Every voice matters

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.