Building Care with Purpose: Claudia Yagel ’11’s Mission Through Yagel Therapy Services  

May 2026
By Alexandra Sanchez ’17 

For Claudia Yagel ’11, occupational therapy is more than a profession — it’s a calling rooted in compassion, community and lived experience. As the founder of Yagel Therapy Services and a clinical assistant professor at UTEP, Yagel has dedicated her career to improving the lives of children and families across El Paso while empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals. 

Yagel’s journey into occupational therapy began before she ever stepped into a classroom. Raised by her grandparents, she witnessed firsthand the impact therapy could have when her grandfather, who had Parkinson’s disease, received care at home. 

“I saw the difference it made in his quality of life,” she shared. “I’ve always had a servant heart and that really stayed with me.” 

That early exposure, combined with her experience working at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, solidified her path. There, she was immersed in an environment that included occupational, speech and physical therapy.  

“That’s when I knew—this is it,” she said. “I love that you can be creative and do things that are meaningful to people.” 

After earning her undergraduate degree from UT Arlington and later her Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree from UTEP, Yagel returned to El Paso with a deeper sense of purpose. She went on to earn her doctorate from Texas Tech University in 2022, becoming the first in her family to achieve that level of education.  

In 2015, after several years in the field, Yagel founded Yagel Therapy Services in response to a growing need she observed in the local healthcare landscape. As larger, out-of-town companies began acquiring local practices, she noticed a disconnect in care.  

“Everything was getting routed to bigger cities,” she explained. “El Paso became more of a satellite and things would get lost.” 

Determined to keep care rooted in the community, Yagel built her practice with a focus on accessibility, education and local impact. Today, her organization includes a network of approximately 60 therapists serving families across the region. Her mission extends beyond treatment — she aims to empower families with knowledge and options.  

“Sometimes culturally, families don’t question a diagnosis or recommendation,” she said. “We encourage them to seek second opinions and advocate for their children.” 

Yagel specializes in working with children with autism and developmental challenges, a population she feels deeply connected to. Growing up in a low-income household, she recalls feeling “less than” at times, an experience that shaped her empathy.  

“If I felt that way, I can only imagine how children with disabilities feel,” she said. “I just wanted to help them see they’re capable. That they can do the same things, maybe in a different way.” 

Over the years, she has witnessed the evolving needs within her field, particularly the rise in autism diagnoses. Still, she approaches every patient as unique. “Autism is a spectrum,” she explained. “Even after treating hundreds of kids, I go in with an open mind every time.” 

While Yagel has stepped back from daily clinical work, her impact continues through her team, many of whom have been with her since the beginning. She credits a culture built on trust, growth and genuine care. “We’ve built this together, one brick at a time,” she said. 

In recent years, Yagel has come full circle, returning to UTEP as a clinical assistant professor. There, she mentors students, many of whom are first-generation college students like herself, offering both guidance and inspiration. “If I can help them see something in themselves that they don’t yet see, that’s everything,” she said. 

Her advice to aspiring healthcare professionals and entrepreneurs is simple but powerful: lead with heart. “When your intentions are in the right place, doors will open,” she said. “It’s not easy, but every challenge comes with a lesson.” 

Through her work, Claudia Yagel continues to show that meaningful care starts at the community level, where compassion, connection and purpose come together to change lives.