VITAL WorkLife

Physician Peer Coach and Consulting Physician

GR Coaching and Consulting

Founder and Executive Coach

ChristianaCare

Clinical Faculty, Department of Medicine

Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program

Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program

Program Director, Transitional Year Residency Program

US Army

Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Tripler Army Medical Center

Chief Resident, Department of Medicine, Tripler Army Medical Center

Resident Physician, Department of Medicine, Tripler Army Medical Center

Concur Technologies

Senior Consultant

Systems and Computer Technology

Product Consultant

I am an executive coach who empowers high-achieving professionals to elevate their leadership, embrace transitions, and thrive through change.

Change is hard, especially for high achievers who hold themselves to exceptionally high standards and value stability while often grappling with fear of failure.  

However, transitions don’t have to be daunting. Coaching can provide the tools and mindset to confidently navigate change with purpose and joy.

As your coach, I will partner with you through life's twists and turns, transforming these transitions into opportunities for growth and fulfillment. Through one-on-one coaching and tailored leadership development programming, I foster holistic personal and professional growth through every step of the journey.

--

My Story:

My story is filled with many unique chapters. In short, over the course of my career I’ve been a consultant, physician, military officer, healthcare leader, medical education leader, and professional coach -- often wearing three or more of these hats at the same time. Along the way, I’ve found the most joy in providing inspiring leadership through change and helping high-achieving individuals successfully navigate transitions and challenges. I look forward to utilizing my deep expertise in leadership, professional development, and coaching to help you elevate your leadership and thrive through change.

Gretchen Rickards

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁.

Today marks 13 years of marriage to my husband, Nealanjon (Neal) Das.

Our origin story breaks every workplace romance rule. He was my attending during residency, though the dynamic was far from romantic — I actually considered him the second scariest attending in the entire program. We didn’t start dating until after I graduated and stayed on as staff, and we fell in love against the backdrop of Hawaii.

But this post isn’t about how we met. It’s about a moment that changed everything.

During COVID, when I was physically and emotionally depleted but still pushing through, Neal had the courage to tell me I wasn’t OK. He also suggested I try the free physician peer coaching offered through my institution.

That one conversation opened the door to getting the support I needed and eventually led me to my purpose in coaching.

If not for that suggestion, I doubt I would have sought help on my own. The physician mentality of pushing through at all costs, never showing weakness, and always putting work and patients first, was deeply ingrained — even as a leader who regularly suggested wellbeing resources to others.

Over the years, we’ve navigated two children, two cats, seven moves, parental illness, breast cancer, a craniotomy, six job changes, and two major career transitions, and I can’t imagine a more supportive partner every step of the way.

In leadership circles, we celebrate mentors and sponsors, but we rarely acknowledge the partners who make our work possible — the ones who see us clearly even when we can’t see ourselves, and love us enough to tell us hard truths.

Neal, I’m grateful for you beyond words. Here’s to lucky 13 and many more.

Leadership and Transitions Coach | Physician | Educator | Lifelong Learner

𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗿𝗮𝗽.

After a few days of recovery and reflection, I’m finally putting words to an unforgettable weekend.

Our inaugural 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘞𝘢𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 brought eleven women physicians together from across the country, representing different specialties and career stages, for a meaningful blend of leadership development, well-being, and community in Chadds Ford, PA.

When Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH and I created this retreat, our guiding intention was this: 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘥, 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵. And based on what participants shared, many did.

The magic happened in the small group conversations, the honest stories shared over meals, and the space to pause and reconnect with what matters most. Many participants shared that they left with more clarity, stronger boundaries, new tools, and renewed confidence. Perhaps most powerfully, they left feeling part of a supportive community of women physicians and reminded that they aren’t alone.

To the remarkable women who joined us, thank you. Your openness and generosity shaped the entire experience. And sincere thanks to the Fairville Inn, InJest Events, and Laura Robinson for helping bring this retreat to life.

We’re already planning the next Lead Your Way Retreat for October 2026 at the same location. ✨ If you want priority updates as we finalize plans, feel free to reach out.

#WomenPhysicians #WomenInMedicine #PhysicianLeadership #PhysicianWellbeing #LeadershipDevelopment

“𝗜 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱.”

I recently caught up with a former coaching client, a woman physician I worked with nearly three years ago as she was preparing to negotiate a new contract. Back then, we focused on the fundamentals: knowing what she wanted, asking for it clearly, and trusting her own value.

