Latino Heritage: Essex County Honors Surgeon, 'Official Record-Keeper'

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Officials recently paid tribute to an accomplished gynecologic oncologist and the “official keeper of the records” for Essex County during its annual Latino Heritage Celebration for 2023.

On Tuesday, Estrella del Condado de Essex Awards (Stars of Essex County) were presented to Juan Rivera, Essex County register of deeds and mortgages, and Evelyn Cantillo, a gynecologic oncologist based in New York, to honor their “commitment to improving the lives of all residents.”

Rivera and Cantillo were also commended for their “leadership and dedication to public service” during the event, which is held to pay homage to the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to the Spanish-speaking nations of Europe, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

“We are honored to recognize Juan Rivera and Dr. Evelyn Cantillo for their commitment to improving the lives of all residents, their leadership, and their dedication to public service,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said.

“Our cultural celebrations give us an opportunity to honor and recognize the diversity of Essex County and learn about the heritage of our constituents,” he stated.

Pastor Madelyn Perez from Newark Community Church of God delivered the program’s invocation. Elaija Rodriguez from Essex County West Caldwell School of Technology sang the National Anthem. Musical entertainment was provided by the La Caribena Band.

“I feel really humbled and honored as I stand in this building that is dedicated to Martin Luther King and justice for everyone,” Cantillo said.

“Athletics taught me about sportsmanship and teamwork, which I translated to help me succeed in other parts of my life,” Cantillo added.

Rivera said that as a Latino, his “pride runs deep.”

“We have a rich history and a vibrant culture,” he said.

The Latino Heritage Month Celebration is the part of a year-long cultural series held to highlight Essex County’s diversity. Other cultural heritage celebrations include African American History Month, Irish Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Italian Heritage Month, Jewish Heritage and Portuguese Heritage.

Here’s why Cantillo and Rivera earned awards for 2023, according to county officials:

Evelyn Cantillo

Dr. Evelyn Cantillo completed her undergraduate studies at Cornell University prior to pursuing a master’s degree in public health at Columbia University. She subsequently earned a medical degree at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine graduating with special distinction in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Her residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology was completed at Tulane University followed by a fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology and Breast Disease at the Women & Infants Hospital/Brown University.

Dr. Cantillo’s practice encompasses the surgical and medical management of the broad spectrum of gynecologic malignancies including uterine, ovary, cervix, vulva, and vagina. She is extensively trained in minimally invasive surgical techniques using traditional laparoscopy as well as robotic platforms for gynecologic cancer and complex benign conditions. She believes that every woman with gynecologic cancer should have access to the full complement of care. With this in mind, her aim is to expand access to clinical trials should this become necessary and serves as investigator in several regional and national trials. Dr. Cantillo is also interested in the intersection of race/culture is health outcomes.

Juan Rivera

The Honorable Juan M. Rivera, Jr., is the official “keeper of the records” and is responsible for overseeing the receipt, storage, retrieval and safeguarding of public records – including military discharge forms and all records relating to real estate in Essex County. Today, some of the millions of documents safeguarded by the Essex County Register of Deeds and Mortgages date back to the County’s founding in 1683.

Mr. Rivera was elected on November 5th, 2019, as the Essex County Register of Deeds and Mortgages and sworn into office in January 2020. He is the first Hispanic elected to the Office of the Register of Deeds & Mortgages and only the second Hispanic Constitutional Officer ever elected in Essex County.

He has dedicated most of his adult life to public service. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he was Meritoriously Promoted, a method where commanders can promote a very few, outstanding Marines via the Meritorious Promotion System due to exceptional leadership, work ethic and performance.

Over the years, Mr. Rivera has served the residents of Newark and Essex County in numerous ways. In April 2009, he was elected to the Newark Public Schools Advisory Board and chaired both the Facilities and Personnel Committees during his three-year term. He also served as a legislative aide to then Central Ward Councilman Charles Bell. Mr. Rivera also had the opportunity to serve as Director of Constituent Affairs for Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz of the 29th Legislative District. On March 9, 2015, he was appointed to the Essex County Board of Elections and served until March 2019. Mr. Rivera has been a long-term member of the Essex County Democratic Committee and he is Vice Chairman to the Essex County Veterans Advisory Board.

For over a decade Mr. Rivera worked for the North Ward Center, which is one of the largest non-profit organizations in the state of New Jersey and located in Newark’s North Ward. Serving thousands of families throughout the greater Newark area, Mr. Rivera has seen the significant positive impact these services have had in the community.

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