David Ramirez

MY START IN PHYSICAL THERAPY

I was 16 years old when I first realized I wanted to be a Physical Therapist. I had just broken my hand in three different places sliding into second base and thought for sure my baseball career was over before it had even started. Of course, it wasn’t, but I can honestly say it was in large part due to my Physical Therapist. He was kind, understanding, knowledgeable, and confident in his skills and his ability to get me back to playing ball. I remember thinking to myself, “THIS is what I want to do with my life.” I wanted to make a difference in someone’s life. While getting back to the playing field may not have been that important in the grand scheme of things, it was extremely important to me. It made all the difference in the world to me at that point in my life. That’s why I’m here: I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I want to inspire, heal, and educate. I know not everyone’s story involves getting back to a sport, but there are things every person wants to get back to doing. Returning to things that they could do may make all the difference, both physically and emotionally, in the world to people. Physical therapy gives me the unique opportunity to come to work everyday to try to accomplish this by using my love for sports, exercise, and science.

MOVING FORWARD

The healthcare profession is always growing and changing, and if the goal is to serve and heal, one must change and grow with time. Through continued formal education, collaboration with my colleagues, and/or reading/self-study I plan to be a life-long learner so that I can do my part in helping give this profession the recognition it deserves, as well as provide my patients with quality care. As a matter of fact, I am currently enrolled in a Fellowship with the Institute for Athlete Regeneration to earn a distinction as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT). I intend to continue to dedicate myself to my profession by staying hungry and never being satisfied with my knowledge base.

BALANCE

I enjoy being outdoors and as active as humanly possible. My beautiful wife and I enjoy hiking, running, exercising, and cooking healthy. While I enjoy pizza, hamburgers, and lounging around the house on Sunday afternoons just as much as the next person, I know there is balance that must be maintained in order to be able to live life to the fullest. I have had the opportunity to share my passion and knowledge with students, athletes, and prospective patients around the city and educate them on what health, wellness, and physical therapy is all about. In addition, I have assisted at charity events during the holidays, at Goodwill and various nursing facilities to assist with the elderly. San Antonio has become my new home (I am originally from the great city of El Paso, TX) and I look forward to continuing serving and helping the community that has been so good to me.