Rita M. Ryan, MD, FAAP

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Combining 30+ Years of Clinical Excellence with Academic Leadership at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

Dr. Rita M. Ryan is a dual board certified neonatologist in the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. Additionally, she holds the position of Professor of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. 

With over 30 years of clinical neonatology experience, Dr. Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the hospital and the surrounding community. Her extensive career has been marked by a dedication to understanding and treating complex neonatal conditions, with a special focus on neonatal lung biology and infant respiratory distress syndrome, commonly referred to as surfactant deficiency disorder.

Growing up in New York City, Dr. Ryan embarked on her academic journey at Johns Hopkins University, where she earned her Undergraduate Degree. She then obtained her Medical Degree from the State University of New York Upstate Medical University. Following her education, she completed a residency in pediatrics at SUNY-Upstate and further honed her expertise during a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Prior to her role at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, Dr. Ryan had a distinguished career in academia and clinical practice. She served on the faculty at the University of Rochester for 11 years and held the position of Chief of Neonatology at the University at Buffalo for another 11 years. Dr. Ryan also made significant contributions as the Director of the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program at both institutions. In 2011, she was recruited as Chair of Pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, where she spent a total of eight years before joining UH Rainbow in 2019.

Board certified in pediatrics and neonatal-perinatal medicine, Dr. Ryan’s professional affiliations include being a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a founding Fellow of the American Thoracic Society. She is an active member of the Society for Pediatric Research and the Perinatal Research Society and serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Perinatology and Pediatric Pulmonology.

With approximately 200 peer-reviewed articles and textbook chapters, and numerous presentations at national conferences, Dr. Ryan is recognized as a leading voice in neonatal cardiopulmonary research. Her contributions extend to national initiatives, having served on National Institutes of Health study sections and participated in NIH Workshops.

As UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital continues to provide exceptional care to its patients, Dr. Ryan’s expertise and leadership will undoubtedly enhance the quality of neonatal care in the region. 

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