Anne Ryan: Tribute to healthcare trendsetter, artist, tennis player and “Super Mom”

Happy Mother’s Day!

As mothers are celebrated around the world this weekend in May 2009, I wanted to pay tribute to my Mom, Anne Ryan for all she has done in my life and my six siblings, her nine grandchildren and her thousands of friends.

Here is a little history about her:

My Mom was born on January 28, 1931 in Leavenworth, Kansas- Anne Marguerite Herkins the 5th child of the 5th child and grew up during The Great Depression. During the past nearly 80 years she has made and lived a remarkable life and had impact on her family, friends, numerous professions, schools, communities and the world.

Mom was indeed a “trend setter” and multi-tasker. She raised seven children, started and managed an international business, was active in national politics, an avid tennis player and accomplsied artist a generation ahead of when such accomplishments were more common place.   Mom married Dad, Jack Ryan in 1951 and had daughters Annette and Amy in Denver, Colorado in 52,53 (Irish Twins) before moving to Corpus Christi, Texas where daughter Alicia was born in 1955 at Spohn Hospital.  The family moved to San Jose, Costa Rica where son John was born in 1957 once that healthcare client project was completed the family moved to Washington, DC where son Michael (me) was born in 1960, son Stephen in 1961, daughter Karen (d) in 1963 and son Paul was born in 1964.

After co-founding Gordon A. Freisen International, a healthcare consulting firm, in the 1950s, my Mom and Dad, founded Ryan Advisors on March 17, 1969 in their home office. They had seven children ranging in ages from 5 to 17 as they took a remarkable calculate business risk to start, build and grow their company based on their collective visions, hard work and creativity. Mom focused on operating the business internally responsible for the firm’s operations, finances and externally marketing (networking) with great success.  She had a rare special talent of engaging people very easily and comfortably; while keeping an eye on the financial aspects of the rapidly growing international healthcare consulting firm. She created innovated marketing, financial and client systems which were a decade ahead of their times as the firm quickly moved into the Chevy Chase Building for 14 years before relocated to The Ryan Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  

She “retired” in late 1980s. Yet she continued to work at http://www.asprs.org/ building their membership internationally.  She continued to volunteer weekly at surgery center at NIH http://www.cc.nih.gov/, local civic and community organizations. During her healthcare career she was active in the American College of Healthcare Executives www.ache.org; on the board of directors the American Academy of Medical Administrators http://www.aameda.org/ and supporter of  The George Washington University http://www.gwumc.gwu.edu/sphhs/alumni/hsmlaa/ and Saint Louis University www.slu.edu; the Catholic Health Association http://www.chausa.org/ , American Hospital Association www.aha.org and International Hospital Federation among many others. 

Friends Tribute to Anne Ryan:

I wanted to make this tribute to her on this Mother’s Day 2009 as a reminder to her that she has touched so many people during her lifetime in some many remarkable ways. Here are some friends, co-workers and colleagues comments about her life:

“Your Mom is a great person and I remember in the midst of all the children and health care business she found time to be an artist. One special lady

Sr. Carol Keehan, D.C.

President/CEO

The Catholic Health Association of the United States

Washington DC

"I first encountered Anne (Herkins) in high school, were we were both cheer-leaders.  We also volunteered in the library, where a favorite prank was seating a group of huge plaster busts around a table, and draping them with coats, as if for a meeting of the great minds: Shakespeare, Socrates, etc.  We went to a prom together. From that day to this, Anne has retained a sense of humor, a sense of possibility, and a love of life, come what may.  Her energy is infectious.  She brightens every room that she enters, and she is still always ready for an adventure on a moment’s notice.  Anne is a good cook and used to make hundreds of rainbow-colored meringues for parties I gave. She was for a while a chain-saw artist, carving huge wood sculptures from tree trunks.  She is small of stature but big in ideas and unstoppable in achievements. I know Anne made sacrifices for her family, her children.  I am glad that she has had some years recently to enjoy herself.  She is my cherished friend of longest standing, and I love her. Donn Murphy, Ph.D., President, The National Theatre, Professor Emeritus (ret) Georgetown University http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donn_B._Murphy

“As your childhood friend and ‘trouble-making’ partner, your Mom treated me like one of her own.  No small feat when there are seven, plus 1-2 friends each running around in the house.  I have very fond memories of those days and being a part.  A very special memory of ‘Mom Ryan’, bringing me ‘flown-in’ fresh lobsters from Maine when I was sick in the hospital.  A true ‘Florence Nightingale’!  Love you Mom Ryan, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! Harry Brubaker, Brubaker Real Estate, www.harrybrubaker.com  (One of my best friend of 43 years)

“In describing Anne Ryan, words such as fun, funny, cute, smart, talented, versatile, adventurous, artist, mother, bridge and tennis player, friend  and many, many other superlative adjectives come to mind.  Anne’s volunteer work at the National Institutes of Health shows how unique, special and talented she is.  For years she has sat with the families of patients who were literally undergoing life and death operations.  She used her talents, personality, caring and her can-do attitude to not only console the family members and make them more comfortable,  but to also be a problem solver for the families, such as helping to find lodging, travel plans, etc.  While others may have been willing to help the patients’ families, I have said many times that Anne and only Anne had the personality and the talent and the soul to so positively make a difference.  And she gave what is the best gift that I have ever heard of.  When the husband of one of her friends suddenly died, Anne gave her a special and unique gift by paying for driving lessons so that she could learn to drive.   Perhaps others were charitable enough to offer a gift.  However, Anne’s unique talent enabled her to foresee that her friend’s new found ability to drive a car could so greatly influence her life.  As it turned out, with her new driving skills, the friend was able to land an excellent position with a very prestigious company in Washington, DC.  And I agree that there must be some other mother who also raised seven great kids.  But I know of no other mother of seven who was featured in an article in Washington’s Evening Star Newspaper that praised her systems and organizing skills in raising such a family.  Perhaps I should have mentioned her recognized talent and accomplishments in art.  While considerable, I believe that her most unique talent is her ability to live her life and to be a true friend to others, whether a lifelong friend so someone she recently met on a plane.  Thank you my cute little friend, Jim.” Jim Gilbert, Boca Raton, FL

“I have known your Mother since we were in St. John’s College High School together.  She is one of those generous souls who give constantly to those around her.   My memories center around being at your house and experiencing the controlled chaos that comes from having seven children ranging from college to elementary school - and your Mother being so in control and managing the needs of so many adults and children simultaneously.  It was amazing then and it is inspirational now.  Only now with our families starting to approximate that stage of life can we begin to truly appreciate the intensity of those days.  She seemed to be the eye of the hurricane no matter where she was.  She did everything with such grace.  She was a delight to be around.  She was beautiful at 8 in the morning or at midnight when she was returning from an evening out.    And like all the great people that I have met, made you feel like the center of the universe when she spoke to you.   She focused all of her attention for whatever time she had on you as a person.  And it always made me feel appreciated.  I know you must have a million little snapshots like this of her beautiful spirit.   My snapshots of her are of the love that she emanated, the inclusiveness of her kindness and generosity, and her beauty both inside and out. I appreciate the opportunity to convey how your Mom’s love made such an impression on me when we were growing up.  Mike, you, your brothers and sisters are very blessed to have her in your lives.  Mrs. Ryan thank you for being such a wonderful spirit and loving example to me growing up”.  Paul Noone, CEO, Technology Appliances, Atlanta, GA;St. John’s College High School, Washington, D.C. 

“Hat’s off to Anne Ryan !! I would like pay tribute to a wonderful mother and a highly acclaimed and accomplished professional.  So as she approaches Eighty, I would like to Congratulate her and say to her here’s to many, many more vibrant years and successes.” Stanley Grube, FACHE, CEO, Morris, Marion Associates, Inc , Former President, www.GWU.edu Alumni Association, ACHE Regent for Los Angeles

“Two anecdotes about Anne that kind of says t all. When Midge and I and the three kids were ready to move to Denver, the moving van with all our stuff left a day before we did, so your mom invited us all to spend the night at your house to save the cost of a motel–which we were only too happy to do. A very thoughtful thing to do. The second anecdote–along the same line. After we had moved to Denver, I had occasion to come back to D.C. for a series of sales calls. Your mom graciously offered me the use of one of your cars for the several days I was here–also stayed with our family as I recall. Again an example of Anne’s generosity. I consider Anne one of my oldest (in terms of the time I have known her) friends. Oh yes, one other anecdote. Several years ago my daughter Jill and I came to D.C. to see a show. Well, we could not be in the area without seeing Anne–literally a couple of hours before we went to the airport. Anne fixed us a wonderful dinner because she knew we would not get any food on the plane. One more example (and there are more) of Anne’s thoughtfulness and generosity. I could go on but will stop here. Thanks for allowing me share just a few of your mom’s wonderful traits.” Harry Cullis, Denver, Colorado 

“In a word, WOW!  My wife Kelly and I had the pleasure of meeting “Mother Ryan” as guests in her lovely home during the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.  I can’t say enough to express how appreciative we are for her kind and selfless nature.  She helped make it possible for us to have an experience that we will treasure for all of our lives.  Here’s hoping that this Mother’s Day for her is the best one EVER!” Delvecchio Finley, Associate Administrator, San Francisco General Hospital & Medical Center & ACHE Regent for Northern California

“You are indeed fortunate to have such a wonderful mother. I, and all of the other members of our long lasting tennis group are also fortunate to have Anne as a  member. She is a ferocious tennis competitor, cheerful, cooperative  and always great company. One of the things I miss most since moving to Boulder a year and a half ago is playing tennis with (or against) Anne. Give her my love.      Irv Hoffman

“For this Mother’s Day, I would like to say a few things about Anne….She is a wonderful lady, extremely hard working women…have so much fun to be with…She is very trong lady, physically, and emotionally.  I’m so amazed of how she has managed to be very active in sport, in business, and still managed to spend some quality times with friends and families, and also managed to keep herself stayed younger…than ever…. For this Mother’s Day, I want to name her as “A Seven-Star Mother”.  Besides being a hard working woman for so many years she also has done a marvelous job in raising all her childreen, and they all become very sucessful in business…just like their Mother. Sokan Hing, Membership Manager, www.asprs.org

Trivia about Anne Ryan: ·       

- Born is Leavenworth, Kansas the fifth child of the fifth child

- Award wining artist since the age of 14 (later studied at the Corcoran School of Art and had her art work displayed at The White House)

- Kissed by the Vice President of the United States Hubert H. Humphrey

- Attended the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, and designed Presidential candidate Hubert H. Humphrey’s campaign girls (Was a “Humphrey Girl” along with Gretchen Poston, Barbara Boggs, Ellen Proxmire)

- All her daughters’ names begin with “A” (Annette, Amy, Alicia)

- Stood on her head in the Presidential Box at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

- Has “cat shaped eyes”

- Playing competitive tennis for 50+ years 

Today, Mom is approaching 80 (it’s the new 60 you know…) and she is doing very well, in excellent health still running after the tennis ball every day on the courts, keeping up with her nine grand children scattered from Paris, France, LA, FL, MD, CA, PA, and having a position impact on her world as usual. Mom’s parents John and Clara lived long and healthy lives until they were 98 and 97 years old so I expect she will be chasing after the yellow tennis ball for at least another quarter century.Thanks to all her friends, extended “family” and colleagues for their beautiful tributes to Mom. They are a testament to her many accomplishments she has made to this world and making each of their lives much richer. I know that is true for me, my six siblings and her nine grandchildren as her most important lasting legacy.

Happy Mother’s Day Mom! 

Love,

Michael (5th child or the 5th child)

Chairman

Executive Impact Group

San Francisco, CA USA

www.execimpactgroup.com

mikeryan@execimpactgroup.com  

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