balancing patient continuity with access and scalability 25:16 Exploring different paths into healthcare innovation 26:34 The realities of entrepreneurship and finding your purpose 28:37 Final advice for physicians who want to make a difference Resources: Learn more about Startup Physicians: https://startupphysicians.com Connect with Startup Physicians on LinkedIn:   / startup-physicians   Learn more about Virtucare: https://myvirtucare.com/ Connect with Virtucare on LinkedIn: ​​  / myvirtucare   #physicianentrepreneur #HealthcareStartup #DigitalHealth #MedicalInnovation #StartupFounder #ProductMarketFit #CustomerDiscovery #HealthcareInnovation