Exploring Life & Business with Angela Ruiz of Angela Ruiz SLP Services, PLLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Ruiz.

Hi Angela, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey to becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) began even before I fully understood what the field entailed. In high school, my initial aspiration was to become an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician. However, after discovering Linguistics, I felt drawn to that path instead—and then, life happened. At 18, my family moved from New England to Texas shortly after my baby brother was born. Upon arriving in Texas, we realized my baby brother faced more significant developmental delays than his cleft lip and palate initially suggested; he was diagnosed with Chromosome 18 syndrome. Watching him receive physical and speech therapy was a turning point for me. It was through his absolutely amazing speech therapist, Ms. Sarah, that my eyes were truly opened to the impact of speech-language pathology.

I began my academic journey as a single mother, working while pursuing my Bachelor’s degree. Later, while I was working toward my Master’s, my grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Witnessing the care he received at a VA nursing home solidified my professional purpose; I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
Although I began my career in the Rio Grande Valley, I have spent the majority of my professional years here in Houston. While my early experience focused on pediatrics, I eventually transitioned to adults, which has been the focus of most of my career. Along the way, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with the Michael J. Fox Foundation as a speaker on the ‘Parkinson’s IQ + You’ panel, and I have collaborated with a local chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to speak on Alzheimer’s and dementia a few years in a row.

Ever since I was a graduate student in 2007, I held onto a dream of owning my own business. I kept that goal in the back of my mind for years, and today, that ‘someday’ has finally arrived. Although the road here was often rough, with detours and significant roadblocks, I refused to give up.

I am now a proud Medicare provider for Speech Pathology services and am actively accepting new clients. My practice offers bilingual services in both English and Spanish, provided via Telehealth or through a concierge model where we come directly to the client—though we are looking into a dedicated office space for the future. We specialize in the area of voice therapy due to Parkinson’s, specifically offering the SPEAK OUT!® and LSVT LOUD® programs.

While our primary focus is adults, we are also hoping to offer services for the pediatric population for dysphagia, post COVID language delays and certain motor speech disorders. My ultimate vision is to expand into a multidisciplinary practice including Physical and Occupational Therapy, as well as other consultative services. In the meantime, if we cannot provide a specific service ourselves, we are dedicated to providing referrals to ensure every client finds the best fit for their needs.”

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been anything but smooth; it has been a journey defined by detours, sacrifices, and significant roadblocks. Balancing the demands of building a career as a single mother was a major feat, but the systemic hurdles in healthcare were just as intense. I navigated a system where Medicare payment models often made speech therapy feel like an afterthought, and where ‘productivity’ metrics began to overshadow actual patient success and the value of our field as speech pathologist.

The weight of that environment, followed by the compassion fatigue and personal loss of the COVID-19 era, forced me into survival mode for a long time. My professional growth had to take a backseat to the daily ‘grind’ of simply making ends meet.

But through it all, I refused to give up on the vision I’ve held since 2007. Today, as a Medicare provider and business owner, I have finally moved from survival to a place where I can prioritize the person over the productivity. My business is the result of that refusal to quit, allowing me to provide the bilingual, specialized care my patients truly deserve.”

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Angela Ruiz SLP Services, PLLC?
About My Business: Compassionate, Bilingual, Concierge Care

What We Do & Our Specializations
My practice provides specialized Speech-Language Pathology services to the Houston community, with a primary focus on adult neurological rehabilitation. We are known for our expertise in treating Parkinson’s disease, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s. We are proud to offer two of the most effective, evidence-based Parkinson’s programs available: SPEAK OUT!® and LSVT LOUD®.

While our core focus is on adults, we also provide, specialized Pediatric services specifically for pediatric dysphagia (feeding/swallowing) and motor speech disorders. Despite not being currently in network with private insurance or state Medicaid plans, we are happy to provide “superbills” for our clients to submit to for reimbursement.

What Sets Us Apart
What truly distinguishes my practice is our concierge-style service model. We recognize that for many of our clients, transportation and clinical environments can be a barrier to progress. To solve this, we come to you—offering therapy both via telehealth and in-person in the comfort of your own home.

Additionally, we are a fully bilingual practice, providing therapy in both English and Spanish. In a diverse city like Houston, being able to communicate with a patient in their primary language isn’t just a convenience; it’s a clinical necessity for better outcomes. Finally, as a Medicare provider, I have intentionally built this practice to prioritize patient progress over productivity metrics, ensuring that the human being in front of me always comes first.

What I Am Most Proud of Brand-Wise
Brand-wise, I am most proud of our resilience and integrity. This business is the realization of a dream I’ve carried since 2007. Despite the “roadblocks and detours”—from navigating the pandemic to overcoming the burnout of the traditional healthcare system—I refused to compromise on my vision. Our brand stands for the idea that healthcare should be personal, accessible, and driven by the same compassion I felt when advocating for my own brother and grandfather.

What Readers Should Know
We are currently accepting new clients and looking forward to eventually expanding into a multidisciplinary space with Physical and Occupational Therapy, Nutritional services and more. Whether you are a senior navigating a new diagnosis or a parent seeking feeding support for your child, we are here to help. If we aren’t the perfect fit for your specific needs, we will advocate for you by providing trusted referrals. Our goal isn’t just to provide therapy; it’s to be a resource for you and your care partners.

What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is clinical integrity—the autonomy to ensure that a patient’s actual progress, rather than an insurance company’s policy, dictates their care.

In traditional settings, rigid definitions of ‘medical necessity’ often force an end to therapy before a client is truly ready. By offering wellness and coaching plans via private pay, I can provide a true continuum of care that bridges the gap insurance leaves behind. This flexibility allows me to prioritize the human being over the paperwork, ensuring my clients receive the long-term support and expertise they need to have true quality of life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AngelaRuizSLP.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelaruizslp/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-ruiz-ms-ccc-slp-65a49660