Maribel Campos RIvera

Dr. Maribel Campos Rivera is a Physician scientist, Board-Certified in Pediatrics, Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine, Obesity Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine, with degrees in Health Care Administration and Clinical Research. A Robert Wood Johnson Interdisciplinary Research Leaders Alumni with over 20 years of experience implementing diverse research designs raging from patient outcomes research, lifestyle clinical trials, pharmaceutical clinical trials, to policy engagement. Her training and continued engagement within the RWJ Culture of Health efforts have fueled her action oriented and participatory framework to become part of the work culture in all of her endeavors.

As a professor at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, she has mentored trainees at different stages of training and diverse backgrounds, allowing them to meet their community, acknowledge the value of expertise attained through lived experience, and be better equipped to address the social determinants of health. Her research work focuses on the effects of fetal and early childhood exposures on health across the lifespan. Her trajectory includes community action projects fostering a culture of health through system alignment, science education, and interdisciplinary care. Her team collaborates with community-based and professional organizations to develop and implement evidence-based, place-based, and community-informed solutions. Her role within the Voices for Healthy Kids community, supported by the American Heart Association, is just one example of their contributions towards health equity. She is the founder and Director of the Center for Community Outreach for Health Across the Lifespan, a division within the Office of the Dean of Research of the Schol of Dental Medicine at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus; and a past member of the Board of Directors of the Puerto Rico College of Physicians and Surgeons as President of the Research and Technological Development Institute. She has occupied many leadership positions within the organization up to her appointment as a Special Employee of the Department of Human and Health Services as a member of the President’s Council on sports, fitness, and nutrition by President Biden. She is a member of the Nutrition Sub Committee of the Council representing the territories in all her efforts. Her commitment to improving the adoption rate of healthy lifestyles fueled her transition from NICU Medical Director to Founder of Emerge, a public benefit corporation dedicated to family-centered integrated healthcare.