Fast forward to today. Because of a family move, she needed to navigate another job transition. When we spoke a few months ago, I encouraged her to consider building in some time off between roles (if financially feasible) to create space for her and her young family to settle and reset.

She confidently negotiated for that and so much more, including:
✔️ A start date of her choosing, with several months off in between
✔️ A significantly higher salary than the initial offer
✔️ A signing bonus
✔️ An administrative role and title with protected time to do it well

She was glowing as she shared the news and expressed gratitude for the groundwork we laid together years ago.

She used the skills she built through coaching to design the job that fits the season she’s in now.

That’s the staying power of coaching: an empowered mindset, tools that last, and a career built with intention.

#LeadershipDevelopment #NegotiationSkills #LeadershipCoaching #SustainableLeadership

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𝗪𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝘅 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱, 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

Last January, my family bought this “unplug” box on Etsy. We came up with the tagline together: 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘞𝘪-𝘍𝘪.

It’s been sitting on a shelf most of the year, but that phrase has become our family code for “Put down the device and be present with us.”

On a recent Saturday, I set an intention to be more present, so we finally put the box to use and ended up having an impromptu digital detox.

What unfolded felt almost magical and reminded me that connection doesn’t always require more time — just more intention.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 — 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀.

What tools or practices help you reset and reconnect?

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸, 𝗜 𝘀𝗮𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Last Tuesday, my 12-year-old daughter was almost hit by a car while crossing to her bus stop. The stop sits on a busy road with poor visibility, made even more challenging by recent construction that has changed traffic patterns near our home. Needless to say, it was a frightening moment for both of us.

At 7:30 a.m., I called the school. By pure chance, the 6th grade principal, Ms. Katie King, picked up. She listened, empathized, and immediately connected me with the district’s transportation director, Mr. Tom Jenkins.

When I couldn’t reach Mr. Jenkins by phone, I sent an email. At 4:30 p.m., he called me back, agreed the situation was unsafe, and took immediate action. By the next morning, the bus stop had been moved to the end of our driveway.

Two days later, Ms. King followed up to express her concern and make sure everything had been resolved.

Listening, empathy, decisive action, accountability, follow through, and strong communication skills were present in every step of this experience.

The entire situation left my daughter feeling safe, our family feeling heard, and me grateful to be part of a district where compassionate, responsive, values-driven leadership isn’t just talked about – it’s practiced and role modeled.

I am proud to be part of Kennett Consolidated School District and so appreciative of the leadership team at Kennett Middle School.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆?

#leadership #leadershipinaction #gratitude

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Kennett Consolidated School District

𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻?
You might not need more hours — you might need stronger boundaries.

I’ve had boundaries on the brain this week. They’ve come up in multiple coaching sessions and were also a key theme in my recent leadership retreat.

When the topic arises, it can feel a little nebulous. Here’s how I frame it with clients:

Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out. They’re about giving yourself permission to decide who and what gets access to your energy.

𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂:
→ Protect your well-being and mental space
→ Strengthen relationships through mutual respect
→ Increase focus and effectiveness at work
→ Build confidence and strengthen your leadership presence

Without them, we risk resentment, overcommitment, and exhaustion.

𝗦𝗼 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁?
Pay attention to the moments when you feel resentful or emotionally drained. Those feelings are data points — clues indicating where a boundary may be missing or unclear.

The goal isn’t to build walls; it’s to open doors with intention.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀?

#Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment #SustainableLeadership #Boundaries

𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 — 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀.

But if you're a healthcare professional building a business, exploring a pivot, or interviewing for non-clinical roles, your network matters more than ever.

That’s why I’m presenting:
𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟬𝟭: 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹
📅 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 5 𝘢𝘵 8 𝘗𝘔 𝘌𝘛
🎤 SoMeDocs(Doctors on Social Media) 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢, 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 & 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦

I’ll share practical, timeless strategies to take the pain out of networking — especially for healthcare professionals navigating growth and transitions.

𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: The conference is offering 20% off. I’ll put the course link and the discount code in the comments.

Hope to see you there!

Open article: Networking 101: Timeless Principles for Today’s Healthcare Professional | SoMeDocs: Doctors on Social Media by doctorsonsocialmedia.com

Networking 101: Timeless Principles for Today’s Healthcare Professional | SoMeDocs: Doctors on Social Media

𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴. 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺.

This Giving Tuesday, I’m supporting the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation 
 — an organization dedicated to protecting the mental health and wellbeing of healthcare workers.

