Columbia Alumni Rafael Rodriguez-Torres
How/ why did you come to Columbia?
I chose to come to Columbia as I had always wanted to live in NYC and it was one of only a handful of programs, that took my entire profile, and who I was as an individual, into account. I appreciated that Columbia didn’t just look at what was on paper, and rather considered me as a person and what I had to offer to their program.
What event in your life triggered your decision to pursue becoming a Physical Therapist?
There is no single event that triggered my decision to pursue a career as a physical therapist. From an early age, I watched my mother struggle with a host of health issues, many of which were exacerbated by lack of access to healthy movement opportunities, and inadequate empowerment to incorporate movement into recovery after periods of illness. Though she did work with rehab medicine often, including physical therapists, I always felt that the level of care provided was subpar and there was room for improving this field of healthcare. I personally enjoy connecting with people and have always valued the idea of optimizing movement and exercise and felt like a career as a physical therapist would be a great fit for me.
How do you think your Columbia education prepared you for the work you're doing?
Currently, I work as a research physical therapist at the pediatric MDA clinic/SMA Clinical Research Center, here at CUIMC. Columbia prepared me immensely for the work that I am currently doing. Many of the breakthroughs that have occurred in the neuromuscular field, especially in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), is in large part due to the basic science work and clinical research that has been done by scientists and clinicians at CUIMC, including at the Motor Neuron Center, the Neurology Department, and in the PT program. Dr. Jackie Montes’ previous and current work played an integral role in piquing my interest in working with individuals with neuromuscular conditions. She was a great mentor to me during my time as a student—now, as a colleague, she remains a trusted source of knowledge that I continue to count on.
Have you pursued an advanced degree, residency/ fellowship, continuing education?
No I have not pursued any advanced degrees or certifications, though I have dedicated myself to growing within the neuromuscular space by enrolling in courses such as the STEP-IN SMA foundations course, led by Dr. Jackie Montes and Dr. Jean Timmerberg. I continue to be involved in clinical research in this space and have some projects that I am currently working on. I hope to obtain the Pediatric Board Certification soon and hope to enroll in a PhD program within the next few years.
How do you feel about Hispanic Heritage month and what does it mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month represents an appreciation for a large group of individuals, cultures, and communities, as well as recognition for the contributions by the Hispanic community towards shaping modern day society. Growing up in a community that was largely comprised of individuals from various Latino cultures, I am appreciative of the fact that we are indeed not a monolith. As a community, we appreciate the similarities we share in being Hispanics, yet celebrate the many distinctions that exist between us, our cultures, and our histories. This is a beautiful thing to me.
Please speak a little about yourself, what your hobbies are, anything that you would like us to know.
My hobbies include running, spending time with family, including my wife and French bulldog, and enjoying a good time with the many friends we have. I am an avid distance runner and dedicate a lot of my spare time towards being the best endurance athlete I can be. I enjoy traveling and have been lucky to have done lots of it during the past year. All told, I am thankful for the work that I do and the people in my life.