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:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startup-physicians/
Learn more about Virtucare: https://myvirtucare.com/
Connect with Virtucare on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myvirtucare
In the free Physician Founder Roadmap webinar, we’ll share how physicians can begin evaluating their ideas and understand what it takes to bring them to market.
Mark your calendar for October 22 at 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET and join us for the webinar!
Create a venture-ready concept pitch in just 45 minutes! Join our free AI session designed for practicing physicians, where we guide you through the concept-assessment process used in the Startup Physicians Incubator.
Download the guide, open it with Claude, and you'll end up with a one-page pitch ready to share with an advisor, investor, or selection committee.
A six-month program that takes a practicing physician’s idea to an investor-ready company. Cohort 2 starts January 2027.
