Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez

This #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth, let’s include people with #LongCOVID. Cognitive dysfunction, headaches, and fatigue are real, and research and treatments are needed.

It’s not a coincidence to me that #BrainInjuryAwarenessMonth and #LongCOVID awareness happen together. The cognitive symptoms my patients describe overlap in real, meaningful ways… and deserve the same validation, research, and treatments. 🧠

Honored to keynote LMSA Southwest Regional Conference.

First-gen. No roadmap. No representation.

I shared how my grandfather’s stroke - and his lack of rehab care - shaped my fight for health equity.

Merit isn’t a strategy.
You can’t be what you can’t see.

The future of medicine is bright.

New paper out: “Disparities in Spasticity Access and Care” in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinics of North America.
Link: authors.elsevier.com/a/1mdZ%7E3kH...

We outline structural barriers, referral gaps, and workforce challenges, and why rehab must lead in closing them.

YouTube video by Saebo, Inc. Spasticity Without the Plateau: Science, Access, and the Path Forward

Now Live - Spasticity Without the Plateau: Science, Access, and the Path Forward

🎙️ 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 🎙️

youtu.be/8T_wEm5ekVU?...

I worry I scarred my kids by dragging them to the hospital for work urgencies.

Nicolas said it wasn’t often.
Lina said she loved it. Staff was kind, she got to read her book, & they told her how smart she was. “It was the best for an 8-year-old girl.”

Didn’t scar them with this at least 😜

My warmup for a great time at #Physiatry26

Me to my son: “Do you use the Oxford comma?”

Son: “I am not a barbarian, of course I do.”

Husband (barbarian) rolls eyes.

New free resource for physicians!

Post-stroke spasticity is frequently missed but early identification makes all the difference. AAPM&R’s new microlearning series helps physicians who don’t treat spasticity learn more on the topic!

Start learning today: ow.ly/K0fz50Y9lmc

If you recognized Ricky Martin at the halftime show, it’s time for your mammogram

The real MVPs

This is a flyer for the Rest & ME/CFS research study, IRB number 26-6. It says "participate in a survey about rest, energy, and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". In the upper right corner it says “Questions? Email Study Co-PI Victoria: empwrtc@protonmail.com”. Below the header is interwoven circles, one is black with text that says Fully Virtual, low- energy version included. The circle behind is an image of white silk wrinkled. Next to it text says “To participate you must be: Over the age of 18 AND EITHER Have ME/CFS worked with at research (self or professionally diagnosed) or be A medical/healthcare provider who has least one person with ME/CFS, currently practicing or conducting research”. Below this it says learn more at www.restandmecfs.com There are two icons on the bottom left corner. One says ETC and above it are six icon-stick figure people holding hands in a circle. Next to it is Cal Poly Pomona's logo, a diamond with an orangey yellow background and palm trees and a building inside. The Cal Poly Pomona Institutional Review Board has reviewed and approved for conduct this research involving human subjects under protocol IRB 26-6.

PLRC member Dr. Copeland has launched a research study on rest, energy, & #MECFS — open to people with ME/CFS & healthcare providers who are currently practicing or conducting research & have had at least 1 patient or participant with ME/CFS.

More info: restandmecfs.com

And the Grammy goes to… the 5th edition of Frontera’s Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 😭🦿♿️📖🤓

Excited to finally see this book in print. Thank you to all the contributors and for all you are giving to our field!
#PMR #Physiatry #MedEd

7/ 📚 Learn More: www.mdpi.com/3697662
Dive into the full study for detailed insights into gender disparities in PSS treatment with OnabotA.
Let’s work together to improve outcomes for all patients! #MedicalEducation #StrokeRecovery

6/ 🔬 Key Finding 5: More research is needed to explore gender-specific factors in PSS treatment outcomes. Tailored approaches could improve equity & optimize results for both male & female patients. #HealthEquity #StrokeAwareness #SpasticityTreatment

5/ ⚠️ Key Finding 4: Females experienced more treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (75.9% vs. 63.5% in males) & serious TEAEs (29.6% vs. 16.5% in males). Only 1 serious TEAE was related to OnabotA, reported by a male patient. #PatientSafety #MedicalResearch

4/ 💡 Key Finding 3: Male patients consistently showed better outcomes across all assessments, including pain reduction, spasticity severity, stroke recovery, & functional goal achievement. Females improved but at a slower rate. #StrokeOutcomes #Rehabilitation

3/ 📈 Key Finding 2: At baseline, females had higher BMI (28.3 vs. 26.9 kg/m²) & were more likely to take analgesics (40.7% vs. 31.8%). Males were older (63.0 vs. 57.9 years) & had higher body weight (82.0 vs. 74.3 kg). #HealthDisparities #StrokeCare

2/ 📊 Key Finding 1: Female PSS patients received lower doses of OnabotA compared to males across most treatment sessions. Despite similar baseline spasticity levels, females showed lower improvements in pain, spasticity severity, stroke recovery, & functional goal achievement.

🧠 New Study Alert! We explored gender differences in post-stroke spasticity (PSS) treatment with OnabotulinumtoxinA (OnabotA). Key findings reveal disparities in dosage & outcomes between male and female patients. #StrokeRecovery #Spasticity #MedicalResearch 🧵/

Long COVID Linked to New-Onset Allergies Mounting evidence points to a link between new-onset allergies and Long COVID, with mast cell activation syndrome as a potential culprit.

“We have seen asthma, allergic rhinitis, hives/urticaria, environmental and food allergies, with the most common being asthma. But then there is also a good subset of patients developing mast cell activation symptoms,” -me

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/...

Function. Collaboration. Whole‑person care.
PM&R continues to lead the future of recovery.
Sharing my 2026 In’s & Out’s to spotlight where our specialty is going next. 🌟
#Physiatry

Absolutely, many people do experience grief, especially early on. That grief deserves care and support.
The issue is when outsiders label disabled bodies as tragic rather than honoring people’s own lived experience and resilience.

The problem isn’t disability. It’s the stigma around it. #RehabMed #DisabilityJustice

NBA Fans Heartbroken After Gregg Popovich Appears Frail in Rare Public Appearance Fans reacted as Gregg Popovich made a rare public appearance at an Austin Spurs G League game, receiving a standing ovation.

There’s nothing “heartbreaking” about aging or disability. It is part of being human. Showing up anyway deserves respect. 🐐

www.totalprosports.com/nba/fans-hea...

Timeline cleanse. Some of the Van Gogh paintings I saw today at the Barnes Foundation…

New one… I was introduced by a patient’s mom as the Botox Artist and I feel seen! 💉🎨🖌️👩🏽‍🎨

I start many of my talks on health disparities with this quote, and with a photo of my grandfather, who never had access to stroke rehab. This work will always be personal. #MLK

UT Health SA PM&R = 2026 Top Docs. Proud of this team! 👏 #TopDoctors2026 #PhySKYiatry

Had an incredible time at #Toxins2026 in Madrid! 🇪🇸
I presented on optimizing treatment for post‑stroke spasticity and shared several posters.
Always inspiring to connect with colleagues from around the world who are just as passionate about advancing neurotoxin science. 🧠✨