Dr. Rivera-Martinez:
My father passed away from colon cancer when I was 11 years old.
The physician who took care of our family was the most wonderful human we could possibly have been blessed with. I didn’t know at the time, but I later learned and appreciated that his medical care embodied many of the tenets of Osteopathic medicine. He did so much for our family, making sure that all of us were cared for, not only my father – but my mother, my brother, and myself.
Being the oldest, I had to take on the burden of household responsibilities. Our physician became my idol. Even though I haven’t seen him in years, he still is my benchmark.
Since that time, I’ve wanted to be a physician.
I worked in accounting for many years, because that was the easiest way to make sure I could take care of my family. Once I knew they were taken care of, I moved from Puerto Rico to the US, met my husband, and eventually, took up the challenge to pursue the career that had been my dream all along – being a physician.
AOF: When you first connected with the American Osteopathic Foundation, you were just two years out of medical school, is that right?
Dr. Rivera-Martinez:
Yes! I was a second-year resident, and I received the Emerging Leader Award from the AOF.
That made a great impact on me. I thought: “Wow. Only two years out and here I am.”
Looking back, I now realize I was doing a lot at that time. By then, I had received multiple awards and completed several case presentations at the annual American Academy of Osteopathy Convocation. I served on committees of national Osteopathic organizations, including resident trustee on the Board of Governors for the American Academy of Osteopathy.
One of the most interesting experiences was completing the Training in Policy Studies, which I didn’t know at the time was also funded by the AOF. That program was very impactful for me during my residency year. It was a difficult program for me to do at the time, but I don’t regret it – I learned so much about the importance of healthcare policy issues.
AOF: And we see you still have the Emerging Leader Award hanging on your wall, after all these years!
Dr. Rivera-Martinez:
I do! It really meant a lot to me. The AOF’s Emerging Leader Award confirmed that I was doing great things, and on the right path to helping advocate for the profession, and ultimately, striving for the best outcomes for those in my care.
The award hangs in my office here at NYIT, that’s New York Institute of Technology. Once I joined NYIT as faculty, Dr. Ross-Lee said, “You should do the Health Policy Fellowship.” I wound up completing both the first and second fellowship. Those were really great opportunities for me, because I met a lot of wonderful people. The instructors in those sessions became people who have helped me in so many ways rise to where I am today. Advancing in the profession in places I never imagined were possible.
I now refer to those wonderful people as my Osteopathic family.
AOF: In your current role as the Associate Professor for the Department of Family Medicine at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, you spend lot of time with students. What obstacles do you think this next generation of Osteopathic physicians are facing?
Dr. Rivera-Martinez:
The advances, leaps, and bounds in medicine are making things better, but also more difficult. It takes extraordinary effort to keep up with the changes.
Today, these may be the parameters and guidelines - tomorrow, they might change because of new advances. Technology and medical progress are going to bring wonders, but how we adapt to them is going to define this future generation.
They also face the challenge of being heard and understood. The students I see are very social justice driven. I understand and admire where they’re coming from, and moving those ideas up through the government is going to be challenging for them.
AOF: Do you see participation in groups like the American Osteopathic Foundation as a way to help with those challenges?
Dr. Rivera-Martinez:
Most definitely. We’re prepared to help this generation into their future.
I tell my students to seek out the opportunities the AOF offers. Opportunities that can enrich their lives and career in many ways. We all should know how to advocate for health policy, to help our patients and our profession.
The AOF works to help not only the Osteopathic physician, but also our patients. That’s why I’m so happy to be part of this Foundation. I point students to the things that are being done, including the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) and SOMA Foundation. I let them know very loudly that if they have an interest in these things, they should try to apply to become one of the directors. That would be wonderful both for them and the AOF - actively involved young people talking about what their interests are, which are different from mine, because compared to them… well, I’m old.
They come from a very different place, which to me is very energizing. I love being with them and encouraging them to the best of my ability to seek out what they’d like to do with their life and how they can impact their patients and their community at large.
The people that I’m working with in the American Osteopathic Foundation are all wonderful people. Each of them individually. They all put their heart into this organization.
You don’t always encounter that. Having been on the business side, being on the not-for-profit side is refreshing for me. It’s a different type of work.
It elevates my spirit in a way that I haven’t experienced before.
The connections forged between students and encouraging mentors like Dr. Rivera-Martinez run deep, and continue for decades, throughout the lifetime of a career. The network, financial support, and community involvement the AOF provides are actively empowering the next generation of Osteopathic physicians toward meaningful success.
To nominate an Osteopathic leader for an award, or to apply for a scholarship or grant, visit our Grants, Scholarships, and Awards page. To volunteer, please contact Terry Sanders. To make a gift to the American Osteopathic Foundation, please visit our Online Giving page.
Together, we can continue to elevate Osteopathic medicine and the dedicated DOs who provide it.
