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.