Meet Radiance

The Radiance Mission

I believe everyone deserves compassionate and respectful medical care. I have spent most of my career working in medically disenfranchised communities and have come to the understanding that the way medicine is practiced in the US does a disservice to patients, communities, and physicians. 

I believe racism, sexism, homo/transphobia, fatphobia and xenophobia are public health hazards. I believe the US medical system has perpetuated these rather than addressing them and their consequences. I believe capitalism, for profit (and fake ‘not for profit ‘) health systems are, by their very nature, disempowering for all involved and the mutual aid model is invaluable for marginalized communities.

I believe that addressing social determinants of health and trauma at individual and community levels is a key to restoring health. I work within a Health at Every Size ® paradigm, and realize that shaming people has never led to outcomes that are beneficial to well-being. I believe the word “fat” is a noun and adjective, not an insult or diagnosis. 

I practice with a harm reduction approach that recognizes the discrimination folks face in the health care system based on race, color, religion, national origin, immigration status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability. 

I believe that while medical technology is great, relationships are at the heart of healthcare. The newest, most expensive trend is not often what is needed. 

I believe in slow medicine – leaving the assembly line modern “medico-industrial complex” for Direct Primary Care, which affords me the time needed to address you as an individual person with unique challenges and gifts.

Meet the Radiance Team

Vicky Borgia MD Headshot

Vicky Borgia, MD

Vicky Borgia is a board certified family medicine physician with over twenty years of experience. She practices ‘womb to tomb’ medicine with special interests and training in reproductive health, LGBTQIA health, and integrative medicine.

I earned a BA in Women’s Studies from Columbia University at the dawn of intersectionality, and an MD from SUNY Brooklyn (aka Downstate). I completed my residency at UCSF Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa, CA and attended a faculty development fellowship in Addressing the Health Needs of the Underserved at UCSD. I am board certified from the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine. 

The demographics: I am a white cis fat queer able-bodied woman who, by lottery of birth, was born to middle class parents. I have two now over six-foot ‘gaybies’ born via low-tech alternative reproductive techniques. When I am not working, I am schlepping my sons to baseball events, walking, reading, participating in social justice activism and occasionally getting in precious couch time.

Visit Our Office

1229 S 6th St Philadelphia, PA 19147

 

Our office is located in East Passyunk and only minutes from the Italian Market, the cornerstone of our neighborhood’s deep history and diverse immigration patterns. We are proud to be part of one of Philadelphia’s most vibrant and culturally diverse neighborhoods. 

Accessibility: To enter our office, a portable ramp can be put in place above the two exterior steps. Inside our office is one level with a short ramp. Please contact us in advance of your visit if you need assistance. 

Radiance Medical Group Office Exterior

Radiance in the News

Philadelphia Gay News announces 48 Most Influential LGBTQ+ Leaders for 2024

Acknowledging those who have made significant contributions to LGBTQ+ health, mental health and overall well-being. These champions have prioritized LGBTQ+ health and wellness, driving progress in mental health services, HIV care and inclusive health practices.

20 million Americans still don’t have enough to eat. A grass-roots movement of free fridges aims to help.

In hard-hit neighborhoods of Philadelphia, residents set up free fridges to feed hungry neighbors. It’s part of a mutual-aid movement that took off during the pandemic.

Phillies Frontline Heroes

Phillies fans shared personal video testimonies of local essential workers who stepped up to the plate to help the city and the community during the pandemic.

From these 500 nominations, 41 extraordinary frontline heroes were selected to have the distinct honor of being spotlighted on street banners that surround Citizens Bank Park for the 2021 season.

This Local Doctor Wants to Make Healthcare More Accessible

An interview with Dr. Vicky Borgia, a Health Hero Challenge 2020 nominee. Vicky speaks to several facets of the systemic challenges healthcare faces.
"I center access, inclusion and equity in my direct primary care practice, which enables me to take the time I need with my patients and give the care they deserve."

Weight Stigma Is Getting in the Way of Your Health

Bias against people with obesity happens everywhere. The most f*cked-up place might be your doctor’s office.
Weight stigma—being blamed, teased, bullied, mistreated, or discriminated against because of your size—happens everywhere in our society. Workplaces, schoolyards, clothing stores, airplanes, Instagram posts, Hollywood, and even at home via the jabs of friends and family. But it’s disturbingly pervasive in healthcare.

Compassionate And Respectful Medical Care - Dr. Vicky Borgia

Episode 27 of Fat Joy with Sophia Apostal

Dr. Vicky Borgia (she/her) is a primary care physician whose clinic offers “compassionate and respectful medical care” focusing on gender affirming care, queer care, and Health at Every Size principles. All aspects of Vicky’s practice have been thought through with a focus on patient safety and comfort for all bodies
Vicky Borgia - DPC - Radiance Medical In the news

This Alternative Healthcare Plan Is Replacing Traditional Insurance Models

In October, Dr. Vicky Borgia opened Radiance Medical Group in South Philadelphia. It is one of 30 DPC centers in Pennsylvania and one of only four such centers in Philadelphia. NextHealth PHL spoke to Dr. Borgia about why she chose the DPC model and why she thinks it will be an important option for patients now and in the future.

South Philadelphia Doctor Helps Out Community During Coronavirus Outbreak

When Dr. Vicky Borgia of the Radiance Medical Group is not caring for patients at a local urgent care, she’s handing out sanitizer to neighbors and strangers in South Philadelphia. “We’re part of the community and in times like this, community has to come together and take care of each other.”

Body-Positive Doctors Exist — It’s Called Practicing HAES

Weight discrimination is a widespread problem in America, including in healthcare. Many medical professionals — some of whom have told the media that “obesity is the biggest threat to the health of our nation” — vilify fat people for their bodies and dismiss their medical histories without considering anything other than weight.

Groceries & Toilet Paper? Check. Hormones? Not So Simple.

Advice for Lesbian, Bi and Queer Women
For many trans and non-binary individuals, HRT and hormone blockers are a critical part of staying well or even surviving, but many will go without during quarantine. Some will lose access due to a lapse in health insurance coverage, an inability to afford medication due to job loss or reduced pay, the lack of transportation to clinics and pharmacies, relying on a provider who is difficult to reach right now, and a variety of other reasons.

Events with Radiance

We are looking forward to hosting more events when they are not hazardous to you or the community. Stay home, stay safe!

Radiance Partners

Christie Eastburn, LCSW

Christie Eastburn, LCSW

Christie Eastburn, LCSW, offers individual therapy for adults and teens, using an integrative approach drawing from psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, feminist and strengths-based practices, tailoring to and honoring the unique needs of each client in a safe, judgement-free environment where you feel heard.
Ally-Wellness

Ally Wellness

Ally Wellness provides physical therapy and personal training services online, outdoor, or in-home. Ally Wellness strives to provide inclusive, compassionate and whole-person care that is accessible to traditionally marginalized individuals and our allies.
Home Body Therapy

Home Body Therapy

Home Body Therapy offers therapy services that focus on yo-yo dieting & binge eating, eating disorders, perfectionism, body image and health & wellness obsession to help clients heal from the toxic effects of diet culture because you are fully worthy of dignity, love, pleasure and respect in the body you’re in at this very moment.
Nonnormative Body Club

Nonnormative Body Club

Nonnormative Body Club provides personal training, group fitness and wellness workshops on a sliding payment scale with the goal of creating accessible fitness spaces for those of us whose bodies and identities rebel against normative definitions of beauty and health.

Find out if Radiance is what you're looking for.

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