Today we’d like to introduce you to Tammy Allen, MD.
Hi Tammy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In the heart of my journey, there’s a story that began in the biology lab of my high school; when I was just another dreamy-eyed teenager with huge ambitions. I’ve known since high school that I wanted to be a doctor. It was a dream that my science teacher, a mentor who saw potential in me, enthusiastically encouraged. It was a dream that at the time seemed nearly impossible, partly because there were no doctors in my community who looked like me. But sometimes, all it takes is one person to light the spark of possibilities, and for me, that person was my high school biology teacher.
It wasn’t a conventional journey to becoming a physician, and that’s what made it uniquely mine. By the time I finally walked through the doors of medical school, I was close to 30 and had lived life and gathered experiences that most of my peers could only imagine. I used to tell people that if it was legal, I’ve done it – from waitressing to loading trucks for UPS to serving my country in the US Navy. After graduating from medical school, I continued on my non-traditional path into a family medicine residency program and then as a traveling hospitalist – a doctor devoted exclusively to the care of patients in the hospital. I’ve spent the last two decades of my career traveling the world both for work and for pleasure. I have treated patients all across the US, on a Navajo reservation in Northern Arizona, in Mexican border towns in the Southwest, from the Black Mountains of New Hampshire to the Cascade Mountains of Washington state, and everywhere in between. I’ve even worked in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on the tropical US territory of Guam. I’ve treated homeless patients and displaced hurricane victims in free clinics and participated in medical missions in Haiti and Guatemala. My perspective has been shaped by all of these experiences.
Although my passion for medicine has always burned bright, there was another fire that had been simmering within me: a burning wanderlust. And it wasn’t until medical school that I was able to truly nurture that flame. After convincing my medical school Dean’s office to allow me to do a four-week Spanish immersion course in Mexico, I was hooked.
Travel was my escape, my elixir of life. I craved adventure, and I longed to explore the paths less taken. My travels led me to remote corners of the globe, to third-world countries where the pulse of authenticity thrived. I relished submerging myself in the cultures, connecting with the locals, and experiencing the world in a way that was more than just a passing visit.
However, during my travels, I stumbled upon a roadblock that surprised me. It was a simple yet significant issue – obtaining pre-travel medications. My own primary care physicians refused to prescribe me essential medications to prevent malaria or treat traveler’s diarrhea. They weren’t comfortable with the responsibility and redirected me to specialized travel clinics. The problem was these clinics were not only outrageously expensive but also unnecessary, for I was well-informed about the medications I needed.
It was during these moments of frustration that the seeds of a new dream were sown. Why couldn’t there be a bridge between my two passions, medicine and travel? Why couldn’t there be a company that catered to travelers like me, who needed access to essential medical care and medications without the exorbitant costs or inconvenience?
And so, my vision began to take form, and I took the bold step to create my own company, a refuge for those who wish to explore the world with the confidence that their health needs will be met. This vision evolved into a mission – to provide online pre-travel meds and urgent care that is convenient, accessible, and, above all, affordable.
Beyond just serving the niche population of travel medicine, I wanted to reach out to those in between journeys, providing services like prescription refills up to three times a year, addressing issues such as erectile dysfunction, and treating simple urgent care matters such as urinary tract infections, skin infections, COVID-19, and even dental pain. The goal was clear: to offer on-demand healthcare for those with adventurous spirits.
My message to the world is simple: while we’re here to provide pre-travel meds and urgent care, we also encourage those with chronic issues to establish and follow up with a primary care physician or provider. This is my story, a tale of unyielding passion, unconventional paths, and a commitment to making healthcare a traveler’s ally. My company, TravelMeds2Go, is the manifestation of my journey, a journey that combines two passions to create a world where wanderers can explore with both health and adventure in their hearts.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. My journey has been filled with struggles that have molded me into the resilient individual that I am today. Some of those challenges have included:
1. Balancing work and education: Working full-time while pursuing my college education, thus juggling the demands of both work and academics.
2. Racial bias and military challenges: Encountering prejudice from a midshipman in the Navy who questioned my ability to attend an Ivy League school because of my race and enlisted status.
3. Financial Hurdles: Having to rely on substantial loans to cover living expenses during both my undergraduate and medical school years.
4. Doubts and discouragement: Experiencing discouragement from individuals who suggested I explore fields other than medicine.
5. Navigating the unknown world of business: The challenges associated with starting a business when I didn’t have prior knowledge in this area.
6. Obstacles in entrepreneurship: The continuous roadblocks faced when establishing and growing my business.
7. Dealing with Bureaucracy: Wrestling with the bureaucratic processes involved in setting up corporations and obtaining medical licenses, to name just a couple.
These struggles, though formidable, have ultimately played a pivotal role in shaping my unique journey and have led me to create a business that’s poised to make a significant impact on the world of travel medicine.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about TravelMeds2Go?
My travel medicine business has a distinctive story and purpose. It is a unique fusion of two passions – medicine and travel. We specialize in providing essential medical services and medications to travelers, ensuring that they can explore the world with peace of mind. What truly sets us apart is the fusion of convenience, accessibility, and affordability. We understand the needs of travelers and offer online urgent care services tailored to their requirements. We’re not just a travel clinic; we’re a one-stop solution for a range of medical needs, including prescription refills, treatment for common ailments, and even consultations related to erectile dysfunction. We take pride in bridging the gap between travelers and medical care, making essential medications and services accessible. We’re proud of our commitment to affordability without compromising on quality. We want readers to know that we’re more than just a business – we’re your partner in adventure. Whether you’re gearing up for your next expedition or need assistance with an urgent health concern, we’re here for you. Our brand is synonymous with convenience, reliability, and a commitment to your well-being. Our aim is to empower travelers to explore the world without health-related worries, knowing they have a dedicated source of medical support.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future revolve around expanding the reach of our services. Currently, we are licensed in 15 states, and among those, only nine permit the type of telemedicine we specialize in. Each state has its unique regulations regarding the practice of medicine via telemedicine, and our approach, known as asynchronous telemedicine, sets us apart.
In our process, the patient’s interaction with the doctor doesn’t occur in real time. Instead, patients complete an interactive online interview, and subsequently, I review their responses, formulate a treatment plan, and issue prescriptions electronically. The patient then sends the prescriptions to their chosen pharmacy electronically. While some states have been cautious about asynchronous telemedicine due to the absence of face-to-face video interaction, research has consistently demonstrated its safety and cost-effectiveness, particularly for specific medical conditions.
The field of telemedicine is ever-evolving, and as people become more comfortable with asynchronous telemedicine, I anticipate that state laws will adapt accordingly. My vision is to obtain licensure in all 50 states, enabling us to offer our services across the entire United States. We look forward to making our convenient and cost-effective approach to healthcare accessible to as many people as possible.
Pricing:
- $25 for most visits/$75 for Travel Meds Kit or General Online Interview
- $25 for prescription refills (includes up to 3 prescriptions)
- $25 for all listed urgent care visits and erectile dysfunction consults
- $75 for Travel Meds Kit (includes up to 5 prescriptions of your choosing)
- $75 for General Online Interview Visit (for anything not listed in the list of conditions we treat)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TravelMeds2Go.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelmeds2go
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelmeds2go?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-m-allen
