Today we’d like to introduce you to Arlene Betancourt
Hi Arlene, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After completing medical school at the University of Puerto Rico, I moved to Dallas to train in internal medicine. Although I had originally considered specializing, I fell in love with the holistic aspect of internal medicine. During the past two decades, I have practiced in various settings including community practice, caring for the underserved, and academic medicine.
In 2019, I completed fellowship training at the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine. My fellowship training and experience in integrative medicine have opened my awareness to consider the whole patient – mind, body, spirit and community – and how our relationships with one another can help promote healing. I am currently the medical director for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where I help oversee the academic and clinical training of future health professionals.
I am passionate about advancing whole person health and wellbeing for everyone, especially for marginalized populations. I have designed and implemented innovative programs that integrate behavioral health, clinical pharmacy, and chronic disease management into primary care, resulting in improved outcomes and reduced disparities in access to care. I’m also a board member for Rosa es Rojo, where I have designed and implemented an empowerment class series for Hispanic women. I use mindfulness, movement, and creative expression to inspire people to enhance their resilience and fulfill their potential.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Throughout my life experiences as a Latina growing up in Puerto Rico and as a woman physician caring for marginalized populations in Dallas, I have witnessed and experienced many challenges. Structural racism is at the root of intergenerational trauma and poverty, perpetuating the disproportionate chronic disease burden people living in disadvantaged conditions suffer. The racial groups that carry the burden of inequity and disease are underrepresented both in clinical and leadership positions, further complicating the dismantling of barriers and power hierarchies.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Part time – Medical Director, Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern Department of Physician Assistant Studies – My role involves teaching, curricular innovation and design, and mentoring. I have designed and implemented a new professional development series which utilizes a mind-body medicine framework. I’m also the faculty leader for the multidisciplinary Integrative Medicine in Residency Program, a collaboration with the University of Arizona.
Nonprofit board member and advocate – Rosa es Rojo, Inc. Designing and teaching a virtual class series on empowerment for Hispanic women. My classes incorporate elements of mind-body medicine including yoga, self-compassion and shame resilience.
Healthcare consultant and speaker – Expert physician leader in integrative internal medicine. Completed leadership training in academic integrative medicine. Designing and facilitating experiential workshops for whole health, professional development and mentoring. TV and social media speaking on COVID prevention, vaccination, long COVID.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love reading and learning – books, new recipes, new places and cultures, creative projects. Right now, I’m experimenting with watercoloring!
I love spending time with my husband and son and visiting my parents in Puerto Rico.
I love teaching – I always learn something new from my students.
I dislike traffic (you will find me singing along to Latin music to relieve the stress).
I dislike dishonesty. In my personal life and in my workshops, I explore how cultivating our own intuition can help to develop better clarity and decision-making abilities.
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