Biography

Sarimín Rivera, RDN, LDN, CDCES, is a diabetes nurse specialist with Baptist Medical Group – Endocrinology. She is devoted to caring for patients with diabetes and works to educate them so they can live a healthy and productive life.

Certifications
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
Certified Lactation Educator (CLE)
Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist (LDN)

Memberships
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
American Diabetes Association
Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialist 

Clinical Interests:
Diabetes and Endocrinology disorders throughout the life cycle
Woman’s Health
Weight Management
Food Science
Lifestyle Coaching for People Living with Chronic Health Conditions and Preventive Medicine
Pediatrics
Renal and Heart Health

What led you to become a doctor/provider or choose your focus of medicine?
I grew up with both parents in health care and social care. I knew I wanted to help people through health. Because I am passionate about food, I decided to become a Dietitian. This way, I can enjoy every single aspect of my day to day. I help people have positive relationships with foods while using them as medicine for their health concerns or for prevention.

What about your line of work do you find most rewarding and why?  
I like establishing relationships of trust with patients so I can assist in making a doctor’s recommendation a possible action in their life and incorporating medical recommendations into real-life practices with specific actions, discussing barriers, and seeing improvements. I love following up and seeing the process and the progress.

What is something about you that only your patients would know?  
I genuinely care for my patients. I want them to count on me as one of their supporters during their health journey. There is zero judgment with my approaches. I am all in, with a genuine interest in helping them.

How would a patient describe you?
I am trustworthy, a people person, flexible and knowledgeable, culturally competent, and funny.

What’s your proudest moment as a doctor/provider?
Every time I hear a patient coming back with improvements, even the small things make a big difference to their health. I was incredibly proud when performing quality projects for diabetes outcomes. A big group of patients showed improvements based on interventions performed during the project of “Diabetes Days”, we presented in a State meeting also when my coworkers nominated me for a State award because they saw my personal and professional skills as an example for them to follow.

In your opinion, what’s the most important factor in a doctor/provider-patient relationship?
Build trust, allow time to hear their story, and meet them where they are.

What can a patient expect when they have you as a doctor/provider?
Genuine interest in collaborating with them, up-to-date, experienced, and evidence-based interventions.

What do you find most encouraging about the work you do?
Small life changes can make a big difference in health. I am a very happy practitioner if I can help a person become healthier and improve their quality of life.  

What are your top priorities with every patient you see?
Safety, clear understanding of goals of care, partnership.

Describe one of the top ways you ensure each patient receives the quality, personal health care they deserve.
I respect their time, I appreciate their attendance, I hope they can maximize the content of care during the short time we meet.

Resources