Today we’d like to introduce you to Jared Friedman.
Hi Jared, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Having moved to Miami about 6 years ago from the Washington DC Metropolitan Area, and NYC before that, I was always greeted with the same cliche question, “What do you do for a living?” After answering, “Doctor,” the follow-up question was always, “What kind?”
Still to this day, with every new introduction – the proverbial light bulb goes on – eyes light up and cellphones are taken out to grab my number “in case” one of their children needs anything! Being a Pediatric and Pediatric Emergency Medicine trained Physician is something I do not take for granted. It is a true honor to care for children in their healthiest (and sickest) moments.
There are times in the middle of an ER shift that I call my wife to say, “I love you. Please give the kids a hug and kiss for me.” And, there are also times that I am hugged and kissed myself by the Abuelos in the room with their little Johnny or Sally. Each day I go on the shift in the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital ER (or House Call), I “check my ego” at the door and prepare myself to be a member of the Team.
It doesn’t matter what letters are on the front or at the end of my name on my ID badge, what matters is the ONE solitary goal of helping children. By providing real-time education, medical information, anticipatory guidance, and frequent follow-ups to the Families, I am using a shared decision-making model to care for each child as MY very own. And that is why I do this each and every day. To me, that is priceless!
Being able to differentiate between what is truly an “Emergency,” “Urgency,” and “Non-concerning or Routine” was always something that came naturally to me. In fact, being Jewish, and living in an Orthodox Community, I would always get a WhatsApp or text message, phone call, or “excuse me” in the supermarket, synagogue, or on the street regarding someone’s child. With a smile on my face, I always tried to help as best as I could. It was my way of being G-d’s “Medical Messenger.”
Even as Families were beyond grateful for my pro-bono care, they had always encouraged me to start my own Concierge Practice. In their words, “Jared, you would make a killing because this is what we need in Miami!” As time went on, and we lived through such polarizing times with COVID, many Families started (and still are!) moving down to Miami for “quality of life.”
The time came for STARDOC to be born. STARDOC’s vision is bringing bespoke, unparalleled Concierge care via the skills, expertise, and openness in communication to each individual Family in the comfort of their own home.
When you are part of STARDOC, you are not just part of a boutique Pediatric Concierge Service – you are part of our Family.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I have failed in life… more than once. But, I always ask myself, “Is the ‘juice’ worth the squeeze?” With STARDOC, it most certainly is! From studying long hours of rote memorization for tests, evidence-based articles, and educational textbooks to practicing technical procedures and medical skills during didactics to working seemingly endless shifts in the Hospital/ER missing meals or your children’s bedtime to communicating with Co-workers and Families all the while being empathetic to their problems and worries, practicing medicine is not easy at all. But it is definitely rewarding.
Having graduated from an Ivy League University, trained in multiple well-respected Hospitals, and currently serving as Medical Author, Lecturer, and Expert Witness, combined with me being Core Education Teaching Faculty, Clinical Affiliate Assistance Professor, Medical Director of PPEC Centers, and On-Line Medical Control/Medical Advisory Board Member for Hatzalah South Florida, I definitely have my hands full.
However, in juggling these roles, as well as starting my new endeavor of STARDOC Pediatric Concierge Services, I never lost sight of my end goal – always striving to be the best Physician (and Father/Husband) I can all the while realizing the importance of playing an integral role in caring for these children and helping them live (a healthy) life to their fullest. To me, that is worth it all!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
STARDOC is the name of my Pediatric Concierge Practice that provides personalized, high-quality Pediatric and Pediatric Emergency Medicine care to Families who live in/around (or frequently/visit) Miami via word of mouth or referrals only.
My goal is to provide 24/7/365 direct access, calls/texts/video, Telemedicine consultations, and individualized House calls caring for all Pediatric concerns including in-home services (point-of-care testing and blood work, dispensing medications, suture/laceration repair, respiratory treatments, orthopedic injuries, burns care, abscess drainage, IV hydration, and other in-home procedures) if warranted.
In addition, with my STARDOC Medical Network, I provide direct communication and close follow-ups utilizing my professional relationships with Pediatric Subspecialists and Children’s Hospitals/ERs around the nation and the world. Moreover, I also offer private CPR/Choking/Anaphylaxis/First Aid and Pediatric Emergency Skills workshops, Travel accompaniment on Family vacations, special events, and other affairs, a personalized travel medical bag, and weekly Pediatric Tips/Guidance with Parental Check-Ins.
Finally, as part of my STARDOC “Pay-It-Forward” Initiative, I provide a 10% donation to each individual Family’s personal choice of a Charity Organization, as well as offer Pro-Bono Pediatric Concierge Services for two Families annually (one that is a US Veteran Family and the other that is an Indigent Family).
Overall, in bringing the Pediatric and Pediatric Emergency Medicine skills, expertise, knowledge, education, information, and anticipatory guidance to my family, I provide the peace of mind of knowing your children are cared for like my very own (three) children!
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Words of wisdom for those just starting out:
-Preparation is everything – do your homework and learn the lay of the land.
-Always surround yourself with much smarter people than you.
-Check your ego at the door – don’t be afraid to ask for help or fail.
-Realize that you cannot please everyone – but always be true to yourself and your beliefs.
-Life is dynamic – it’s all about reassessments and follow-ups.
Finally, just GO FOR IT!
Pricing:
- Inquire Within
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stardocpeds.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stardocpeds/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stardoc-pediatrics-4a87a0232/
