Designing a 50-State Telemedicine Career on Your Own Terms with Dr. Takashi Nakamura

In this episode of Startup Physicians, Dr. Alison Curfman interviews Dr. Takashi Nakamura, an emergency physician whose search for a simple telemedicine side gig evolved into a fully remote, 50-state clinical career and a leadership role in digital health.Takashi shares how wanting to be more present for his young family in Hawaii led him to explore telemedicine, ultimately becoming licensed in all 50 states plus DC. That national licensure opened unexpected opportunities: medical group ownership, corporate practice of medicine (PC) leadership, compliance roles, and executive positions within rapidly scaling digital health startups.The conversation explores:How telemedicine side work grew into a high-leverage, location-independent physician careerWhat PC ownership and corporate practice of medicine mean for early-stage startupsThe path from clinician to executive without an MBA or formal business trainingWhy an abundance mindset is essential in the physician innovation communityThe lifestyle transformation that telemedicine can offer—holidays off, nights at home, flexibility, and autonomyHow Takashi’s program, All In Remote / ER Physician Academy, helps physicians obtain multi-state licensure and uncover both clinical and non-clinical roles in digital healthHow physicians can transition into advisory roles, administrative positions, executive leadership, or even launch their own companiesThe episode highlights the vast—and often unseen—career landscape available to physicians beyond traditional brick-and-mortar practice, and how telemedicine can serve as both a bridge and a springboard to greater freedom, fulfillment, and impact.Listeners who are contemplating career redesign, craving flexibility, or seeking meaningful work beyond conventional practice will find a roadmap filled with possibility.00:01 – Welcome & Introduction to Dr. Takashi Nakamura00:45 – From ER Shifts to Telemedicine as a Side Gig02:20 – Getting Licensed in All 50 States and DC03:56 – PC Ownership, Corporate Practice of Medicine, and Compliance08:13 – Executive Roles, Medical Groups, and Learning on the Job14:42 – Creating All In Remote and ER Physician Academy17:40 – Helping Physicians Replace Income and Expand Opportunities22:04 – From Virtual Clinical Work to Executive and Founder Paths23:52 – Redesigning Career, Holidays, and Lifestyle Around Your Values26:14 – The Upside of 1099 Work and Working on Your Own Terms27:51 – Final Advice: Find Like-Minded Physicians and Positive Communitywebsite: airphysicianacademy.com