The LAFP is honored to recognize Kenneth Aguirre, MD and Natalie Trujillo-Aguirre, MD – a husband and wife, faculty members at LSU Health Shreveport and fellow soldiers in the US Army as our April Members of the Month.

Dr. Ken and Dr. Natalie are both first generation Americans whose parents immigrated from Ecuador. Dr. Ken was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Natalie was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. After graduating high school in 2001, they both enlisted in the U.S. Army. They initially met in 2002 while attending Surgical Technician training at Ft. Sam Houston, TX and reconnected in 2006, while both assigned to serve in South Korea. They later married in 2011. Both obtained a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Health Sciences at the American Military University in Charlestown, West Virginia followed by Dr. Ken attending Columbia University to complete his postbaccalaureate in Pre-Medicine and Dr. Natalie attended The University of California, Riverside to complete her postbaccalaureate in Pre-Medicine. Both then attended medical school at the American University of the Caribbean in St. Maarten and completed their Family Medicine residency program at the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, CA. During their last year of residency, both commissioned as officers in the U.S. Army Reserves. Dr. Ken is board-certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine and Dr. Natalie is board-certified in Family Medicine.

We asked them why they chose to be family physicians. Dr. Natalie responded, “I think the Army prepared us to take on various tasks with the idea of completing “the mission.” Similarly, Family physicians have the mission of caring for the entire patient, while addressing a variety of medical concerns. There is a wide variety of pathology to be addressed and building connections with our patients and seeing their health improve is very rewarding.” Dr. Natalie continued, “my parents inspired me to choose to be a physician. They worked so hard and had true grit to overcome so many obstacles while living in a new country and not speaking the language. Yet, they never gave up to ensure we had a great future and positive outlook in life.” Dr. Ken echoed Dr. Natalie’s comments. “My parents inspired me. They were both very hard working since coming to the US.”

Dr. Ken’s military career includes enlisting in the U.S. Army on active duty from 2001 to 2007. During his first obligation, he served stateside at Fort Leonard Wood, MO and overseas in South Korea. He is still currently serving in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Captain. Dr. Natalie’s military career includes enlisting in the U.S. Army on active duty from 2001 to 2007. She served stateside at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX and overseas at the 121st CSH in Seoul, South Korea. She also serves as a medical officer in the U.S. Army Reserves, having been recently promoted to the rank of Major. We asked them how they balance the demands of working as full-time faculty Family physicians with continued service in the U.S. Army Reserves. Dr. Natalie stated, “Balance is very challenging, but it is such an honor to put on the uniform and represent the U.S. Army. We have served in the enlisted ranks and now serve as officers. We’ve lived in various states to include living overseas. And we have been able to serve in the U.S. Army and work as faculty due to our amazing family support. From receiving their care packages early on in our training to most recently having them live with us to help care for our kids, which has been extremely helpful. Also having a daily schedule and routine has helped us a lot with our young children.” Dr. Ken continued, “We try to do our best every day for our patients while at work and then ensure we are present when we get home and focus on our family.”

They describe their most memorable experience as being able to work alongside each other.

Today both Dr. Natalie and Dr. Ken are Assistant Professors at LSU Health Shreveport. Dr. Natalie specializes in disease prevention and health promotion in acute and chronic diseases in the outpatient and inpatient setting. She is bilingual, fluent in Spanish. Her areas of interest include providing care to underserved communities locally and abroad in medical missions. Dr. Ken specializes in nonoperative musculoskeletal injuries, concussion, ultrasound guided injections, disease prevention, acute and chronic disease management. He is also the Associate Program Director for the Sports Medicine Fellowship Program at LSU Health Shreveport. Both Dr. Ken and Dr. Natalie continue to serve in the US Army Reserves.

The Aguirre’s are excited to call Shreveport home. They have a son, Kaleb, and a daughter, Olivia, and a rescue pup named Copper. Both are committed to community service and family. They enjoy travelling, sports and anything that gets their family out in nature.

The LAFP thanks Dr. Kenneth Aguirre and Dr. Natalie Trujillo-Aguirre for their continued to service to our nation in the US Army Reserves and is truly honored to recognize as our April Members of the Month!