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New Resident Spotlight: Nathan Ryan, MD, MS

By Lynn McCain | August 31

Ryan Nathan 500.jpgNathan Ryan, MD, MS, grew up in Dublin, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus and home territory for The Ohio State University. In fact, Ryan’s Ohio roots run deep; his parents, grandparents, and much of his extended family still live in Dublin. So, making the move to the University of Michigan came with a bit of good-natured rivalry.

“I didn’t have any problem with it,” Ryan said with a laugh. “But my mom had some choice words. She’s happy that I’m happy where I’m at, but I don’t know that she was thrilled about it initially.”

Ryan completed his undergraduate degree in microbiology at Ohio State, followed by a Master of Science in Anatomy, also from OSU. Before entering medical school, he spent several years building a career in research, work that would ultimately help guide him toward pathology.

A Research Path Toward Pathology

Ryan’s scientific career began in infectious disease research, studying Leishmania and working toward a vaccine for leishmaniasis. That experience led him to a second lab, where he studied head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and potential immunotherapies to treat it.

He spent about seven years in that research environment, earning his master’s degree along the way.

“Medicine was always in the back of my mind,” Ryan said. “Even in middle school, I remember going to my family physician’s office for a take-your-child-to-work day.”

Because he had many siblings, Ryan said not everyone could go to work with his dad, so he would spend the day observing his family physician instead. The experience planted an early seed, but research became the first major step in his professional path.

Farewell party with the Oghumu lab.Over time, Ryan found himself increasingly drawn to microscopy and to thinking about disease at the cellular level. Working in the Department of Pathology at Ohio State also gave him regular exposure to pathologists, including physicians and scientists whose work helped shape his direction.

Among those influences were Dr. Abhay Satoskar, Dr. Steve Oghumu, and Dr. Hans Iwenofu, a bone and soft tissue pathologist at Ohio State. Ryan said each helped influence his path in different ways.

“I think it was really the three of them, longitudinally, that inspired me and shaped my trajectory to be where I am today,” he said.

Drawn to Histology

Ryan entered medical school already interested in pathology, particularly histology.

“My histology classes were the favorite thing that I’d ever done in my life,” he said. “I loved histology so much. It was the coolest thing to me. It’s still the coolest thing to me.”

He jokes that if he could spend all day behind a microscope, he would be happy.

“And here I am,” he said. “So I get to do that. I’m pretty happy about it.”

While digital pathology may not be exactly the same as sitting at a traditional microscope, Ryan said the core of what he enjoys remains unchanged.

“The important thing is I still get to see the nice pinks and purples of the stains,” he said. “Conceptually, I’m still thinking about what’s happening at the cellular level to make those stains behave in the way that they are so we can interpret them.”

Choosing Michigan

When it came time to select a residency program, Ryan said one factor rose to the top: fit.

“First and foremost, it was very vibes-based to me,” he said. “I wanted to go where I was going to be happy.”

Ryan knew he would be spending four years in residency, and while strong training was essential, he also wanted to be in a place where he felt supported and energized.

“I could tell from the minute that I started talking with the residents that they were all just ecstatic to be here,” he said. “They seemed like they really wanted like-minded individuals to join them; to be studying, to be working hard, but also having a good time doing it.”

The program’s support for residents also stood out, as did the physical space.

“The resident spaces speak volumes,” Ryan said. “There’s a whole set of bay windows and lots of natural light. It’s really pretty and comfortable, and you certainly don’t find anything like that at every residency program.”

Ryan was also drawn to Michigan because of its opportunities in medical education, an area that has become increasingly important to him. He is interested in teaching at multiple levels, including undergraduate medical education, residency education, and possibly outreach to high school students.

“The opportunities to engage in medical education here are just second to none, as far as I could tell,” he said.“After the second look and getting another opportunity to interact with all the residents and just seeing how happy they were to be there, I sent Dr. Li my letter of intent that this was definitely where I wanted to be if he was going to have me.”

First Impressions of the Department

Dr. Nathan Ryan at the Minnesota Zoo.Now a few weeks into residency, Ryan said, “Everything that I was hoping and expecting it to be, it’s lived up to, and then some. First impressions couldn’t be better.”

