Imagine the emergency department
as a choir. Each person working together as the songs build up to a crescendo
before moving back down to the faintest whisper of melody.

Every voice matters, as Ryan
Matthews, MD, knows very well.

“He’s a great listener, he wants
to know what matters most and is always interested in his patients,” says
emergency medicine physician Robert Adams, DO, FACEP, FACOEP, Service Line Medical Executive Acute Care.

He continues to explain that
Matthews has maintained his engaging, curious personality from the moment he
joined the team in 2020. In fact, the doctor may very well be defined by the
term “engaged.”

“It’s more than him picking up
extra shifts—he does what he does with heart,” says Adams.

From coordinating third and
fourth year medical students, to strategizing with nursing leadership, and back
to his dedication to excellence at the bedside—Matthews puts everything he has
into what he does.

“He appreciates engaging others
and is a natural teacher in that sense,” says Adams. “He has a natural way of
connecting—of listening to others and allowing their voice. We need that more
than ever.”

And that carries over directly to
a patient’s experience. In fact, Matthews was recently recognized as the IU
Health Bloomington Emergency Department provider with the highest patient
experience score for 2022.

“Prompt, friendly,
professional all around excellent care,” says one patient. Others comment
on his consideration, dedication, and caring nature.

Overall, Matthews is a doctor
living the IU Health Values and IU Health Bloomington is grateful to have him
in their emergency choir.