- College of Medicine Communique Research Students
As a graduate researcher at UCF, Viviana Rivera helped create bionic arms for children needing prostheses, and she still remembers how patients lit up when they received their customized limbs.
“I watched my first patient evolve before my eyes from a shy girl to an outspoken, charismatic and funny individual,” she said. “That was always who she was, but the prosthesis gave her more confidence to speak up and make her voice heard. It is something that I will cherish forever.”
Rivera’s journey at UCF, marked by interdisciplinary research and partnerships, allowed her to expand her education beyond the classroom. And on Aug. 4, she began her third UCF degree, donning a doctor’s white coat as part of the College of Medicine’s White Coat Ceremony.
A “double Knight” is a term used amongst those at UCF to describe students or alumni who have earned two degrees. The level of “Knighthood” increases as the student earns more degrees, and in Rivera’s case, she is working her way toward becoming a triple Knight.
Rivera earned her bachelor’s degree followed by her Master of Biomedical Science while helping to design prosthetic arms through Limbitless Solutions, a UCF-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people through accessible technologies.
“We’re so proud of all of Viviana’s successes and it’s been a real privilege to be part of her journey,” said Limbitless Solutions’ Executive Director and Co-Founder Albert Manero, who honored Rivera’s milestone by sponsoring her white coat. “Today we’re proud to stand with her as she prepares to take her next steps and is on her way to becoming a really incredible doctor.”
As she becomes part of the 121 students in the Class of 2029, Rivera says her time with Limbitless “was life changing in every sense.” She authored numerous publications, analyzed data from clinical trials and used airbrushes to customize arms for children.
“I am a strong believer that students can take charge in every academic institution to extract the most out of it and UCF has made that easy,” Rivera said. “UCF gave me the tools early on in my academic career to set me up with multiple connections that have made me a stronger applicant and person alike.”
Manero said about 500 students have participated in Limbitless since the partnership began. Rivera is only the second to go on to medical school at UCF. Manero said students who work at the organization develop empathy through their intimate and sensitive patient interactions.
“Demonstrating that care and compassion in every single instance is something that we really prioritize for all our team and seeing her take ownership of that as a graduate student and as staff has really helped move the whole program forward,” he said. “We can see the huge impact it has had on our bionic families.”
As she begins medical school, Rivera says she’s looking forward to continuing to accumulate knowledge, grow her compassion for others and practice gratitude for all those who have helped her on her journey.
“In some ways, the white coat is not mine alone,” she says. “I never would have even believed that I could become a medical student without the massive support I’ve had from everyone. Every time I put on the white coat, I will be reminded that it stands for something bigger than just me.”
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