Lauren Bueno

PT BEGINNINGS

I grew up loving sports and helping others and I feel physical therapy is a great mix of the two. It brings me joy to assist patients in their journey whether it be to play with their grandkids again or if they are getting back on to the playing field. My mother is a retired physical education and health teacher, so I assumed I would follow close in her footsteps in becoming a teacher or a volleyball coach. My interest in athletic injuries developed as a volleyball player in high school. I became fascinated with watching how our athletic training team cared for its student-athletes, including myself on occasion. While obtaining my undergraduate degree at UTSA (Go Runners!), I discovered the field of physical therapy. I was given the opportunity to work with Kinetic Kids programs and earn my bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

My path to becoming a Physical Therapist was an unconventional one as I first became a Physical Therapist Assistant in 2012. After seven years of working in an outpatient clinic, it was time for me to return to school to pursue my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. Since I’ve always loved school and learning it was an easy decision to apply for the Bridge PTA to DPT program at UTMB in Galveston. It is among one of the first of its kind and the program brought many students who were all Physical Therapist Assistants with various backgrounds together from across the country. I’m grateful to have learned from my classmates and was honored to share my knowledge with them as well since teaching is in my blood. I graduated with a DPT degree, took and passed the licensing exam, then began practicing as a licensed PT shortly after. I’ll always look back fondly at the somewhat unconventional path I took to become a physical therapist.  

DELIVERING GREAT CARE

My professional goal is to pursue additional educational opportunities and to keep up with current evidence-based research so I am able to provide the best care. I want to provide each patient with the tools they need to get back to living the life they desire. I believe the relationship between a therapist and patient should be a team-like approach to care. The opportunity to make a positive impact on someone and better their quality of life brings me so much happiness and makes me proud to be a part of the physical therapy profession.