General Info

Jose Rivera is a family nurse practitioner specializing in pediatric gastrointestinal health. Gut health is of particular interest to him because issues with the gastrointestinal system can affect a person’s overall health and well-being. Building a trusting environment with patients is of utmost importance to Rivera. “This makes the patient more at ease and more willing to engage in their care,” he said. “This builds good communication between a provider and patient.” Rivera has always loved science and wanted a career in medicine, but he did not know he wanted to be a nurse until his father was in the hospital. “During his hospital stay, the nurses taking care of him were so kind and caring toward him and my mother,” he said. “When he passed, all the nurses that cared for him joined us at his bedside. Their actions really moved me.” This experience put Rivera on a path to becoming a nurse. Born in Douglas, Rivera earned his Associate Degree in Nursing from Pima Community College. He then obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Northern Arizona University and a Master of Science in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner from Grand Canyon University. Prior to earning his nursing degrees, Rivera attended the University of Arizona, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology.