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