their happiness as their condition improves is her reward for
volunteering. “Patients need physicians’ help because they
have no other means, and a doctor needs to go back to his/
her roots as to why they joined the profession to know that
they can help by volunteering as well.” Dr. Rivera, born and
raised in Chile, believes volunteering is an important part
of life. “I have done volunteer work all my life. I volunteered
at my church as a teen, in medical school I worked with
end stage cancer patients as a support person. Along with
Project Access, I also volunteer at the UCSD Student Run
Free Clinic.” In her spare time, Dr. Rivera enjoys hiking and
spending time outdoors with her husband and children. She
is an avid runner and has run in many marathons including
the New York City Marathon.
Daniel and his family
The good news is that
Daniel is now able to
reconnect with people
and has his life back.
“Whenever I go see
Dr. Rivera, she is very
generous and very kind,
she treats me as if I was
any other patient. Dr.
Rivera is a very good
person. I am very grateful
to her. I have no words
to describe what Project
Access has done for me.
Right now, I am working
part time, it’s not much
but little by little I am
climbing as they say.”
Climbing back into life,
one day at a time!
Dr. Rivera finishing
the NY City Marathon
www.championsforhealth.org
Join us at the 1st annual Champions Soirée – Awakening Wellness event at the Japanese
Friendship Garden in Balboa Park on June 30th to raise money for Project Access San Diego.
www.championssoiree.org
JUNE 2019 | GBSAN.COM 39