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The Onboarding Packet: Practice Guidelines
Fishtown Medicine•2 min read

The Onboarding Packet: Practice Guidelines

On This Page
  • How does Fishtown Medicine protect clinical independence?
  • How do new members communicate with the clinic?
  • Routine Needs
  • Urgent Needs
  • How does the practice coordinate specialist care?
  • Actionable Steps for New Members in Philly
  • Common Questions
  • What is the Fishtown Medicine onboarding packet?
  • How do I message Dr. Ash for a non-urgent question?
  • What counts as an urgent need at Fishtown Medicine?
  • Does Fishtown Medicine sell supplements or accept kickbacks?
  • Can I keep my existing specialists when I join?
  • How does Fishtown Medicine handle prior authorizations and referrals?
  • What should I do before my first deep-dive visit?

Get a preventive doctor that knows you.

Consult Dr. Ash
TL;DR30-second take

The Fishtown Medicine onboarding packet sets clear ground rules for new members. We use the Ultralight app for secure messaging, hold to strict clinical independence (no kickbacks, no product sales), and manage specialist coordination so you never have to be the middleman in your own care.

Welcome to Fishtown Medicine. To make our partnership effective and focused on your long-term health, we set clear, simple guidelines for how we work and how we communicate. This packet is meant to help you get the most out of your first 90 days.

How does Fishtown Medicine protect clinical independence?

My first priority is your health, independent of any commercial interests. Our Practice Constraints protect that promise.

  • No Product Sales: We do not sell supplements or medications.
  • No Kickbacks: We do not accept fees from pharma or device companies.
  • Neutral Data: Recommendations come from your clinical data and current peer-reviewed research.
  • Pass-Through Pricing: Any discount we receive from a partner - supplements, imaging, labs - passes straight through to you. We do not mark up partner pricing.

How do new members communicate with the clinic?

We use the Ultralight app for all clinical communication. The app is encrypted and HIPAA-compliant, which keeps your data safe.

Routine Needs

  • In-App Messaging: Best for non-urgent clinical questions, care plan clarifications, or follow-up on labs.
  • Response Time: We typically respond within one business day.

Urgent Needs

For an Urgent Need that cannot wait until the next business day:

  • Direct Message: Use the Ultralight app and flag the message as urgent.
  • Emergency Service: For life-threatening emergencies, dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (Penn, Jefferson, or Temple in Philadelphia).

How does the practice coordinate specialist care?

If you need a specialist, we manage the logistics for you:

  • Curation: We find a high-quality specialist in Philadelphia for your specific condition.
  • Clinical Briefing: We send a detailed summary of your history so the specialist is prepared for your first visit.
  • Integration: We follow up to make sure their findings are integrated into your Personalized Care Plan.

Actionable Steps for New Members in Philly

Get the most out of your first 90 days.

  1. Install Ultralight: Download the Ultralight app and verify your login the day you join.
  2. Send Your Records: Use our guide on Sharing Medical Records to upload your last few years of labs and notes.
  3. List Your Specialists: Send a quick message with the names of every clinician you currently see so we can build your care map.

Dr. Ash is a board-certified internal medicine physician specializing in preventive medicine and healthspan optimization at Fishtown Medicine in Philadelphia.

Ashvin Vijayakumar MD (Dr. Ash)

Fishtown Medicine | About

2418 E York St, Philadelphia, PA 19125·(267) 360-7927·hello@fishtownmedicine.com·HSA/FSA Eligible

Medical Disclaimer: This resource provides clinical context for educational purposes. In the world of Precision Medicine, there is no "one size fits all"; the right care plan must be matched to your unique lab work, physiology, and goals. Consult Dr. Ash to determine if this approach is right for you, particularly if you have chronic health conditions or are taking prescription medications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

The Fishtown Medicine onboarding packet is the short set of guidelines we share with every new member. It explains how we communicate, how we protect clinical independence, and how we coordinate with your specialist team.
For a non-urgent question, send a message inside the Ultralight app. We typically reply within one business day, and the conversation stays inside your secure medical record.
An urgent need is a clinical issue that cannot wait until the next business day, such as a high fever, a sudden severe symptom, or a medication concern. For an urgent need, send a Ultralight message flagged as urgent. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.
No. Fishtown Medicine does not sell supplements or medications, and we do not accept fees, samples, or commissions from pharmaceutical or device companies. Recommendations come only from your clinical data and current research.
Yes. If you already have trusted specialists at Penn, Jefferson, Temple, or Mainline Health, we work with them directly. We respect existing relationships and add coordination on top.
We handle prior authorizations, lab orders, imaging scheduling, and specialist referrals on your behalf. The goal is to remove the administrative burden so you can focus on your health, not paperwork.
Before your first deep-dive visit, upload your previous labs, list your active medications and supplements, and write down your top three health goals. Those three pieces of information shape your first 90 days.

Ready when you are

Start your intake

Dr. Ash reads every intake himself, and answers questions personally - usually within a few hours.

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Content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

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