Dr. Ryan Sondergard

Dr. Ryan Sondergard is a distinguished psychiatrist known for his expertise in the field of mental health, particularly with the use of Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) for treatment-resistant depression. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Sondergard has dedicated his professional life to advancing psychiatric understanding and treatment.
Professional Journey: With a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from A.T. Still University-KCOM and a residency in Adult Psychiatry at Saint Louis University, Dr. Sondergard's academic foundation is robust. Dr. Sondergard currently serves as a psychiatrist at the VA in Dayton, Ohio. He previously served as a psychiatric hospitalist at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis, where he oversaw adult inpatient services, ECT treatments, and contributed to consultation and liaison services.
Expertise and Contributions: Board-certified in Psychiatry, Dr. Sondergard continually enhances his skills, holding certifications in Electroconvulsive Therapy and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine. His dedication extends beyond clinical practice by contributing to an insightful blog addressing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and mental health.
Community Engagement: In addition to his clinical roles, Dr. Sondergard has engaged with the community. His contributions have ranged from a project addressing hospital readmissions to serving as a medical-student representative during accreditation inspections. Notably, he was awarded Rookie Resident of the Year by the St. Louis University Department of Psychiatry in June 2016.
Online Presence: Dr. Sondergard's commitment to mental health awareness is evident in his online presence. Through his blogs and websites, including drryansondergard.com and drryansondergard.org, he aims to provide valuable resources and insights into mental health, ADHD, and ECT.
Vision: Dr. Ryan Sondergard envisions a future where mental health is destigmatized, well-understood, and accessible to all. Through his clinical work, online platforms, and community engagement, he strives to contribute to a world where individuals receive compassionate, informed, and effective mental health care.
Explore the multifaceted journey of Dr. Ryan Bradley Sondergard, a psychiatrist dedicated to advancing mental health understanding and treatment.
==Early life and career==
Born and raised in the vibrant city of St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Ryan Bradley Sondergard's journey into the field of psychiatry began with a profound curiosity about the human mind. His early life laid the groundwork for a career characterized by a deep commitment to mental health understanding and treatment which he keeps today with his position in Dayton, Ohio, at the VA.
After completing his Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2011, Dr. Sondergard pursued a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine at A.T. Still University-KCOM, graduating in 2015. These formative years marked the inception of his passion for psychiatry, as he sought to bridge the gap between biological sciences and the complexities of the human psyche.
Dr. Sondergard's commitment to mental health took a significant step forward with his residency in Adult Psychiatry at Saint Louis University from 2015 to 2019. During this period, he honed his clinical skills and developed a holistic approach to psychiatric care, setting the stage for a career focused on understanding and addressing mental health challenges.
In July 2019, Dr. Sondergard embraced the role of a psychiatric hospitalist at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis. Here, he assumed responsibility for adult inpatient services, played a pivotal role in electroconvulsive therapy treatments, and contributed to consult and liaison services. His hands-on experience in a hospital setting enriched his understanding of the diverse aspects of mental health care.
This early phase of Dr. Sondergard's career laid the foundation for his dedication to advancing psychiatric knowledge, contributing to community well-being, and leveraging online platforms to destigmatize mental health issues. As he continues to navigate the dynamic landscape of psychiatry, Dr. Sondergard's early experiences underscore his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of individuals facing mental-health challenges.
==Career==
Dr. Ryan Bradley Sondergard's career in psychiatry is distinguished by a profound commitment to patient care, education, and advancing the understanding of mental health. Having completed his residency in Adult Psychiatry at Saint Louis University from 2015 to 2019, Dr. Sondergard embarked on a trajectory that reflects a holistic approach to psychiatric practice.
Currently, Dr. Sondergard serves as a psychiatrist at the VA in Dayton, Ohio.
In July 2019, Dr. Sondergard assumed the role of psychiatric hospitalist at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis, Missouri. Here, he provided inpatient services within a 72-bed mental-health unit, collaboratively managing a spectrum of psychiatric cases. His responsibilities extended to co-running the electroconvulsive therapy service, and actively participating in consult and liaison services. It is within this role that Dr. Sondergard's day-to-day collaboration with an advanced-practice nurse underscored his commitment to comprehensive and patient-centered care.
