When I decided to open my physical therapy clinic in January 2018, I chose a location where patients were experiencing limited physical therapy access and often encountering long wait times. I also opted to become an in-network provider for only two insurance companies: Medicare and the Veterans Health Administration.

I made these conscious decisions because I wanted to increase access to physical therapist services for underserved populations in my community: those 65 and older, veterans, and minorities.

I live in an ethnically diverse community, with 83.4% of the population being Hispanic/Latinx. I am a part of the community I serve, not only as a health care provider but also as someone who is Latina. Racial and ethnic disparities have been well documented in research, with gaps in access, quality, and medical care affordability; I am working to be part of the solution.