ASRA Pain Medicine Update

Saltillo, Coahuila, México, remains my home, despite being born in Grand Rapids, MI. Although my journey has since taken me across borders—from Michigan to Kansas City, Houston, and now Miami—Saltillo remains the foundation on which I have built my life and career. It is where I learned the value of family, perseverance, and community; where I developed my work ethic; and where I first began to understand that opportunities are not equally distributed.

Growing up in México, I faced many challenges that taught me resilience, humility, and resourcefulness—qualities that continue to guide me as a physician today.

My path to medicine has been anything but linear. I completed my undergraduate education at Michigan State University, followed by medical school at Kansas City University. I finished my surgical internship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and now serve as a physical medicine and rehabilitation resident in Miami. Each chapter has added another layer to my identity, but my Mexican heritage has remained the common thread throughout.

Growing up between cultures has made me more open to different ways of experiencing illness, healing, or resilience. It has challenged me to listen more intently and to approach each patient encounter with curiosity and respect.

One of the greatest gifts my upbringing has given me is the ability to speak different languages. Speaking Spanish has allowed me to connect with patients in ways that transcend a medical history or physical examination. This has been extremely important in Miami and Houston, cities rich in Hispanic culture. There is something profoundly meaningful about seeing a patient's face soften with relief when they feel understood. The sense of familiarity carries a powerful sentiment, especially when patients have difficulties assimilating to their new “home.” Communication is a powerful intervention, especially in medicine.

I have personally witnessed how language barriers can lead to confusion, delayed care, and feelings of isolation. Whether translating complex medical terminology, discussing rehabilitation goals, or simply asking a patient about their family, speaking Spanish has allowed me to build trust and foster meaningful relationships with those I serve.

Growing up between cultures has made me more open to different ways of experiencing illness, healing, or resilience. It has challenged me to listen more intently and to approach each patient encounter with curiosity and respect.

As I look back on my journey—from a young girl in Saltillo to a resident physician serving patients in Miami—I am reminded that heritage is not simply where we come from; it is the lens through which we see the world. Similarly, home is not only a place—it represents the values we carry with us wherever we go. My Mexican heritage has taught me perseverance in the face of adversity, compassion in moments of suffering, and gratitude for every opportunity I have been given.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, I celebrate the prior generations who made it possible for me to pursue my path through their sacrifice. I bring their stories with me into every patient room, every procedure, and every milestone. They remind me that representation matters and that our backgrounds are not limitations to overcome, but strengths to embrace. I am proud to be a Mexican physician in training. I am proud to speak Spanish with my patients. And I am proud that no matter how far my journey takes me, a part of Saltillo will always stay with me.

Elisa Chaparro, DO, is a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) resident at Larkin Community Hospital South Miami Campus in Miami, FL. Originally from Grand Rapids, MI, she grew up traveling between Michigan and Saltillo, Coahuila, México. She earned her undergraduate degree in microbiology from Michigan State University and her medical degree from Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She subsequently completed a surgical internship at Baylor College of Medicine before pursuing her training in PM&R.

Her clinical and academic interests include interventional pain, chronic pain in neuromuscular disorders, neuromodulation, spasticity management, and sports-related injuries. She is actively pursuing fellowship training in interventional spine and pain management, with a goal of combining procedural expertise, rehabilitation, and multidisciplinary approaches to improve patient functionality.