Boomerang Healthcare's Lead Nurse Practitioner Alyssa Gomez knew from a young age that the medical field was her true calling. Her story is one of inspiration and triumph.
Tell us a bit about yourself. (Education, hobbies, what you like to do in your spare time, etc.)?
I was born and raised in Santa Cruz County, California. I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Santa Clara University and received my Master’s degree in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner (NP) from Samuel Merritt University in 2016. Boomerang Healthcare (formally IPM Medical Group) was part of my last clinical rotation; I fell in love with what we do here at BHC, was offered a position, and started at our Los Gatos clinic three weeks after graduating.
I believe that self-care is essential for maintaining a balanced, happy life. I enjoy intentionally moving my body, whether that be lifting weights or cardio followed by the steam room for some relaxation. I recently finished a 10k race in Las Vegas, running down the strip at night. I am passionate about watching sports also; my teams are the SF Giants, SF 49ers, and LA Lakers. My favorite place on earth is Disneyland!
What is your favorite program or treatment at Boomerang Healthcare?
Our Functional Restoration Program (FRP) is by far my favorite program. I signed on as a provider with BHC because of this program; it fills my cup daily and the reason that I am still here almost 7 years later. I have seen how so many lives positively change because of our FRP program. Patients come to us in pain, vulnerable and want to be fixed and all their pain gone.
We are not miracle workers; however, we do everything possible to prepare our patients for success and help them return to a happy and healthy life. We do this by creating a personalized patient treatment plan in our matriculation model. First, patients are referred to conservative care in the form of physical therapy, acupuncture, psychology, chiropractic services, and updated imaging/diagnostics when medically appropriate. Patients then may progress to interventional procedures or surgery if they are a candidate. Once the patient has exhausted conservative care or hasn’t already been determined to reach Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI), returned to work, or reached Permanent and Stationary (P&S), they may be a candidate for our Functional Restoration Program (FRP). If the patient meets the criteria, they are evaluated through a Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (MDE) program to determine if they could be a candidate for the Functional Restoration Program.
Once the patient has enrolled in the Functional Restoration Program, they receive a comprehensive set of tools to add to their toolbox to help them build a strong foundation for lasting change. These tools include flare-up management, stretches, exercises, an anti-inflammatory diet, changing mindset, deep breathing techniques, managing stress, depression, and anxiety related to their pain, and so much more. I love seeing our patients return to a functional, happy, and healthy place in their lives.
What brings you the most joy at Boomerang Healthcare’s clinics?
I enjoy coming to work each day; I love what we do. Seeing the light return to our patients’ eyes as they overcome hardships and witnessing their entire life begin to heal brings me joy. Some days are more challenging than others; we handle some catastrophic cases as well as navigate the worker’s compensation system. I couldn’t make it through the day without the support of my team; we encourage one another, which ultimately empowers our patients. This positive atmosphere enriches my job as the APP Lead. I get to share our holistic multidisciplinary approach with our new hires and witness their excitement as they see it work for their patients.
Do you have a favorite patient story?
There are so many favorite stories, but one patient I was especially impressed with was a woman who had been on high-dose opioids for over twenty-five years. By the time she came to me, her condition was worsening, and she was considering having another surgery. I felt like another surgery was not the best course of action. I asked her if she would be willing to try a medication used to taper off opioids while simultaneously participating in our Functional Restoration Program. She agreed to do it and all of her hard work paid off. After a year, she came to the office and said, “I was on this medication for so long that I began to believe that I felt like myself, but I didn’t realize how foggy my mind was or that I could feel this happy, thank you for helping me regain my life.” I was so proud of her. I can’t describe how rewarding it is to be part of their journey.
What’s the best part of working with the Boomerang Healthcare team?
I love that Los Gatos has a large clinician team; it’s such a positive and welcoming environment. Even with its large size, we are close-knit like a family, and we enjoy hanging out inside and outside work. The doctors on staff are always available to answer questions; we have weekly meetings to address patients’ individual care plans. It’s great to meet with the physical therapist or psychologist; right there, face to face. I don’t need to call a different office and maybe get a voicemail. I can walk down the hallway and get an answer immediately so we can take care of the patient quickly and effectively. I love having a complete multidisciplinary center under one roof.
Now that I have been able to visit the majority of the clinical sites and meet with the other APPs, MDs, and staff my BHC team family has grown. Everyone I have met brings a unique perspective and truly enjoys doing what they do. I love that our leadership team is easy to go to for support and is open to feedback and dialogue. Everyone has a voice at BHC and I am thankful to be part of a compassionate team; it makes each day more meaningful and, in my opinion, sets us apart in the industry.
