Joaquin Rivera, School Counselor, Robbed by Three Homeless Drug Addicts While Dying In Emergency Room

Joaquin Rivera, 63, a school counselor suffering an apparent heart attack died at Philadelphia's Atria Health's Frankford Campus after waiting nearly 80 minutes for help and he was robbed by Richard Alten and two other homeless drug addicts who stole his watch. Rivera died before seeing a triage nurse at the medical center. His tragic end was captured on security video tape, much like Esmin Green, who died on the floor of Kings County Hospital in June, 2008, while hospital staff ignored her. Rivera, a musician and activist in the city's Latino community, had spent more than 30 years working as a bilingual counselor at an inner-city high school.

Rivera had walked to the Northeast Philadelphia hospital late Saturday from his home a few blocks away after pain started shooting down his right side. He registered at 10:45 p.m. and took a seat, chatting for about 20 minutes with two men and a woman nearby. Based on witness accounts, police believe Rivera passed out about an hour later. Security video then shows one of the men steal his watch and briefly pass it to the other.

The second suspect is then seen by doctors, and a security guard arrives to ask his sleeping companions to leave. A witness first reports that Rivera may be dead. At 12:04 a.m., he is pronounced dead. Aria Health offered condolences to the family Tuesday but otherwise declined comment, citing patient confidentiality and the pending criminal case.

A preliminary ruling suggests Rivera died of hypertension. He is survived by his wife and three children. Rivera also leaves behind a rich musical legacy that includes local radio and TV appearances in which he shared the music he learned as a boy in the mountains of Cayey, Puerto Rico. He also inspired countless Olney High School students to attend college. Source:  Philly.com

This is a disgrace and to think many in the Republican Party feel that the healthcare system in this country is second to none is unconscionable. There is no reason why this man should have waited so long to see a triage nurse that he expired and was robbed by three dirtbags. I have to wonder what constitutes top priority in this emergency room. I always thought chest pains, gun shot wounds and babies were basically seen quickly.



Photo credit: Joaquin Rivera, Gerald S. Williams, Philly.com staff photographer