Current title: Professor & Chair of Rehabilitation Medicine, Long School of Medicine at UT Health San Antonio

Residency: Baylor College of Medicine

Medical school: Baylor College of Medicine

Undergraduate: Rice University

Hispanic/Latina/Mexican-American, first-generation in medicine

I am the first physician in my family. I always looked up to my doctors growing up, but none were Latinas (we are very underrepresented in medicine).

My parents stressed the importance of education. They made tremendous sacrifices for me, all so that I could focus on my educational endeavors.

My grandfather had a stroke when I was in college. He never received inpatient rehab.

I found out years later as a rehab physician that this happens to many racial/ethnic minorities.

There are major disparities in access to rehabilitative care. I now practice neurorehab and hope that my work can help end those injustices.

My father was diagnosed with cancer in my second year of medical school. I had a very difficult time concentrating, and I struggled academically during that time.

I remember having thoughts like “I might fail out of med school, will I be able to make it?”

We all need the support of others to guide us through challenging moments in our lives. I really had to rely on my family, friends, and faith to refocus on my goals and be inspired to continue.

There are disparities in access to rehabilitative care for racial/ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, patients with disabilities, and other historically marginalized groups. We must ensure that everyone can access optimal medical care.

To continue to build a more inclusive physiatry community.

Twitter: @MVGutierrezMD

IG: @monicavgutierrez