713-442-0427
Angel Rivera-Castro, MD
6624 Fannin St.,
Houston,
TX
77030
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About the Provider
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Education & Board Certification
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Professional Associations
Angel Ricardo Rivera Castro, MD, earned his medical degree at the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil in Ecuador in 2013. He then relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, where he completed his Internal Medicine residency at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital in 2020. Dr. Rivera Castro also holds a Master of Public Studies in political management from George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He joined Kelsey-Seybold as a board-certified hospitalist in October 2025.
Inspired to become a physician by his interest in how the human body works, Dr. Rivera Castro sees patients who have been admitted to the hospital, whether through the emergency room or as a planned admission for a specific medical reason. Being naturally drawn to diagnostic puzzles, his primary responsibility is to oversee his patients’ care during their hospital stays, guiding them through a wide spectrum of acute and complex health concerns — such as severe infections like pneumonia or cellulitis, diabetic emergencies, respiratory distress, digestive disorders, kidney injuries, or heart conditions such as heart failure exacerbations, unstable angina, or uncontrolled arrhythmias. Dr. Rivera Castro’s favorite part of practicing medicine is truly being there for others, easing fears and providing compassionate care during his patients’ most vulnerable times.
Philosophy of Care
When engaging with his patients and their loved ones, Dr. Rivera Castro is genuinely present, listening intently to let them know he hears their concerns, fears, and hopes. He aims for clear, honest, empathetic communication, explaining their conditions and treatment plans in simple terms, answering all their questions, and never shying away from difficult truths while still offering hope. He also ensures he follows through on his promises, whether it's checking on a test result, coordinating with a specialist, or just coming back when he says he will. It's about being reliable, transparent, and truly caring for his patients as individuals during a vulnerable time.
Hobbies & Interests
Dr. Rivera Castro’s free time is filled with the pursuit of a variety of hobbies, including volleyball, chess, archery, and scuba diving. He also thrives on the excitement of watching Formula 1 racing matches and UFC events. When he is not traveling internationally, he loves actively exploring the rural areas of the U.S., visiting national parks, and embarking on hiking adventures.
Awards & Publications
Awards
- Peer reviewer for the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Journal, since 2019
- Founder of MedPre Medical Journal, 2011
- Founder of Polivoz, social media app, 2025
Publications
- Assaker R, El Hasbani G, Rivera Castro A, Gold M. Cervical cord transection secondary to C2-C3 dissociation. International Journal of Case Reports and Images. 2019, Feb; 10(N/A): 1-3.
- El Hasbani G., Olvera Lopez E., Rivera Castro A.R, Abouzeid B., Assaker R., Vargas Gamarra J., et al. Cardiac arrest identified by a chest CT scan in a patient with normal telemetry findings.
- Radiology case reports. 2019, Jun; 14(6): 652-655. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 30956742.
- Espejo M., Magabo S., Rivera-Castro A., Faiz M., Ramirez L., Robles C., Shabarek T., Shariff M., Kanna B. Qualitative Study of Knowledge, Perception, and Behavior Related to Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Among Hypertensive African-Americans in Urban Inner City of South Bronx, New York. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2019, Feb; 6(1): 197-206. Cited in PubMed; PMID: 30117092.
- Ukudeyeva, A., Ramirez, L., Rivera-Castro, A., Faiz, M., Espejo, M., & Kanna, B. Qualitative study of obesity risk perception, knowledge, and behavior among Hispanic taxi drivers in New York. Journal of Clinical and Translational Science. 2018, Jun; 2(S1): 72-73.
- Rivera-Castro, A.R., Morán-Vargas, C.A., Cañizares-Fuentes, R. Drug expenditure and its relationship with diseases in the Ministry of Public Health's Hospitals of Guayaquil (2009 - 2012). A proposal of a model of resource optimization. MedPre. 2013, Sep; 3(1):30-39.
- Ruiz-Cabezas, J.C., Rivera-Castro, A.R. Reovirus as adjuvant in Ras-activated and Treatment-Refractory neoplastic cells. MedPre. 2011, Feb; 1(1): 28-39.
Medical School
- Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil – Guayaquil, Ecuador, 2013
Internship/Residency
- SSM Health St Mary's Hospital – St. Louis, MO, 2020
Board Certifications
- American Board of Internal Medicine - Internal Medicine
Dr. Rivera Castro is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of Pi Sigma Alpha.
