Ryan A McConnell, M.D.

As Director of Inflammatory Bowel Disease at Palo Alto Medical Foundation, the main focus of my practice is caring for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (e.g. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis). I completed an Advanced Inflammatory Bowel Disease fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where I developed expertise in managing a diverse spectrum of inflammatory bowel disease from mild to complex. I came to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in 2017. My team and I have developed a large yet personalized inflammatory bowel disease-focused practice.

My care philosophy is guided by a commitment to provide compassionate, high quality, high value, and patient-centered care. I seek to create a partnership with my patients that involves careful listening, clear communication, and defining individualized patient goals. Patient education is a key component in managing chronic illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease. One of my roles is to help patients interpret the available evidence (or lack of evidence) from the medical literature as it applies to their situation. This helps patients make informed decisions that align with their goals and preferences.

My own experiences as a Crohn's disease patient reinforce the critical importance of having a doctor who is accessible, a good listener, a patient advocate, and who recognizes the pervasive impact of inflammatory bowel disease on the whole person (e.g. work, school, travel, family relationships, social situations, psychological well-being).

Inflammatory bowel disease clinical research

Inflammatory bowel disease outpatient clinic preceptor for California Pacific Medical Center gastroenterology fellows

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation IBD Qorus National Quality Improvement Collaborative Participating Site, Gold Status

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, Northern California Chapter

American Gastroenterological Association

American College of Gastroenterology

Intestinal Bowel Ultrasound Group (IBUS)

Northern California Society for Clinical Gastroenterology

Dr. McConnell is married and loves spending time with his wife and two children. He enjoys hiking, swimming, live music, and rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies.