Kristen Ryczak, MD, from Scranton, Pennsylvania, received a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Ithaca College, and studied medicine at Thomas Jefferson Medical School in Philadelphia. She attended residency at Crozer-Keystone Family Medicine Residency program in Delaware County. Prior to studying medicine, she spent two years as an AmeriCorps Volunteer with the Washington County Health Department in Oregon, working as a sexual health educator and sexual assault survivor advocate.
She is currently an Assistant Professor of Family, Community, and Preventive Medicine at Tower/Drexel Family Medicine Residency Program and the Director of the Women’s Health Education Program at Drexel University College of Medicine.
Her medical interests include patient education and joint decision making, depression and anxiety management, meditation, preventive care, sexual health care, and weight inclusive, health at every size medicine.
Get to Know Dr. Ryczak
What do you like best about Drexel University College of Medicine?
I’m very fortunate to work with incredible colleagues. They help me feel supported in these challenging times, and we’re always able find a way to laugh. I also love the medical students I work with; their passion to make systemic changes and care for the community keeps me inspired.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
I’ve gotten a lot of great advice. I find myself returning to again and again to: “you can’t pour from an empty cup”. I was called to medicine and teaching to help people and make a difference in my community. Setting and respecting my personal boundaries and spending time caring for myself felt selfish for a long time- and sometimes still does. But I have learned that nourishing myself and doing the things that “fill my cup” preserve my ability to continue to be there for the people who need me. Saying “no” now allows me to be able to say “yes” later. This has been a hard, but crucial lesson, and one that I hope to pass on to others.
Who is a leader you admire?
Stacey Abrams.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Pre- COVID-19, I loved exercising, swing dancing to live music across Philly, and travel adventures abroad. My quarantine activities include knitting, amassing many house plants, weekend projects around the house, and “zooming” with family and friends until it’s safe to be together again.