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Former polymer researcher, marketing manager and teacher Ann Rivera expects medicine to be her final career
Ann Rivera balanced many roles during medical school, among them student, wife, mother, coach, teacher and volunteer.
Not your typical medical student, Ann Rivera is what some would call a “bent arrow,” meaning she followed a bent path and had a previous career before matriculating in medical school. Among other positions, the Cleveland native previously work for NASA’s ceramics branch, performing research in polymer-based precursors to ceramics before deciding on a future as a physician. “I had thought about medical school for 15 years before the pieces all came together and the time was right,” she said. Rivera earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea in 1987. Her love of learning summoned her back to B-W, and she received her master of business administration degree there in 1993. Leaving NASA, Rivera headed to Day-Glo Color Corp., working as marketing manager. After the birth of her first child, she became a stay-at-home mom before returning to the workforce, this time as chemistry and physics teacher at Cleveland Central Catholic High School. Professional pursuits left her restless, however. “I always felt that medicine was the great frontier,” she said. “The human body is so detailed, so intricate, so amazing. I think my pursuit of medicine was cerebrally motivated. If you have any curiosity at all, it will draw you in.” When Rivera finally decided to pursue a medical degree, she was drawn to Case Western Reserve University for its “wonderful reputation for embracing diversity and valuing students who have life experiences outside of education.” This lifelong Clevelander matched to a diagnostic radiology residency at MetroHealth Medical Center in her hometown. “I have a huge family [11 brothers and sisters], and we all live in the area,” she said. Her family also is quite medically oriented, professionally speaking. Both of Rivera’s brothers, William Waters, D.D.S., and Michael Waters, D.D.S., are dentists; the latter is a 1989 alumnus of Case’s School of Dental Medicine. Her sister-in-law, Judy Waters, M.D., is a family practitioner with University Hospitals of Cleveland and also a 1991 School of Medicine graduate. Further, Tina Waters, M.D., another sister-in-law, is a neurology resident at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. While a medical student, Rivera also played the role of mother of two and wife. Juggling medical school and family took a lot of organization. “I think I had it almost down to a science,” she said. “I would wake at 4 a.m. and study for 2 hours. Then I would get myself and the kids ready for school. I had all the lectures on tape, so I could listen to them in the car while driving. I really tried to save all my late afternoon and evening hours for my family. I didn’t want to have to sacrifice that time with them.” Rivera’s strong commitment to her family is evident in her activities outside the school walls. She has coached Microsoccer, a spring soccer program designed for Catholic grade school children in Cleveland’s West Park area, and she has taught Vacation Bible School and religion at St. Angela’s Merciful Parish. She also is as a parent volunteer for a Junior Girl Scout troop. Rivera credits her husband with helping her get through it all. “Third year was very tough,” she said, “but my husband really took on most of the responsibility. I would not have been able to function without all his help and understanding. He was very supportive.” – Lauren Pomykala |
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