Dr. Jake Goodman - I Believe Telemedicine Will Become One of the Mainstays of Treatment, Especially in the Mental Health World (Psychiatry Resident Physician From Georgia)

My parents instilled in me the importance of resilience at a young age. For example, after working 20+ years for a marketing company, my father was let go. He decided to reframe this unfortunate situation as an opportunity to explore his passions and build his dream business, Pet Portraits by Larry. Today he drew over 100 custom pet portraits, grown a following of over 8,000 on Instagram, and has found happiness and joy in his work. 

1. Tell us about your upbringing, background, and journey?

I was raised in Georgia by supportive parents who instilled in me the belief that I can become anything I wanted in life, even a physician. Despite the fact that nobody in my family had ever become a doctor before, I was determined to make it happen. It wasn't easy. Ultimately I was denied by 25 medical schools and it took me two years to eventually get accepted into medical school. Today, I am a Psychiatry Resident Doctor training in Miami, FL with my best friend and fiance, Dr. Arianna Heyer, an Internal Medicine doctor.

2. Why did you choose to be a doctor and decide what you specifically want to do?

In the beginning, I was unsure of which path I wanted to pursue. I considered several specialties: pediatrics, ophthalmology, family medicine, but none of them felt right. It wasn’t until my third year of medical school during my psychiatry rotation when I had the opportunity to rotate at an outpatient methadone clinic in Philadelphia, that I finally felt that “aha” moment. 

From heartbreaking conversations to heartwarming stories of overcoming insurmountable odds, I came home each night in awe of the incredible experiences I had witnessed each day. During the rest of the third year, I found myself drawn to patients who were suffering from mental illness. I had chosen to pursue Psychiatry.

3. We salute your work during the pandemic, where did you get the inspiration to work so hard?

My parents instilled in me the importance of resilience at a young age. For example, after working 20+ years for a marketing company, my father was let go. He decided to reframe this unfortunate situation as an opportunity to explore his passions and build his dream business, Pet Portraits by Larry. Today he drew over 100 custom pet portraits, grown a following of over 8,000 on Instagram, and has found happiness and joy in his work. 

4. How do you expect digital health to grow over the next 5 years?

I believe Telemedicine will become one of the mainstays of treatment, especially in the mental health world. Upon completing residency, I plan on utilizing my platform to open a Telepsychiatry clinic where I can provide therapy and treatment to anyone in the state, regardless of where you live.

5. What are your concerns about Digital Health?

I have become increasingly concerned about misinformation being spread on social media by people without medical degrees. I've seen this already with COVID (ex. a viral video circulating showing that vaccines make you "magnetic" ). That's why I believe it is so important for credible medical professionals to be on social media using their platforms to educate and fight misinformation. 

6. Can you let us know anyone application of Digital Health in your country which has impressed you?

Telehealth making therapy more accessible!

Dr. Jake Goodman - Psychiatry Resident Physician with an MD/MBA

Interviewed By: Vanshikha Bagga

This interview is sponsored by Plus91 Technologies, a leading Digital Health firm.