By Jennifer Farnsworth
After 19 years of practicing emergency medicine, Dr. Clara Somoza felt the time was right to start her own practice. As a doctor of osteopathic medicine, Somoza offers a patient-focused approach to health care that looks into a patient’s physical, personal and spiritual well being.
Somoza said not only were her emergency room patients wanting her to offer a place to continue care, but her colleagues were hoping she would do so as well.
“My children are getting older, and I could see there was a true need from those around me for what I can offer them. The time seemed right for me to be able to do this, and so far the response has been really positive, people seem happy to now have the option to come and see me,” she said.
Osteopathy on Broadway is located at 340 Broadway, Suite 1, Saratoga Springs, and is available by appointment only.
She said people trust in her ability to provide them with care that is tailored to them, and not just a generic plan. Even in the midst of a pandemic, Somoza has managed to create a welcoming space where people know they can safely visit and receive the care they need. She manages the entire practice on her own, making it as paperless and efficient as possible.
“People who I have treated know what I can do. There have been some challenges with the virus but I have worked to try and make the run as seamless as I can. My son has helped me with the website where people can book online. I work here alone, so that limits the amount of unnecessary contact. I really am a one-woman operation,” said Somoza.
Osteopathic physicians assist the patient’s innate capacity to heal by acknowledging and addressing the interrelationship of the body’s nerves, muscles, bones and organs. Somoza said what she practices helps to counteract relying on unnecessary opioids.
“With gentle hands-on techniques while recognizing nature’s laws and the body’s inherent capacity for recovery, osteopathy can help restore your health and ease your pain,” said Somoza.
Somoza continues to work part-time in emergency medicine at Ellis Hospital’s Medical Center of Clifton Park and Albany Medical Center/Saratoga Hospital’s Malta Medical Urgent Care.
She is a resident of Saratoga, which was part of the reason she decided to open her practice in the city.
Learn more about Dr. Somoza and osteopathic medicine at www.osteopathyonbroadway.com or by calling 518-290-0840.