Message from the Directors

Meet the PRIDE Program Directors.

As a nerdy kid, my early experiences showed me that individuals can have difficulty relating to people who are different than them. My family heritage, LGBTQ+ identity and socioeconomic status growing up could have easily intersected in ways to create serious barriers in my life and career.  

Thankfully, I had parents who were proud of their working-class roots and used them as a way to teach me about hard work, communication and the value of interpersonal relationships. They were more than accepting of my differences and worked to instill a sense of self-worth in me that would allow me the audacity to enter spaces as my whole self.  

It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I experienced systemic bias when I was denied an opportunity to donate blood at a high school drive because I was gay. Emotionally distraught at the idea that my lifeblood was not seen as worthy enough for others, I found solace in the kindness of a teacher who reminded me of my self-worth, inspiring me to be the kind of mentor who uplifts others and fights injustice.  

In my life and career, I have had many incredible mentors who challenged me and helped me through some of the most challenging times. The PRIDE Program represents an attempt to honor that legacy of mentorship by finding bright, motivated and community focused students and work alongside them through their careers.  

With a focus on the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, we endeavor to instill those same skills in leadership, communication, interpersonal relations, organization, community practice and teaching that will allow you to confidently achieve your career goals and change the face of healthcare delivery.  

If this sounds like a journey you want to take, please reach out for more information, apply and spread the word about our program. Thank you for considering being a part of our family. 

Ronnie Rivera, MD, MSEd  

Pride Program Director 

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, my formative years were spent in an era where being gay was still not only stigmatized, but often belittled, and even feared due to the confusion and panic surrounding the early years of the AIDS pandemic.  

Rather than having this define me and my life in a negative way, I strive to prove the value and worth in differences.  I now actively work to improve healthcare in a safe and supportive environment, respectful of the specific healthcare needs of sexual minority patients to provide holistic care.  

I also believe in the importance of the mission to educate future LGBTQ+ healthcare physicians to increase the visibility of our unique and valuable attributes, not only for our patients’ well-being, but also for our own.  

That’s why I’m proud and grateful to be part of the UC Irvine medical education team supporting work on this first of its kind program to accomplish these goals. 

Cristobal Barrios, MD  

Pride Program Director