Dr. Vallera attended the University of Chicago, and earned a bachelor’s degree in the Biological Sciences.

He earned his medical degree at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, where he also completed a residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology. Following residency, he completed a Fellowship in Cytopathology and Fine Needle Aspiration pathology at the University of Illinois Medical Center with Dr. Richard Mac DeMay.

Dr. Vallera has been in private practice at AMITA Health Adventist Hinsdale and La Grange hospitals, Adventist Glen Oaks and Adventist Bolingbrook hospitals. He was the Regional Medical Director of the Adventist Midwest Laboratories from 2006 to 2019.

He has also served in many leadership roles for the Medical Staff and was President of the Medical Staff (Chief of Staff) for AMITA Health Adventist Hinsdale and La Grange hospitals. Dr. Vallera was the medical director of the Quintiles Westmont Illinois laboratory from 2005 to 2012. He has also been a hospital and laboratory surveyor for the Joint Commission International.