Dr. Roy Rivera, born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, has dedicated his career to advancing the field of physical therapy while championing diversity, equity, and inclusion within healthcare. After completing his undergraduate education at Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX, Dr. Rivera moved to Houston in 2003 to pursue a Master’s in Physical Therapy at the University of Texas Medical Branch, becoming a licensed physical therapist. His commitment to education and excellence is evident in his attainment of two doctorate degrees: one in Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University in Provo, UT, and another in Health Studies from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX, between 2007 and 2013.
In 2014, Dr. Rivera founded Elation Physical Therapy, a Certified Minority and LGBT Business Enterprise® with four locations across the Greater Houston area, serving Harris, Brazoria, and Fort Bend counties. His practice is distinguished by its focus on providing rehabilitative services tailored to the LGBTQ+ community, addressing the unique challenges they face in healthcare. Elation Physical Therapy strives to provide a safe, inclusive environment where all individuals can access the care they need without fear of discrimination.
Dr. Rivera’s exceptional work has garnered significant recognition. In 2022, his practice received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Dream Big LGBTQ-Owned Business Achievement Award and the Greater Houston LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce’s LGBTBE® Certified Business of the Year Award. Additionally, Dr. Rivera was named one of Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 in 2020, and Elation Physical Therapy frequently appears in their Top 10 Book of Lists for the Largest Houston-area LGBTQ-owned Businesses.
“He has a heart of gold; he is detail-oriented, intelligent, passionate, and so generous with both his time and effort. In these ever-changing times of turmoil and uncertainty, when so many people have been made callous and selfish, Roy shines like the gem he is. The pandemic has not impacted his ability and desire to leave this world a better place and it shows in his work both inside and outside of his practice.” -
Brandi M. Lira, M.Ed. (OFE Executive Board Director)Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Rivera is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ youth. He served on the Board of Directors for the Houston Tennis Club (HTC), where he organized annual charity tennis tournaments, raising thousands of dollars for HATCH, an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ youth. In his final year with HTC, Dr. Rivera successfully transitioned the beneficiary of their charity efforts to Out for Education (OFE), a leading LGBTQ+ scholarship-granting foundation. His dedication to this cause led to his appointment as Treasurer on the Board of Directors at OFE, where he continues to make a profound impact.
Dr. Rivera’s commitment to the community extends through his work at Elation Rehabilitation, where he pioneered rehabilitation services for transgender patients who have undergone gender-affirming surgeries. His facility remains the only one of its kind in the nation, reflecting his innovative approach to integrating LGBTQIA+ medical needs into physical therapy practice.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dr. Rivera is the deserving recipient of the 2024 APTA Private Practice Community Impact Award.
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