Rivera Takes Helm at American Thoracic Society, Sharing Lifetime Wisdom Along the Way
M. Patricia Rivera, a renowned medical doctor and leader in the field of respiratory medicine, has been appointed as the President of the American Thoracic Society (ATS). This marks a significant milestone in Rivera's career, making her the first Latino woman and the first faculty member from the University of Rochester Medical Center to hold this prestigious position.
Rivera's journey in medicine began at Pace University, where she was awarded a full scholarship and graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Her passion for medicine was further nurtured as she navigated the challenges of life, including the loss of one of her twin sons immediately after birth in 1994 and the sudden death of her father due to a massive stroke. These experiences have shaped Rivera's approach to medicine, leading her to seek help in the broader community and eventually becoming involved in counseling others as she made her own peace with grief.
Prior to her role at ATS, Rivera served as the President of the American Thoracic Society, a position that highlighted her significant contribution to the pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine fields. During her presidency, she played a crucial role in setting strategic directions for the society and advancing research and clinical care initiatives in thoracic medicine. Although specific detailed achievements during her presidency are not extensively documented, her role as ATS President underscores her status as a highly respected leader and expert in respiratory medicine.
Rivera's career has been marked by numerous accomplishments. At the University of North Carolina (UNC), she founded and directed a Multidisciplinary Lung Cancer Screening Program and co-founded the first Multidisciplinary Thoracic Oncology Program (MTOP) in the country. After joining the University of Rochester Medical Center in April 2022, she was appointed as the Jane Davis & C. Robert Davis Distinguished Professor in Pulmonary Medicine and serves as the chief of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.
In her new role at ATS, Rivera plans to focus on improving access to state-of-the-art care for all people and advocacy against the sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes, particularly to young people. She also leads lung cancer screening efforts at Wilmot, focusing on underserved communities. One of her key initiatives at Wilmot is the implementation of implicit bias awareness training for recruitment committees as part of her work as Associate Director for Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
Rivera's family history is deeply intertwined with her journey in medicine. Her mother studied dentistry and later fled Cuba for South America. Despite being denied the opportunity to attend medical school because she was a woman, Rivera's grandmother became one of the first women to graduate from the University of Havana's School of Pharmacy. These stories of resilience and determination serve as a testament to Rivera's unwavering commitment to medicine and her dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.
As Rivera takes the helm at ATS, her leadership is poised to bring about meaningful change in the field of respiratory medicine. Her journey from grief to counselor, from researcher to leader, is a testament to her resilience and dedication, making her an inspiring figure in the medical community.
[1] Source: Various professional conference and program materials related to respiratory and epidemiologic sciences.
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