Introducing Claudia I. Martinez, MD

Introduction:

Hello! My name is Claudia I. Martinez. I am currently a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Fellow at UTHealth Houston. I graduated from University of Houston in 2013, then completed medical school at UTHealth Houston in 2020 and recently completed Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency at UTHealth in 2024. I am the first person in my family to graduate college and the first to become a doctor.

Why did you choose the PM&R Department at UTHealth Houston?

I was first exposed to PM&R as a patient at TIRR. In 2017, during my second year of medical school, I had a stroke to the cervico-medullary junction that left me unable to function from the neck down. I was then transferred to TIRR for my rehabilitation, and it was then that I fell in love with the field and people. I couldn’t imagine completing my PM&R training anywhere other than TIRR.

What are your long-term career plans?

I hope to one day be able to take care of my patients both in and beyond the doors of the hospital. I recently established my own non-profit organization and hope to be able to grow the organization to be able to help my patients with what they need. As a patient myself, I know what it is like to have your whole world turned upside down and I hope to give patients their lives back so they can live the life they have imagined. As a physician with a disability, I hope to have a seat at the table where discussions and decisions over accommodations for medical education are taking place to enact change.

What is your area of specialty and what got you interested in that?

My specialty is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R). I am pursing a subspecialty in Spinal Cord Injury as a current fellow. I was drawn to this area because of my own experience with a Spinal Cord Injury as a patient. I had a stroke to the cervico-medullary junction in 2017, during my second year of medical school, during my 6th brain surgery. I was then transferred to TIRR and cared for by a PM&R SCI doctor who absolutely changed my life. She is one of the main reasons why I am here today and why I have been able to continue my education to become a doctor with a disability.

What are your hobbies outside of work?

I love spending time with my family, baking, decorating, growing flowers and do enjoy retail therapy. I used to love playing my violin, soccer, volleyball, run but have been unable to since my stroke, but working each day to one day get there.