MEET OUR GRADUATES: Former Marine Still Working to Save Lives

​Angel Madera is a former U.S. Marine, who was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and was personally commende​d by U.S. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse and John McCain. He also distinguished himself academically at Rhode Island College.

Madera​ graduates magna cum laude, with a B.S. degree in community health and wellness and multiple academic awards. With an innate desire to protect and serve, he is now battling the leading cause of death in the United States – heart disease. His career goal is to become a cardiac rehab specialist. 

As an intern at The Miriam Hospital’s Center for Cardiac and Pulmonary Fitness, Madera completed more than 500 hours. There, he assisted cardiac nurses during patients’ pre- and post-exercise stress tests and educated patients on exercise and fitness training. He developed a health needs assessment for the unit and began research on how to reduce the number of cardiac events among individuals in medically underserved communities. Madera presented his research at RIC’s annual poster session sponsored by the Center for Research and Creative Activity.

As he moves into the field of cardiac rehab, Madera will focus on developing and implementing health interventions and programs in communities for people at risk of heart disease. This would involve assessing the health needs of the community, analyzing existing programs, developing new programs and making improvements where needed.

In fact, Madera has already begun this work within his own community – the Manton and Olneyville areas of Providence. This is a community that Madera described as “medically underserved.” It is 61 percent Hispanic and has a 41 percent poverty rate compared to 24 percent in Providence overall. 

“This is also a community that is predisposed to high blood pressure and diabetes – all risk factors for heart disease – yet a community where many people can’t afford cardiac rehabilitative services and where Providence Community Health Centers do not offer educational programs on the prevention of cardiovascular disease,” he said.

Madera believes that prevention is both better and cheaper than a ​cure. He is now putting together a prevention model that consists of a series of lectures he would offer to the community in partnership with the Providence Community Health Centers.

He has taught workshops on adult health- and fitness-related topics and designed and implemented lesson plans for elementary school students at Henry Barnard School and Calcutt Middle School. This year he also coached adults through a half-marathon running program. 

Due to his drive and leadership, RIC’s Department of Health and Physical Education unanimously selected Madera ​for this year’s Senior Award. This prestigious award is given to a student for their outstanding academic achievement, professional accomplishments and community service. 

“Angel was selected from more than 100 students in his major, which demonstrates the respect our faculty has for his knowledge and dedication to the field,” said Associate Professor of Physical Education Kerri Tunnicliffe.

Faculty member Jodi Frank added, “I have been in the fitness and wellness industry for more than 20 years and it is a rare opportunity to work with a student like Angel. He is self-driven, an excellent communicator and a role model for his peers. He will go far in the field and I am honored to welcome him into the profession.”