Son Follows in Late Father’s Footsteps to University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Matthew Ryan grew up hearing about his father’s love for patient care and his respect for the Miller School.
When Matthew Ryan, B.S. ‘21, M.D. ‘25, was growing up, he saw the fulfillment his father, Ron Ryan, M.D. ‘88, got from his work as an ophthalmologist.
“My dad always raved about the good patient encounters and the patients he had. He taught me it’s a pretty big honor in helping other people try to get better,” said Dr. Matthew Ryan, who formally earned his M.D. degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s commencement ceremony on May 10. “Seeing that from a young age was my first introduction into medicine. That’s how I got started on that path.”
The elder Dr. Ryan’s respect for the Miller School made it a natural choice for Dr. Matthew Ryan to follow in his father’s footsteps. But Ron Ryan never got to see his son graduate. During Dr. Matthew Ryan’s first year of medical school, Dr. Ron Ryan was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive prostate cancer. He died six months later on July 4, 2022.
“He had told me if I do end up at UM for med school, I’ll see all of the different pathologies that I would see in the real world, and I’d be very prepared and very competent after medical school,” Dr. Matthew Ryan said. “He spoke highly about the clinical training, and we always talked about how prepared he felt as an intern after going to UM.”
Nancee Ryan, Dr. Matthew Ryan’s mother, said the University of Miami has played a big part in her family’s life. She said she and Ron Ryan got married two days before he graduated from medical school in 1988.
“To watch Matthew graduate, almost exactly 37 years after his dad, was such a proud moment,” Nancee Ryan said. “While I like to think that I am Matthew’s biggest cheerleader, I must admit that his dad was just as proud of him as I am. Even though Ron wasn’t physically there, I am confident that he was watching from above yelling, ‘Way to go, Matthew!’ I will forever be grateful to the University of Miami for providing such amazing opportunities to both of these very special men in my life.”
Dr. Matthew Ryan will continue at UM as an internal medicine resident and may apply for a gastrointestinal fellowship in the future.
“I really like the field of internal medicine because you’re the primary point person when patients are admitted to the hospital,” he said. “You’re coordinating their care with all the different specialties and you’re trying to figure out what’s going on with the patient.”
Even though Ron wasn’t physically there, I am confident that he was watching from above yelling, ‘Way to go, Matthew!’
Nancee Ryan
Working with his hands and performing GI procedures also is of interest, Dr. Matthew Ryan said. He said his time at the Miller School has set him up for success.
“I think that UM has lived up to the expectations that my dad said about it. It’s definitely exposed me to a variety of different pathologies – your bread and butter cases at the VA, a lot of patients with cancer at UMH and then varying illnesses at Jackson Medical,” he said. “Being at the three hospitals and seeing all the different diseases and patient populations that we get exposed to has definitely prepared me for residency. I feel as competent as I can be.”
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Tags: alumni, medical education, medical students