Jack Ryan: Father, Healthcare Innovator & Medical Design Visionary….from Georgia to China
In a few days is Father’s Day and I thought I would take some time to honor my Dad, John L. “Jack” Ryan. He is a recognized pioneer in many aspects of the modern healthcare industry. His accomplishments included numerous hospitals designs, healthcare innovations and cutting edge medical technology decades ahead of their times. He lead the healthcare planning team for the two largest public projects in the Republic of China (ROC) in the 1980s including The National Taiwan University Hospital in Taipei and National Cheng Kung University in Tainan (which was founded in January 1931 the same month and year of his birth).
Some Background. He was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia the second son of four children his mother a cafeteria worker and father newspaper worker. He used his smarts to gain academic scholarships to college and he graduated top of his class at both Regis University in Denver and St. Louis University in healthcare management. Dad would often remark “I started at the top in my field! I began by sweeping and mopping the top floors at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver while attending college.” By then he had married my Mom (Anne Herkins) and become a father of sisters Annette and Amy in 1952 and 1953.
After he graduated from St. Lousi University, he accepted an Associate Administrator’s position in Corpus Christi, Texas at Spohn Hospital. He became a father again when sister Alicia was born in 1955. He served with a director of nursing Margaret McGrale who was Canadian and introduce him to a fellow Canadian Gordon Friesen.
They joined forces together at Gordon A. Friesen International as a pioneering healthcare consulting firm. My Dad took an assignment in San Jose, Costa Rica to manage a system of hospitals and moved the growing family, where brother John L. Ryan, III was born in 1957.
Two and half years later, he was in Washington, DC where I was born in 1960, brother Steve in 1961, sister Karen (d) in 1963 and brother Paul in 1964 at Georgetown Unversity Hospital.
In 1969, he and my Mom, Anne, started their own firm, Ryan Advisors and were based in the “extra” bed room in our house for about 6 months before moving the The Chevy Chase Building for 14 years. They eventually acquired a building in Gaithersburg, Maryland The Ryan Center in the ealy 1980s and had offices in Rome, Italy and Singapore. Over the decades, Dad along with my Mom Anne, raised seven children, built an international healthcare consulting practice and influence thousands by their innovative hospital designs, trend setting solutions, cutting edge technology systems and a monthly newsletter, The Ryan Advisory for Healthcare Governing Board that was subscribed and read in all 5o US states and world wide by healthcare leaders.
Dad retired first in Germany and now in seaside resort town of Alanya, Turkey and his wife Melissa his companion for 25 years.
On this Father’s Day, I honor my Dad by sharing his story with you and provide some brief insight into his remarkable career, family and life. I have received some additonal thoughts from his colleagues and friends.
“I met Jack in 1978 at St. Thomas Hospital while he was consulting on the planning of a major facility expansion. I was a young administrative resident and your dad went out of his way to make me feel a part of the planning team. We stayed in touch during my 8 years at St. Thomas and of course through the Ryan Advisory Newsletter. I consider Jack to be one of the early mentors in my career that I am sincerely thankful for. He made a difference in the lives of so many healthcare leaders and organizations. Thanks Jack!” Doug French, former CEO, Ascension Health, St. Louis, MO
“Jack was one of the very valuable associates I had during my tenure at The George Washington University (GWU), particularly when I served as chair of the department. He was an inspiration to all the students and faculty and became a role model for those who chose to follow a career in consulting. His support (e.g., through the (Jack & Anne )Ryan Award and student tours of his headquarters) gave the GW program a unique asset.” Philip N. Reeves, DC, LFACHE, Former Chair, The George Washington University, Department of Health Services Management
“Michael: It is a pleasure to reply. What a great idea to connect with Father’s Day. Yes, I have memories of your Dad, My most important link was with the Ryan Advisory Newsletter and Jack’s consulting going back to Friesen (I believe that we used Friesen in Kalamazoo in the 1960s - I am not sure given senior moments. Maybe it was with a VA Hospital that I consulted with). In addition my years at ACHE gave me opportunity to meet and work with many people like Jack. That was part of the joy of the job.”Stuart Wesbury, Former CEO, American College of Healthcare Executives 1979-1991
“I first met your Dad in 1967 at a conference he and Gordon (Friesen) put on in Washingon. Our then chief of Paediatrics, John Rathbun and I attended, We were the only Canadians there, I think, and there was real pressure being put on to have Gordon Friesen International appointed to provide up to the minute design advice for a new children’s’ hospital we were planning to build. Politics intervened, and there is still no separate children’s hospital in London! Later, I joined the Trendleaders Club (Networking organization founded by Jack Ryan) in 1980, enjoying the quarterly meetings for some time. Again, I was the only Canadian. During that time your Dad provided valuable strategic planning advice which formed the basis for the redevelopment of the St Thomas Elgin General Hospital where I was president and CEO. Jon R. Skafel, LFACHE, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
“(I) worked with Jack in the early 70’s at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center in Chicago. It was one of Friesen’s premier Hospitals. I remember as an administrative resident touring visitors from all over the world, several times with Jack expounding on trayveyors, SPD, and nurse servers. We were already planning for bedside computers. When I came to St. Johns Regional Medical Center in California and got the opportunity to build a new replacement hospital, Jack was the first person on my list for consultation. He was one of the brightest people I have encountered in healthcare, way ahead of his time. Daniel R. Herlinger, LFACHE, Former CEO, Catholic Healthcare West Central Coast www.chw.edu
Dad had manyhealthcare industry recognitions including:
Fellow, American College of Healthcare Executives
Fellow, American Association of Healthcare Consultants
Fellow in the American Academy of Medical Administrators and received their “Distinguished Service Award” in 1983.
My Dad has taught me many lessons over the nearly five decades, and he is always fond of saying give “Roses to the Living”, well Dad, enjoy these many beautiful bouquets from your friends and colleagues, Happy Father’s Day,
Love,
Michael
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Comments
Thanks for sharing that… Umm, my dad, well he taught me to play baseball. He worked till the day he died… Umm, yup, he loved us… Oh and most likely he passed down bipolar disorder to me, so I did get that. 
Just wanted to say hell hello.
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my dad is a real hero.he taught me so many things.what i am now is all because of him.
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david
Florida Drug Rehab
Florida Drug Rehab
Ya my dad is a super hero.He taught me a lot of things which i would not have learnt without him.
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david
Florida Drug Rehab
Florida Drug Rehab
Mike, a belated catch up on your father’s day email. Please share this with your dad. I met Jack in 1978 at St. Thomas Hospital while he was consulting on the planning of a major facility expansion. I was a young administrative resident and your dad went out of his way to make me feel a part of the planning team. We stayed in touch during my 8 years at St. Thomas and of course through the Ryan Advisory Newsletter. I consider Jack to be one of the early mentors in my career that I am sincerely thankful for. He made a difference in the lives of so many healthcare leaders and organizations. Thanks Jack! Doug French
PS My father passed away in February of this year and I have reflected a lot in recent months on the benefit of having a strong father figure as a positive role model. I miss him.
Dear Jack, if you end up reading this post, Happy Father’s day to you! What a wonderful legacy your son is leaving for you.