“A wonderful colleague, physician, and human being; he lives out the mission of excellence in service and inspires others to do so, each and every day.”
Mark H. Ryan, M.D, is Associate Professor, Family Medicine and Population Health and affiliate faculty for the VCU Center for Media+Health. He serves as Family Physician, and, since 2015, as Medical Director for the VCU Health Hayes E. Willis Health Center (HEWHC) of South Richmond. Dr. Ryan has also led the longitudinal medical student Patient, Physician, and Society curriculum as Course Director since 2014.
By the time Dr. Ryan graduated from VCU SOM in 2000, he had been elected to the AOA Medical and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Societies, and received the Family Practice Excellence Award, the Foundations of Clinical Medicine Co-Teaching Award, and the Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Inner City/Rural Youth program. He completed his residency at the renowned Blackstone Family Practice Residency Program, serving as Chief Resident from 2002-03.
The Department of Family Medicine and Population Health Medical Education Team describes Dr. Ryan: “Dr. Ryan cares for a complex, diverse population with the highest level of skill and professionalism, and he has demonstrated expertise in both the administrative and clinical aspects of primary care...Under his leadership, the sense of community at HEWHC is evident, and it is clear to patients that all are welcome, that they will be given the best quality care and that their voices will be heard, regardless of the population to which they belong.”
“As a person who worked directly with Dr. Hayes Willis and a member of the team that established this facility, I am acutely aware of the importance of this Center. Dr. Ryan has worked diligently to preserve Dr. Willis's legacy and has continued to ensure the provision of quality services to all patients regardless of ability to pay or immigration status. As a result, HEWHC continues to operate as a strong testament to VCU Health's commitment to its safety net mission,” attests Sheryl L. Garland, MHA, FACHE, Chief of Health Impact, VCU Health.
Rosalie Corona, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Psychology, Director of Clinical Training, and Founding Director, VCU Latinx Mental Health Clinic, elaborates. “Latinxs are the fastest growing ethnic minority group in Virginia…yet they are an underserved group who face unique barriers to community services, especially mental health care; they are disproportionately affected by numerous negative health outcomes. Dr. Ryan’s engagement with the Latinx community has been nothing less than exceptional and has significantly improved the health and well-being of the community.”
Dr. Ryan’s accomplishments have been recognized through multiple Best Teacher awards, the 2013 Greater Richmond ARC 6th Annual Ladybug Award for Meritorious Service to Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families, the 2013 Virginia Academy of Family Physicians President’s Award, the 2010 Arnold Gold Foundation Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine award, the 2009 Medical Society of Virginia Foundation Salute to Service Award. He has given nearly 80 presentations everywhere from local sites to international conferences, and has 26 peer reviewed publications. His outstanding record of service includes multiple dissertation committees, formal student mentoring, and dozens of VCU, professional organization, and statewide committees. Dr. Ryan’s dedication to the HOMBRE program, serving communities in developing countries, has allowed undergraduate and medical students, residents, pharmacists and therapists to engage in ethically-grounded clinical care and research in remote communities in Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Nicaragua.
One of Dr. Ryan’s patients summarizes his patient-centered approach well. “I sincerely believe that this attitude of top-notch care and concern for all aspects of a patient’s well-being – physical, mental, and social – comes from Dr. Ryan’s strong leadership and embodiment of those values; he leads by example, and it shows.”