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Member Spotlight
Jacqueline Ponce - Rivera
Ms. Jacqueline Ponce-Rivera, MHA, joined the N-S HIV Health Services Planning Council in January 2019 and now serves as an organizational member representing the Ryan White Part D program. Ms. Ponce-Rivera has worked in the HIV/AIDS field for more than 17 years and is currently the Project Manager for the Division of Allergy and Immunology at the Center for Young Adult, Adolescent and Pediatric Program (CYAAPH) at Northwell. She has a background in public health and social services, victim services, and working with disenfranchised communities who are impacted by co-morbidities across New York City and New York State.
Ms. Ponce-Rivera’s career path in social services began with assisting women and children, including battered women and victims of domestic violence; many living in shelters in New York City. One of her first clients was a woman who was recently released from prison on medical parole because of her AIDS diagnosis and poor health. This was during the 90’s, a scary time when such a diagnosis was considered a death sentence. Jackie worked hard to help locate resources and get her connected to care. The woman was close in age to Jackie’s mom and she felt an immediate connection. Though the client passed away, the experience left a notable impact on Ms. Ponce-Rivera.
As a longtime advocate for communities of color and an active member of various steering committees and planning groups across the tristate area, Ms. Ponce-Rivera continued her work in social services, gradually transitioning to a more administrative role. She has experience working as a consultant to nonprofit organizations in program development, quality improvement, data driven techniques, focus group recruitment, organizational development, and strategic planning and case management.
While in New York City she became acquainted with its Planning Council and what it does. When she began working at North Shore University Hospital, Jackie learned that some of the staff attended the Long Island Planning Council meetings at United Way of Long Island in Deer Park. Jackie began to attend regularly, joining the Planning Council as part of her continued commitment to the work in the HIV/AIDS field and other chronic health conditions which impact the underserved and disenfranchised throughout New York State. An active member of the Strategic Assessment & Planning committee for a number of years, Ms. Ponce-Rivera continued her dedication by assuming the role of committee co-chair in 2022.
When asked to share fun facts about herself, Jackie replied that she has a good sense of humor. “Who doesn’t enjoy a good laugh?” She acts as a cheerleader for teams and is an avid Yankees fan. She also loves to dance. Not surprising then that her favorite movie is Saturday Night Fever with John Travolta. In her spare time Jackie enjoys reading self-help books and those written by educator and businessman, Stephen Covey. Jackie is also an animal lover. She is dog mom to 12 year old Max, a beloved Cumberland Spaniel and cat mom to Elliot, a much-loved 15 year old Tabby, found abandoned, only a few days old, when her husband was mowing the backyard. Describing herself as a child of the 80s’s, Jackie explains her love of roller skating. When she was growing up, roller rinks were popular and commonplace. She fondly recalls memories of oing skating with her friends, listening to the music, and enjoying the food. Jackie still enjoys going to the roller rinks with her own special retro roller skates, a gift from her three daughters.
When asked why she feels that the fight against AIDS is still important today, Jacqueline Ponce-Rivera shared that it is important because the work profoundly impacts the community at every level whether it’s personal or professional. With the increased need in prevention education and the health equity and stigma issues that still surround this disease, she feels that there is more that can be done on both a community and local level.