Dr. Sonia Rivera-Martinez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYITCOM) in Old Westbury, New York. She is also the Associate Medical Director for the Family Health Care Center, the Director of the Community Free Clinic, and the Latino Medical Student Association Faculty Advisor at the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT). As Associate Professor, she teaches 1st and 2nd-year osteopathic medical students in the Doctor-Patient Relationship course, precepts 3rd-year osteopathic medical students while providing patient care at the NYITCOM Academic Health Care Centers, and precepts students in their 1st through 4th years at the NYIT Community Free Clinic. She is board certified in Family Practice and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians.
She set several goals for herself early in her osteopathic career, including expanding the public's knowledge of osteopathic medicine through research and advocacy, teaching medical students the art and science of osteopathic medicine, providing medical services in underserved areas, and educating patients about healthy lifestyles. In keeping with these goals, she has been very active serving the profession in various national, state, and local organizations. She serves on the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees and is the past President of the New York State Osteopathic Medical Society.
Dr. Rivera-Martinez earned her osteopathic medical degree from NYITCOM. She completed her internship and residency in family medicine at Long Beach (New York) Medical Center, where she served as chief resident. She also was named Intern of the Year in 2002-2003. At NYITCOM, she serves as the Associate Medical Director for the Academic Health Centers and Director of the NYIT Community Free Clinic, which are student-run clinics providing services to the uninsured and underinsured population.
An avid researcher, Dr. Rivera-Martinez received a research grant from the AOA to fund a randomized controlled trial for diabetes and OMM. Her research has been published in many journals, including The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association and Osteopathic Family Physician. She's received many awards honoring her dedication to medicine, including the National American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians Outstanding Female Leader Award, the NYSOMS Unsung Hero Award, and the American Osteopathic Foundation Wyeth Emerging Leader Award.
Dr. Rivera-Martinez discloses that she has no relevant financial relationships with any organization producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients relative to the content of her presentation.
