U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D., grew up in the community of Coachella, California, where both of his parents were farmworkers.
Dr. Ruiz achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a physician through public education. After graduating from Coachella Valley High School, Dr. Ruiz graduated magna cum laude from UCLA. He went on to Harvard University, where he earned his Medical Degree, as well as a Masters of Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government and a Masters of Public Health from the School of Public Health, becoming the first Latino to earn three graduate degrees from Harvard University. He completed his Residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and a Fellowship in International Emergency Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. During his training, Dr. Ruiz served as a consultant to the Ministries of Health of both Serbia and El Salvador.
Veterans University is for veterans, servicemembers, their families, and anyone in our community interested in learning about how to improve the lives of veterans in a welcoming classroom environment. 


Veterans University is a one-day event covering a myriad of topics including: health care and disability benefits, exposure to burn pits, mental health, female veteran-specific topics, home ownership, and employment resources for veterans. Presenters include representatives from Veteran Service Organizations, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Small Business Administration.
Presenters will provide a broad overview of each benefit, followed by practical and detailed information on how to access the benefits described. Participants will also receive contact information they can utilize, should they have difficulty accessing benefits on their own. There will also be a veterans' resource expo with many local organizations and agencies that serve veterans.