Joshua Rivera

Josh (he/him/his) grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, hailing from a small town called Pacifica. Growing up, he enjoyed hiking local mountains such as Mori Point, running along the Pacifica beach, watching movies, playing video games, and snowboarding on the slopes in nearby Lake Tahoe. 

Josh wanted to be a doctor since he was 6 years old as a result of the remarkable team of physicians that took care of his grandma during that time. Throughout high school, he participated in health care community service programs such as the hospitality program at Seton Medical Center. Balancing the desire to live somewhere new with wanting to be near home, Josh attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he majored in Integrative Biology, with an emphasis on human biology, and received a minor in Disability Studies. He participated in a global health program through Volunteers Around the World, where he provided basic healthcare to those living in Panama. He conducted research through the apprenticeship program at UCB in cardiovascular disease in the rural South prior to getting involved in neurological surgery research at UCSF as a volunteer and eventually as a clinical research coordinator. 

It was through these endeavors that Josh developed an interest in holistic care, melding clinical practice with understanding social determinants of health whilst also pushing the boundaries of medical knowledge. For medical school, Josh stayed in California but went a little farther away from home and attended the University of California, Los Angeles - David Geffen School of Medicine. At DGSOM, he developed an interest in congenital cardiology, overcoming issues with transitions of care, street medicine, medical education, global health, peer coaching, and mentoring. 

Med-Peds, through its expansive opportunities, was and continues to be the perfect outlet for him to exercise those interests. Having gotten to know the Med-Peds program at UCLA thoroughly during medical school, including the amazing people a part of the program, Josh decided to continue his training in Los Angeles and stayed at UCLA for residency. Currently, Josh is co-president of the UCLA Residents Engaged in Advocacy, Community and Healing (REAHC) program and is involved in a medical education quality improvement project based on specialty clinics in the Med-Peds program. Josh will be starting congenital cardiology research in the near future with our incredible pediatric cardiology and adult congenital heart disease team. 

Outside of medicine, Josh has continued his passion of hiking local mountains around the city of Los Angeles (Temescal being his favorite!) and running along the beach, with Dockweiler being the most prominent. He identifies himself as a foodie and enjoys everything from small taco stands to higher end restaurants in Arts District. His all-time favorite show is Breaking Bad, and he hopes to watch Better Call Saul when he is on a lighter rotation in the future!

Education and Degree(s)

Medical School – University of California, Los Angeles

Undergrad – University of California, Berkeley