Sylvia Rivera, MD

I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and later moved to Florida. After completing my undergraduate training at the University of Florida, I then pursued my dream of living in the Big Apple. Subsequently, I earned my medical degree at New York University School of Medicine, and proceeded to complete my Internal Medicine Residency at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Following this, I undertook a fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Having gained invaluable experience, I returned to Santa Barbara where I have been dedicated to serve the local community of Santa Barbara and surrounding areas since 2016. I envisioned a career as a physician for a long time, however it took me slightly longer to determine where my niche within medicine would reinforce my passion for the field. I was drawn to endocrinology in particular because both my mother and father had common endocrine conditions. My father has had diabetes since his 40s, while my mother was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism due to autoimmune thyroiditis. Observing how they navigated through these diagnoses inspired me to support and guide patients through similar challenging episodes in their life.

I strive to be an advocate for my patients, providing not only medical expertise, but also the emotional support necessary for navigating the challenges that accompany chronic endocrine disorders. Ultimately, my aim is to empower and improve the quality of life for those under my care, fostering a sense of trust and confidence in their ongoing health journey.