Specialty

Family Practice

Professional Education

DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Post-Graduate Training

Residency, Floyd Family Medicine, Rome GA

Certification

American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians

Chelsea Ryan, DO grew up in the hospital. Her stepfather is an anesthesiologist, and her mother is a CRNA. In the small community in rural Pennsylvania where she lived, Dr. Ryan spent nearly every afternoon at the hospital doing homework until her parents finished their work for the day. Even though she didn’t know in what capacity, entering the medical field was something she always planned to do. 

“The hospital was like a second home and felt very natural for me. I wanted to explore and try everything before I decided on what course in medicine I would take,” says Dr. Ryan. “Ultimately I chose family medicine because I really valued the relationship aspect – and I didn’t want to choose between seeing children and adults. I really enjoy working with people of all ages.” 

Before pursuing medicine, Dr. Ryan earned a degree in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She then earned her medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She completed a residency in family medicine at Floyd Family Medicine Residency in Rome, Georgia, where she acted as chief resident during her third year.

As a DO, Dr. Ryan looks at the whole person – mind, body and spirit – when making a diagnosis or addressing a specific health issue. Although there may have been greater differences in the past between an MD and a DO, today’s medical education explores the interconnectedness of the body’s systems – no matter which path you choose. 

The osteopathic approach looks beyond the symptoms of an illness to see underlying issues and believes in fostering the body’s own natural tendency to heal, while also making use of every investigative and treatment option available to help people get well. The osteopathic mindset is one more tool in her toolkit for providing effective, high-quality and personalized care.  

Dr. Ryan cares for patients at CHI Memorial Integrative Medicine Associates - Signal Mountain. Call (423) 886-2004 to schedule an appointment.