DEI&B Bridging the Gap Scholarship

As a first-generation queer Mexican-American and soon-to-be physical therapy student, I proudly identify as a member of multiple underrepresented groups- culturally, socioeconomically, and in terms of sexual orientation. I will be the first in my family to earn a doctoral degree, and I carry the weight of that responsibility with pride and purpose. After completing my Master's in Coaching and Exercise Science in 2021, I spent three years building real-world experiences, refining my goals, and preparing myself to return to academia. I enter physical therapy school with a perspective shaped by perseverance, intersectionality, and a deep commitment to uplifting the overlooked. Growing up in a working-class Mexican-American household in San Diego, I rarely saw medical professionals who looked like me, spoke my language, or understood my family's cultural values. Healthcare often felt like something we engaged with out of necessity rather than trust or comfort. As a queer person, I've also experienced how assumptions, lack of inclusivity, and unconscious bias can negatively affect the quality of care and the willingness to seek it. These layers of underrepresentation have not discouraged me- they've clarified my mission. I want to be the kind of provider I wish my community had: someone who listens without judgement, communicated across cultures, and understands that identities like race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality shape health experiences in real and nuanced ways. Whether it's a queer teen recovering from surgery who needs emotional safety in addition to physical healing, or a Spanish-speaking elder uncertain about the value of PT, I want to meet each patient where they are- with cultural humility, empathy, and evidence -based care. Over the past 11 years, I coached water polo across all levels- from youth to college. This experience developed my ability to build trust, encourage growth, and empower individuals from all walks of life. Coaching isn't just about athletic performance- it's about helping people feel seen, capable, and valued. These are exactly the outcomes I hope to bring into the physical therapy space, especially for marginalized patients who may feel invisible in clinical environments. The physical therapy profession grows stronger when it reflects the diversity of the populations it serves. As a bilingual, queer, Mexican-American provider, I aim to help expand that representation- not just in appearance, but in action. My presence in the profession alone will speak volumes to young patients, queer individuals, and LatinX families who haven't often seen themselves in healthcare roles. But I also plan to go further: advocating for inclusive care practices, contributing to culturally informed treatment plans, and using my voice to advance equity in the field. I know what it's like to navigate systems not built for you- to feel unseen, unheard, and uncertain. Representation in healthcare isn't a checkbox- it's a foundation. I'm not entering this profession to fit in- I'm here to stand out, speak up, and make space. For every patient who's ever felt overlooked, I'm here to reshape what care feels like- for those who've long stood in the margins.

As a multilingual, culturally diverse woman with roots in both the Middle East and the United States, I identify as a member of an underrepresented group in the healthcare field, particularly in physical therapy. Growing up navigating multiple cultures and languages (fluent in Arabic and English) I’ve witnessed firsthand the barriers marginalized communities face in accessing healthcare, especially in areas like women’s health, where cultural stigmas often silence critical conversations. My unique background equips me with the perspective and skills to bridge gaps in the physical therapy profession, ensuring care is not only accessible but also culturally resonant for underserved populations. My identity as an Arab-American woman informs my passion for specializing in pelvic floor and women’s health physical therapy, a field where cultural taboos frequently prevent women from seeking care. During my time as a physical therapy technician, I encountered postpartum patients who viewed conditions like urinary incontinence as inevitable, unaware of treatment options due to linguistic or cultural barriers. My ability to communicate in Arabic and understand cultural nuances positions me to educate and empower women who might otherwise suffer in silence. For example, I envision creating multilingual resources and community workshops to normalize discussions about pelvic health, particularly for immigrant women. By leveraging my language skills and cross-cultural competence, I can help dismantle the shame surrounding these topics and advocate for inclusive care models that prioritize patient comfort and dignity. Beyond language, my sociological training and volunteer experiences have deepened my awareness of systemic inequities in healthcare. At free clinics serving uninsured patients, I saw how financial constraints limited access to rehabilitation services, reinforcing my commitment to policy advocacy. As a future physical therapist, I aim to collaborate with nonprofits and legislators to expand insurance coverage for pelvic floor therapy, challenging its misclassification as “non-essential.” My background fuels my determination to address disparities not just clinically but also structurally, ensuring marginalized voices are represented in healthcare policy discussions. My perspective also enriches the physical therapy workforce by fostering innovation in patient education and mentorship. As a virtual tutor, I honed the ability to break down complex concepts for diverse learners which is a skill I’ll apply to develop telehealth tools, such as culturally tailored exercise videos for remote communities. Additionally, my journey as a first-generation college graduate and woman of color in STEM inspires me to mentor aspiring DPT students from similar backgrounds. Representation matters, and by sharing my story, I hope to encourage others in underrepresented groups to pursue careers in physical therapy, diversifying the profession and strengthening its capacity for empathy and inclusivity. In a profession rooted in movement and healing, my unique traits being cultural agility, advocacy, and a patient-centered approach align perfectly with the needs of an evolving healthcare landscape. I am not just a future clinician; I am a bridge between communities and care, a voice for the unheard, and a catalyst for equitable change. By embracing my identity as a member of an underrepresented group, I can contribute to a physical therapy workforce that reflects the diversity of the patients it serves, ensuring no one is left behind on the path to recovery and empowerment.