Zubin Damania

Zdoggmd

Zubin Damania is an American physician, entrepreneur, and healthcare visionary. He is widely recognized for his innovative approach to healthcare reform and his advocacy for a more patient-centered approach to medicine. Damania is perhaps best known for founding Turntable Health, a Las Vegas-based direct primary care clinic that was part of the Downtown Project, an ambitious urban renewal project funded by Zappos.com CEO Tony Hsieh. Despite Turntable Health's closure in 2017, Damania's efforts have continued to influence discussions on healthcare innovation and reform.

Early Life and Education

Zubin Damania was born in New Jersey to Parsi parents from India. He grew up in a household that valued education and the sciences, which led him to pursue a career in medicine. Damania attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a bachelor's degree in molecular and cell biology. He then went on to receive his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he also completed his residency in internal medicine.

Career

After completing his residency, Damania joined the faculty at Stanford University, where he worked for nearly 10 years. During his tenure at Stanford, he became increasingly frustrated with the limitations and inefficiencies of the traditional healthcare system. This frustration led him to explore alternative models of care that prioritize patient well-being and preventive care over profit and procedural volume.

In 2012, Damania was approached by Tony Hsieh to join the Downtown Project in Las Vegas, an initiative aimed at revitalizing the city's downtown area. Inspired by the project's vision and the opportunity to innovate in healthcare, Damania founded Turntable Health, a direct primary care clinic. Turntable Health was designed to offer comprehensive, personalized healthcare services for a flat monthly fee, eliminating the need for traditional insurance billing. The clinic emphasized preventive care, mental health, and wellness, and integrated technology and team-based care to improve patient outcomes.

Despite its initial success and positive reception, Turntable Health was forced to close its doors in 2017 due to financial challenges and the complexities of integrating with the broader healthcare ecosystem.

ZDoggMD

In addition to his work in healthcare reform, Damania is also known as ZDoggMD, a persona he created to produce medical satire and parody videos. Through ZDoggMD, Damania addresses serious issues in healthcare, including patient safety, physician burnout, and healthcare policy, using humor and music. His videos have garnered millions of views on YouTube and other social media platforms, making him a prominent voice in the healthcare community.

Impact and Legacy

Zubin Damania's work has sparked important conversations about the future of healthcare in the United States. His advocacy for a more humane, patient-centered approach to medicine has inspired healthcare professionals and policymakers alike. Although Turntable Health is no longer operational, its model of care and Damania's broader vision continue to influence healthcare innovation and reform efforts across the country.

See Also

• Direct primary care
• Healthcare reform in the United States
• Patient-centered care