Long before Alejandra Derbigny, PA-C, knew exactly what her career would look like, she knew the kind of difference she wanted to make. Her younger brother has cerebral palsy. Just 10 months apart, the two grew up together as Alejandra watched the medical system become a significant part of his life.
“Growing up, I saw how important healthcare was and how it played such a huge role in my brother’s life”, she shared. “After seeing that firsthand, I knew I wanted to practice medicine.”
But there was another side of the medical system that Alejandra understood from an early age, too.
Raised by a single mother, her family relied on Medicaid. Her mother did not speak English, which meant Alejandra often found herself translating between her mother and healthcare providers. Those experiences gave her an understanding of how complicated—and intimidating—getting care can become when a family is navigating language and resource barriers.
“I definitely knew what kind of community and population I wanted to serve.” That conviction eventually led her to pediatrics.
Alejandra grew up in the Dallas area and received her bachelor’s in biology from The University of North Texas; she later went on to attend UT Southwestern where she earned her Masters of Physician Assistant.
After PA school, Alejandra went straight into pediatrics. She loved the continuity of care and the opportunity to build strong, long-term relationships with families.
Today, Alejandra focuses on pediatrics and preventative care, but much of her philosophy comes down to something deceptively simple: she wants families to ask questions.
“I want my patients and their families to feel heard and empowered. As a provider, I want them to understand their child’s health, feel comfortable asking questions and feel like we’re working together as a team. I don’t want families to feel like they’re being told what to do. I want them to understand and know what’s going on.”
As a provider fluent in both English and Spanish, she is also able to offer families something she knows the value of personally: care in their own language.
“I also understand how intimidating healthcare can feel when there’s a language or resource barrier. So, being able to provide care in both languages is something I’m grateful for.”
And if parents aren’t sure whether they should ask something? Alejandra’s advice is easy: ask anyway.
“There’s no such thing as a dumb question”, she said. “The biggest thing in pediatrics is education, so it’s our job to help you understand.”
Outside the health center, Alejandra spends as much time as she can with her husband, family and friends. She loves to travel, particularly anywhere with a beach, takes fitness classes and recently added a new hobby to the mix: golf.
Ultimately, the experiences that first drew Alejandra toward medicine are the same ones that continue to shape the way she practices today.
“I’m grateful that I get to take the experiences I had growing up and use them to help other children and families feel heard, supported and empowered.”