As an Ambassador, I’ve seen the impact they make through meaningful advocacy, education, and efforts to remove the stigma around help-seeking.

If you're looking to give today, I hope you'll consider this important mission. Because when we care for the people who care for us, we strengthen the entire foundation of healthcare.

𝘈 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴.

#GivingTuesday #PhysicianWellbeing #CareForTheCaregivers

Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation

Stand Up (for) Doctors!

I'm Kim Downey, and I am dedicated to amplifying doctors’ voices, other healthcare professionals, and patients as they share their unique struggles, challenges, triumphs, and passions. 

Join us for insightful conversations that tackle the diverse issues facing physicians and patients today. 

My mission is to build connection and create advocacy for healthy doctors, drive positive change, and showcase the power of the patient-doctor relationship in reshaping healthcare transformation. 

This is a space for everyone who cares about the future of healthcare.

Follow along for critical discussions and a commitment to supporting the physician community and patient empowerment!

Founder, Stand Up (for) Doctors!

Medicine Forward

Community Ambassador

Clinician Burnout Foundation

Ambassador

Nuvance Health

Patient Relations Volunteer Ambassador

Integrated Pediatric Services

Physical Therapist at New Milford Public Schools

Physical Therapist

Preferred Therapy Solutions

Special Connections LLC

RDI Program Consultant

Children's Therapy Services

As the founder of Stand Up (for) Doctors!, I am dedicated to amplifying the voices of doctors, other healthcare professionals, and patients as they share their unique struggles, triumphs, and passions. 

Through my YouTube channel and Substack Newsletter, I spotlight the human side of medicine — from burnout and moral injury to moments of purpose, connection, and hope.

As a physical therapist and three-time cancer survivor, I bring a unique perspective shaped by both clinical practice and personal experience. I serve as the Community Ambassador for Medicine Forward, and an Ambassador for the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, and the Clinician Burnout Foundation, working to promote physician well-being and advocate for cultural and systemic change in healthcare.

My mission is to build connection and create advocacy for healthy doctors, driving positive change that benefits both doctors and patients. This is a space for everyone who cares about the future of healthcare — and believes that supporting physicians is essential to healing our healthcare system!

Kim Downey

Ever feel like you need to be in multiple places at once?
Smiling on the outside while a part of you feels cloudy or rainy—literally or metaphorically?
Being present with your family… while your mind is also preparing for what’s next?

This photo captures all of that for me. 

I was recently standing on the Prime Meridian of the world at the Royal Observatory Greenwich in London—one foot in each hemisphere—and it struck me as the perfect metaphor for this season of my life.

I love the work I’m doing. 

Every day I receive messages of gratitude, encouragement, and reminders that my mission - to build connection and create advocacy for healthy doctors - is desperately needed.

And I can’t do it alone.
One person is not a movement.

Stand Up (for) Doctors! is growing quickly, and I’m looking to transition into a non-profit or Foundation, so our mission can be sustainable and lasting. 

With this growth comes the need for a team, for partners, and for support.

Many of you have asked how you can help, and I haven’t known how to answer that until now.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing different ways you can support our movement, in whatever way resonates with you...because everyone wins when physicians are well, and physician advocacy IS patient advocacy. 

Please consider…

✨ Attending, sponsoring, or promoting our Physician Retreat (Oct 9–12, 2026)

 ✨ Purchasing and sharing our collaborative book, White Coats, Courageous Hearts, and leaving an Amazon review

 ✨ Subscribing to, sponsoring, or promoting the Stand Up (for) Doctors! podcast on YouTube or Spotify

 ✨ Becoming a free or paid subscriber—and sharing—our Stand Up (for) Doctors! Substack newsletter

Your support, in any form, helps propel our movement forward.

Together, we’re building something that truly stands up for the people who stand up for all of us 💖!

Details for the retreat, book, podcast, and Substack in the comments section.

Feel free to reach out anytime with questions, or just to chat…I’m here for you 🤗!

#whitecoatscourageoushearts Stand Up (for) Doctors! Medicine Forward Healthcare Reinvention Collaborative Clinician Burnout Foundation

Founder, Stand Up (for) Doctors!, Fierce advocate for physician well-being, Author, Speaker, Podcast host, Ambassador for Medicine Forward, Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes' Foundation, Clinician Burnout Foundation, PT

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Gretchen Rickards

Kim Downey

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The Battle

Gretchen Rickards

Kim Downey

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Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Gretchen Rickards's LinkedIn Performance

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