Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez

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Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez
Verduzco-Gutierrez testifying before Congress in 2022
Born1979 (age 44–45)[notes 1]
Wharton, Texas, USA
Spouse
Leonard Gutierrez
​
(m. 2003)​
Academic background
EducationBA, 2001, Rice University
MD, 2005, Baylor College of Medicine
Academic work
InstitutionsLong School of Medicine
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez (born 1979) is an American academic physiatrist and rehabilitative medicine physician. She chairs the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Long School of Medicine within the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and previously served as the medical director of the Brain Injury and Stroke Program at TIRR Memorial Hermann.

Early life and education[edit]

Verduzco-Gutierrez was born in Wharton, Texas to a Mexican-American family. Her father was a pipe fitter by profession but chose to move the family to Rio Grande Valley to return to college and complete a Bachelor's degree. She was raised in Rio Grande Valley and graduated from McAllen High School as valedictorian.[2] During her high school years, she ran on their cross country and track teams.[1]

Upon graduating high school, she moved to Houston, Texas to attend Rice University and earned her medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine.[3] When reflecting on her childhood, Verduzco-Gutierrez said some of her early role models were her pediatrician and family physician, who were both Hispanic.[2] While earning her medical degree, Verduzco-Gutierrez planned to return to her hometown and work as a pediatrician but she soon decided to pursue a different career after attending in a pre-clinical elective course in sports medicine.[4] During her second year at Baylor, she became engaged to Leonard Gutierrez.[5]

Career[edit]

Upon earning her medical degree, Verduzco-Gutierrez completed her residency at between Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health). In October 2009, she accepted an assistant professor position in UT Health's department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.[2] While serving int this role, she was admitted to the Program for Academic Leadership of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a three-year program aimed at developing the "academic leadership skills of early-career faculty."[6] She also was appointed director of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Consult service at Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center and medical director of the Brain Injury and Stroke Program at TIRR Memorial Hermann.[2] As a result of her academic accomplishments, she was inducted into the UTHealth Academy of Master Educators in 2017.[7]

As an associate professor, Verduzco-Gutierrez was chosen to be part of an interdisciplinary team to oversee the clinical trial of the first U.S. patient to participate in a global study of a stem cell therapy injected directly into the brain to treat stroke disability.[8] During the COVID-19 pandemic in North America, Verduzco-Gutierrez was appointed Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.[3] In this role, she oversaw the opening of the post-COVID rehabilitation clinic in South Texas to help treat long-term effects including depression.[9] In 2021, Verduzco-Gutierrez received the Distinguished Member Award from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for her efforts during the pandemic.[10]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ In 2017, Verduzco-Gutierrez was reported to be 38[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Hanc, John (August 15, 2017). "Para Adelante: A Shared Heritage and Speed Helped These Momma-Docs Win Gold". runnersworld.com. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d "Dr. Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez". med.uth.edu. May 21, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Sansom, Will (February 18, 2020). "Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, M.D., to chair the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation". news.uthscsa.edu. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  4. ^ "Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez's Path to Leadership". physiatry.org. February 26, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  5. ^ "VERDUZCO-GUTIERREZ". The Monitor. July 27, 2003. Retrieved July 3, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Congratulations Dr. Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez". med.uth.edu. October 31, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  7. ^ "Academy of Master Educators inducts 12 new members". med.uth.edu. December 12, 2017. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  8. ^ Mann Lake, Deborah (January 26, 2019). "First US patient in novel stem cell trial for stroke disability enrolled at UTHealth". medicalxpress.com. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  9. ^ Guzman-Tracy, Alejandra (August 11, 2020). "San Antonio doctor opening first COVID-19 recovery clinic to help fight long-term effects". news4sanantonio.com. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  10. ^ Alvarez-Hernandez, Juanita (October 19, 2021). "UT Health San Antonio faculty member and physician receives national honor". UT Health. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
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