A testament to his dedication to professional development, Dr. Sondergard earned board certification in Psychiatry in September 2019. He holds a permanent medical license in the State of Missouri and a DEA license, ensuring his capacity to provide essential psychiatric care to the community.
Dr. Sondergard's expertise extends beyond traditional clinical settings. His professional interests encompass such matters as treatment-resistant depression and the application of electroconvulsive therapy in psychiatric care.
Committed to remaining at the forefront of psychiatric advancements, Dr. Sondergard obtained certifications such as the Electroconvulsive Therapy Certificate of Training in June 2019 and the MAT Waiver (buprenorphine waiver) in November 2019. These certifications enhance his ability to provide nuanced and cutting-edge care to individuals facing complex mental health challenges.
Dr. Sondergard's career is not limited to clinical practice; he actively contributes to mental health awareness through his blog and websites, including drryansondergard.com and drryansondergard.org. These platforms serve as valuable resources for individuals seeking information, support, and insights into ADHD, psychiatric treatments, and mental well-being.
As Dr. Sondergard continues to shape the landscape of contemporary psychiatry, his career is a testament to a compassionate and dynamic approach to mental health care, education, and advocacy.
==Philanthropy and Efforts in the Fields of Psychiatry, ADHD, ECT and Education==
Dr. Ryan Bradley Sondergard's commitment to mental health extends beyond clinical practice, resonating in his philanthropic initiatives and educational endeavors. Passionate about making a positive impact, Dr. Sondergard actively engages in various initiatives related to psychiatry, ADHD, ECT, and education.
Community Outreach: Dr. Sondergard has been involved in several community-focused projects, exemplified by his participation in the Christian Hospital Readmissions Project from 2013 to 2014. This initiative involved interviewing patients readmitted to the hospital within a thirty-day period after discharge, reviewing patient medications and discharge instructions, and ensuring patient literacy and understanding regarding their illnesses. These efforts contributed to more efficient transitions from patient discharge to outpatient follow-up, emphasizing Dr. Sondergard's dedication to community well-being.
Educational Advocacy: As a representative for the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) during the 2013 accreditation inspection, Dr. Sondergard played a vital role in representing Christian Hospital. He provided pertinent information, answered questions, and contributed to the accreditation process, showcasing his commitment to upholding and advancing educational standards in the field.
Peer Advisory and Teaching: Dr. Sondergard has a history of educational involvement, having served as a Peer Advisor at the University of Missouri-Columbia from 2009 to 2010. In this role, he taught a freshman pro-seminar focused on life sciences, imparting knowledge and guidance to college freshmen. This experience highlights his commitment to fostering learning and supporting the academic journeys of others.
Professional Development: Driven by a commitment to continuous learning, Dr. Sondergard participated in the Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy Program at the Saint Louis Psychoanalytic Institute from August 2017 to May 2018. As a student, he underwent theoretical and clinical training in psychodynamic-oriented psychotherapy, contributing to his multifaceted approach to patient care.
Award Recognition: Dr. Sondergard's dedication to his profession has been acknowledged through the "Rookie Resident of the Year" award from the St. Louis University Department of Psychiatry in June 2016. This recognition underscores his early contributions and commitment to excellence in the field.
Online Education and Advocacy: Through his blog, websites, and online presence, Dr. Sondergard actively contributes to public education and awareness in the realm of psychiatry, particularly ADHD and ECT. By disseminating valuable information and insights, he strives to destigmatize mental health issues, provide support, and promote informed decision-making.
Dr. Ryan Bradley Sondergard's philanthropic and educational efforts reflect a comprehensive dedication to community well-being, educational advancement, and the dissemination of knowledge in the fields of psychiatry, ADHD, ECT, and beyond. His initiatives contribute to a broader understanding of mental health and foster a culture of support and awareness.
==References==
==External links==
* Personal website
* Official website
* Dr. Ryan Sondergard Scholarship
* Dr. Ryan Sondergard on Medium
* Dr. Ryan Sondergard on Facebook
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Category:Health professionals
Category:American people
Category:University of Missouri–Columbia alumni
Category:American psychiatrists