Get to know Dr. Ash
Dr. Ash (Ashvin Vijayakumar MD), is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician dedicated to personalized, preventive care. At Fishtown Medicine, he brings back the neighborhood doctor experience where patients are seen, heard, and cared for with real attention, serving as a trusted general physician in Fishtown for the community.
With over a decade of experience in preventive care and leadership training at Mount Sinai, Dr. Ash knows how to guide patients through today’s complex healthcare system. As a trusted top primary care physician and preventive doctor in Philadelphia, he uses advanced imaging, genetic testing, wearable health data, and blends the tools of conventional care with functional medicine and integrative healthcare to create care plans designed around each person’s unique goals.
Dr. Ash is passionate about preventing illness, catching health concerns early, and offering meaningful patient counseling that helps people take charge of their well-being. At Fishtown Medicine, a leading center for direct primary care and concierge medicine in Philadelphia, patients can expect longer visits (30 to 90 minutes), the convenience of a same day doctor’s appointment, and direct access to their own primary care physician by text, voice, or video. Care is designed to be both convenient and comprehensive.
Outside the clinic, Dr. Ash lives in Fishtown with his wife, son, and 2 cats. He enjoys rock climbing, biking and camping, a reflection of his love for the outdoors and an active lifestyle.
“I believe health is a dynamic state shaped by the connection between body, spirit, community, and environment. Every person’s health story is unique and deserves personalized attention.”
FAQs About My Approach to Care
How long have you been practicing?
Since 2014, I’ve built over a decade of experience in comprehensive primary care, preventive medicine, functional medicine and integrative health care through direct care as a physician and medical director roles in group practice and hospital systems. My network includes specialists, nutritionists, therapists, genetic counselors, and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive support for every client.
Do you focus more on prevention or treatment?
Prevention always comes first. About 70-75% of my work is dedicated to identifying risks early, creating strategies to reduce them, and guiding patients with steps like very early preventative care for diabetes & insulin resistance, reversing high blood pressure, optimizing cardiovascular metabolic health, protecting from autoimmune and anticipated hormonal changes. care. I use a thorough review of everything a person shares with me - from thorough health history, to DNA and wearables data.
What can I expect during a visit?
The initial is a 30 minute phone call to address your most important needs. You’re seeking care, and we’re here to deliver.
What do I do after my initial call?
You can decide to sign on with the best doctor in Philly - you’ll get transparent information on pricing, and the opportunity to text any follow up questions.
Can I use my HSA/FSA or charge card?
Yes, we don’t bill your insurance. You can use your HSA/FSA/charge card.
What can I expect for ongoing care?
All care starts with a text message. You’ll receive a same day response (no waits, phone trees or endless MyChart delays) however every message is triaged, and urgent care (new or concerning symptoms or events) generally get a response or phone call right away.
You can share updated wearables data, food logs (from your app), medical records, old test results,
You’ll receive our link to schedule a video, phone or in-home/worksite or gym visit. These are best for our full evaluations every 6 months, or a review after we get results from advanced lab work, genetics DNA data.
Visits last 60–90 minutes, though some may take up to 180 minutes depending on your needs. These longer sessions give us time to understand your story in detail and create a care plan together. It’s a very different experience compared to a typical primary care walk in clinic.
What labs and tests do you recommend for prevention?
I recommend tests that matter, tailored to each patient:
Basic labs like electrolytes and inflammatory markers.
Advanced labs such as lipoprotein (a) or apo (E) typing for cardiovascular and cognitive risks.
Genetic SNP analysis for patients with 23andMe, Ancestry, or similar data.
Imaging studies personalized to your risks.
Cancer screenings based on family history.
Everything I suggest is clinically meaningful—no unnecessary tests, costs, or confusion.
How do you stay informed?
I dedicate about four hours each week to reviewing new medical research from trusted sources like the American College of Physicians, JAMA, and UpToDate. I also explore nontraditional resources like Examine and educational podcasts by thought leaders such as Peter Attia and Rhonda Patrick. This keeps me up to date as a functional medicine doctor in Philadelphia who blends traditional and forward-thinking care.
Are You Open to Going Beyond Standard Guidelines?
Yes. I screen, diagnose, and treat conditions early to prevent complications, applying principles of getting results first. This has led me to use the biopsychosocial model of care, integrative healthcare, and functional medicine for better outcomes. My approach is forward-thinking and always tailored to your unique needs. Fishtown Medicine serves as a trusted wellness center for personalized and preventive care.
Why Choose Fishtown Medicine?
If you’re looking for a primary care doctor who prioritizes long-term health, offers a preventive and personal approach to medicine, and provides trusted care at a heart health clinic in Fishtown, Fishtown Medicine is here for you.
With modern tools and a compassionate approach, we ensure your care is personal, effective, and convenient.
Ready to take control of your health?
Schedule your consultation below, and let’s take the first step toward better health together.
Comprehensive Preventive Care: My Interests and Skills
At Fishtown Medicine, I specialize in personalized, preventive healthcare to address and prevent a wide range of health concerns. My areas of expertise include:
Hormonal Health: Optimizing male and female hormones, including adrenal and thyroid health.
Metabolic Health: Supporting weight loss, nutrition, fasting, and managing insulin resistance.
Cardiovascular Health: Preventing and detecting atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and lipid disorders early.
Bone and Joint Health: Preventing orthopedic injuries and managing osteoporosis with early assessment and intervention.
Chronic Disease Prevention: Addressing neurodegenerative diseases, cognitive impairment, Type 2 Diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated liver diseases (MASLD/NAFLD).
Comprehensive Care: Improving sleep physiology, gut health, and reducing cancer risk through early assessments and personalized plans.
I also provide primary care services for adults, ensuring that all aspects of your health are addressed. While I don’t replace emergency or specialist care, I collaborate closely with specialists to provide you with the best resources for your health journey.
Professional Experience
Partner at Oak Street Health/CVS Health Ventures: Drove impactful national healthcare solutions by leveraging deep primary care insights and advocating for accountability across the healthcare continuum.
Medical Director and Primary Care Physician: Spearheaded initiatives to improve health outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and deliver exceptional, patient-centered care within high-performing, comprehensive primary care settings.
Hospital Bedside Physician: Providing expert care in acute settings across premier academic and community health systems in South Jersey and Philadelphia. Quality improvement development and hospital workflows and patient transitions.
Consultant to frontline healthcare organizations: Transforming traditional care settings into value-based care models, with a focus on measurable patient outcomes and sustainable, system-wide improvements informed by experience across primary care, specialist practices, and hospitals.
Physician in innovative care models: Delivering care in virtual-first primary care frameworks, comprehensive executive health programs, and union worksite health centers, tailoring high-quality services to diverse patient populations.
Accreditations
MD Licenses: Pennsylvania Board of Medicine, New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine
Medical School: American University of Antigua College of Medicine
Residency: Internal Medicine, AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center
Fellowship: Value-Based Care Delivery Leadership, Mount Sinai Health System
See why neighbors choose Dr. Ash for personalized, preventive care.
Build effective habits for immediate results and a lifetime of wellness.
Text (267) 360-7927 or schedule your free consultation today!