Frances Velez, MD

I am originally from Puerto Rico and am the only physician in my immediate family. Raised by a single mother who inspired me to dream big, I developed a deep interest in biology, social sciences, psychology, and health from a young age. In medical school, I enjoyed many subjects, but ultimately, family medicine seemed like the best fit for me. Very early in my training though, I realized "healthcare" is mostly "sick care". Determined to broaden my expertise and explore approaches to optimizing wellness, I sought out electives in functional and alternative medicine. I graduated from medical school in 2009. I then completed an intensive internal medicine internship at New York Hospital of Queens, a very busy and diverse program in Flushing, NY. During my family residency in Philadelphia, I furthered my learning by taking extracurricular courses in nutrition and health coaching. After residency, I moved to Austin, TX, where I practiced at a busy Federally Qualified Health Center, serving a diverse and underserved population with complex medical needs. I then worked as a hospitalist at Austin's busiest hospital, treating extremely complex cases. After this, I needed a reset and completed a transformative Yoga Teacher Training in Indonesia. This experience profoundly impacted me, and I knew I needed to practice medicine differently. In 2018 I moved to Summit County, Colorado, after meeting my now-husband. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I provided telehealth services across nine states while completing a fellowship in Integrative Medicine in 2020. I later transitioned to practicing urgent care and family medicine in Summit County, where I continue to bring a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to healthcare. I am board certified with the American Board of Family Medicine and constantly reading the most up-to-date medical modalities. Currently, I am completing additional certification in nutrition, personal training, and Longevity Medicine. My personal interests include: meaningful relationships; serving my community; spending quality time with my 2 children and husband; yoga; weight training; aiming to be the best and most honest version of myself.