Dr. Eric Villanueva joins physical medicine and rehabilitation staff at Methodist

Eric Villanueva, MD, points to his pediatrician as a major influence on his health and eventual career in medicine. Facing worsening asthma and the risk for diabetes as a child, Dr. Villanueva lost 80 pounds with the help of his provider.

“He really encouraged me to get better and feel better about myself,” Dr. Villanueva said. “He was also very encouraging through medical school and my journey into physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R). So I want to pay it forward and help other people who have their own health issues to achieve their goals.”

With PM&R, also known as physiatry, he’s found the perfect fit caring for patients who have experienced musculoskeletal injuries, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and strokes. He’s especially passionate about helping amputees and cancer patients with lymphedema, fatigue or cognitive or mobility issues.

“After a devastating illness or injury, many people may think their lives are irrevocably changed,” said Dr. Villanueva, who cares for patients at Methodist Physicians Clinic and Methodist Hospital. “My job is really to be kind of a quality-of-life physician. I love working with patients facing unimaginable challenges to achieve their physical, psychological, social and vocational goals.”

Dr. Villanueva values the long-term relationships he builds with his patients and colleagues, and he believes those bonds are essential to achieving the best outcomes.

“What I love is getting to know people on a personal level, and patients in particular, so I can try to get them to the place they want to be,” he said. “And I think that's what's so great about Methodist – that we have such a collaborative team that is going to try to accomplish those functional goals for patients. I think that with the right team, with the right people and with the right goals, there's really nothing that we can't do for our patients.”

Outside of work, Dr. Villanueva loves visiting friends and family across Nebraska with his wife. He’s also a fan of the Creighton basketball and Husker football teams, and he enjoys reading historical fiction and science fiction books.