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2024 Interviews
Dennis Hernandez, PT, DPT
Rehabilitation Director of Gou wen-out-wuk location of the United Indian Health Services in Eureka CA
Watch interview HERE!
Dr. Dennis Hernandez shares his journey from personal rehabilitation after a baseball injury to establishing a PT program for Indigenous communities. With a background in kinesiology and exercise science, his career evolved from working in a diabetes program to prioritizing community health over traditional sports medicine. He highlights the significant challenges Indigenous communities face, such as limited access to care, long waitlists, transportation barriers, and the effects of living in a food desert. By building trust through shared cultural experiences as a minority and emphasizing health education, he incorporates traditional practices and movement patterns into therapy, fostering a holistic and culturally sensitive approach. Dr. Hernandez engages in community initiatives like elder fitness classes and youth education programs, aiming to "grow their own" Indigenous PTs and OTs to sustain healthcare locally. Reflecting on his COVID-19 experiences, he stress the importance of quality of life and the emotional aspects of care. Advocating for functional, preventative, and community-oriented healthcare, he collaborates with tribal leaders and elders to bridge gaps in culturally competent care. His work emphasizes education, empowerment, and systemic improvements to make healthcare more accessible and impactful for Indigenous communities.