I CAN FEEL YOUR PAIN- Dr. Franchesca Fiorito, Headache Center in Puerto Rico

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
-Harper Lee, How to Kill a Mockingbird.

AS A DOCTOR, having to treat an unknown diagnosis can be a challenge, that was not the case for Franchesca Fiorito. She suffered from headaches since late adolescence, but her headaches became worse during her medical school years. "Stress and poor sleep were both a trigger for me, and during medical school and residency training, these were unavoidable triggers. I was officially diagnosed with migraine at the age of 27, this is when I understood how relevant of disease it was."

Medicine came as no surprise to Fiorito, as even in her early school years she was a science-oriented person. She graduated from the University of Puerto School of Medicine in 2010 but knew in her heart she wanted to do more. "I was fascinated with the human brain. I had great mentors who pushed me to do more, as I always enjoyed research and learning. I felt there was not enough emphasis on headache medicine in Puerto Rico, and I wanted to contribute."

It was 2014 when she completed her residency in neurology at Boston University Medical Center. She then proceeded to undergo a fellowship which was completed in 2015 in the field of headache and facial pain at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. And from there, she has been spearheading the Headache Medicine Field back in Puerto Rico. “I was born and raised in New York until the age of 10, but then moved to Puerto Rico given that my mother is Puerto Rican. I have always loved Puerto Rico so much; I knew I wanted to return to the island and give back to my people and increase awareness for such a disabling disease like migraine."

Her return to Puerto Rico was not easy, it was a whole different environment. "I had to start a practice from scratch, even medical insurance practices were different." Being a woman in a male-dominated field was challenging, but she worked closely with the community of neurologists to make her dream a reality. "I have been practicing medicine in Puerto Rico for six and a half years, and for the first six years of that time, I was the only fellowship-trained board-certified headache specialist."

FIORITO HAS BEEN WORKING HARD TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE DISEASE, MOTIVATE NEW GENERATIONS TO GO INTO THIS UNDERSEEN FIELD, AND ADVANCE FEMALE PHYSICIANS.

Fiorito is grateful for the tremendous scientific advances made to help patients manage migraine pain. “The tools now available have made a huge difference in alleviating so much suffering that results from this neurological disease,” says Fiorito. She adds that the latest advances in treatment block a neuropeptide, CGRP, which is known to be one of the underlying causes of migraine disorder. For example, Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) is the first and only treatment that can both stop a migraine attack and prevent them as well.

Fiorito has been working hard to raise awareness of the disease, motivate new generations to go into this underseen field, and advance female physicians. She is currently working with the American Migraine Foundation to help underprivileged communities gain access to headache medicine. In Puerto Rico, she has worked to help create a curriculum in headache medicine for neurology residents at the University of Puerto Rico. In the future, Fiorito aspires to establish a migraine foundation locally.

The strength and drive she displays at her age are inspirational and originated from her upbringing and personal struggles. "My mother is my role model. She is someone, who despite her limitations [a disease that is disabling her sight] continues to care for others. She has always taught me to keep going."

As she continues her professional journey, she wants to continue her advocacy for the well-being of others. "It gives me purpose to help others live better lives," she emphasizes.