He described the department as helpful, friendly, and welcoming, important qualities for a new resident still learning the ropes.

“Everyone is super helpful and friendly,” he said. “They’re going out of their way for me when I need help, which is good, because I need help sometimes. I don’t exactly know everything that I’m doing.”

Ryan also praised the introductory phase of residency and the chief resident's support.

“Andrew, the chief, he’s just fantastic,” he said. “The whole introductory phase has been amazing.”

One thing that did surprise him was the sheer size of Michigan Medicine.

“You don’t understand the full scope of how big something is until you’re there,” he said. “The hospital and the facilities are just enormous. I didn’t realize the full scope of it until I was here. It’s very impressive.”

Looking Ahead

During his first year, Ryan is most looking forward to building relationships with his co-residents and learning as much as possible.

“I’m very quickly learning that there’s so much that I don’t know,” he said. “I’m excited to fill that gap.”

Although he is open to many areas of pathology, Ryan currently has a strong interest in bone and soft tissue pathology.

“If I had to pick today, that’s definitely where I’d end up,” he said. “That might change, it might not, but I really like the histology that’s associated with it. I think it looks really nice. It’s heavily involved with molecular, and it’s just fascinating to me.”

His previous exposure to desmoid fibromatosis and chondrosarcoma research may have helped shape that interest, but Ryan said he keeps returning to bone and soft tissue because of the way it looks under the microscope.

“Visually, it is extremely appealing to me,” he said.

Long-term, Ryan sees himself in academic pathology, combining clinical practice with teaching and mentorship. He is especially interested in medical education and could envision himself one day helping lead a residency program.

“In some ways, I see myself in Dr. Li’s shoes maybe in 10 years as a program director for a residency somewhere,” he said. “Maybe here, maybe elsewhere. Those goals may change, but right now, it seems like a very fun thing to do.”

Mentorship and Learning

Ryan has had several mentors who helped shape his path, and he values mentors who are supportive, accessible, and willing to let trainees grow.

“I really appreciate somebody who is supportive, who is someone with an open-door policy,” he said. “Somebody who is there to help me out when I need them, but also is totally fine taking a step back and letting me do my own thing, learn at my own pace, and make the mistakes that I make and learn from them.”

At Michigan, Ryan hopes to learn from the many faculty members and trainees around him.

“Everybody that I’ve met here is absolutely brilliant in their own way,” he said. “I hope to just learn even a fraction of what they have to offer.”

Life Outside the Hospital

Finishing the Columbus Cap City Quarter Marathon.Outside of work, Ryan enjoys a wide range of hobbies. He plays video games and board games, often using video games as a way to stay connected with family back in Columbus. At home, he enjoys board games with his wife, Sara, and daughter, Ellis.

Music is another major interest. Ryan plays bass guitar and violin, and he has also dabbled in accordion, though he admits, “I’m quite terrible at it.”

He has played violin for close to 20 years and is classically trained,  though “I like folk music quite a lot,” he said. 

Ryan also enjoys being outdoors, whether walking, biking, or running. Cooking is another favorite activity, especially when he has the chance to try new recipes.

To recharge, he turns to those hobbies - and to sleep.

“Sleep is really valuable to me,” he said. “I’m always sure to get plenty of sleep, seven hours nearly every night. It’s a huge priority for me. I don’t work or learn quite as well when I’m tired.”

Exploring Michigan

As a newcomer to the state, Ryan is looking forward to exploring more of Michigan. Sleeping Bear Dunes has already been recommended to him, but he is especially eager to visit the Upper Peninsula.

“I quite enjoy the cold, and it seems like going further north would achieve that goal,” he said. “It’s supposed to be very pretty, I hear.”

He is also interested in exploring nearby state parks and, eventually, making his first trip to Canada.

“There’s just so much in the state,” he said. “There are so many great state parks around. There’s a lot to explore.”

Stop and Say Hello

Ryan said he is excited to meet more people throughout the department and hopes colleagues will introduce themselves when they see him.

With a passion for microscopy, a deep interest in medical education, and an enthusiasm for connecting with colleagues, Ryan is eager to begin this next chapter at Michigan.

“I’m pretty content with where I’m at,” he said. “I feel like I’m accomplishing my bucket list right now by being here.”

 
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