On this episode, we are speaking with Dr. Marianne Ritchie, one of the first women to practice gastroenterology in the Philadelphia region and a pioneer in the field for over 30 years. 

Please do not forget to visit www.aacr.org to make a donation or to find helpful information and resources. Together we can make progress in the fight against cancer and bring hope to those who need it most. 

Please don't forget, cancer research saves lives.

For more information visit the AACR and our podcast here: https://www.aacr.org/get-involved/believe-in-progress-an-aacr-foundation-podcast/

This podcast was produced by the awesome people at CollegeCast LLC. Visit www.collegecastpodcasts.com for more information, or to check out our amazing podcasts.

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Dr. Ritchie completed her undergraduate degree at St. Joseph’s University and her medical degree at Jefferson Medical College (now Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia). Following training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the world’s oldest all-cancer hospital, she returned to Philadelphia to practice at The Lankenau Hospital and later served on the faculty at Temple University Hospital.  

Currently Dr. Ritchie is an Associate Professor at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where she has held several leadership roles including President of the Jefferson Medical College Alumni Association. She is the foundress of the Annual Women’s Forum which was continued for over 30 years. Dr. Ritchie has also served in teaching roles with medical students, residents, and fellows. 

She is the Director of PINK PLUS®, an innovative program that bundles women’s cancer screenings – inviting women to have a mammogram, a gynecologic exam and a pre-colonoscopy consult in one visit. By spearheading this program, Dr. Ritchie is leading the charge towards more effective, equitable, and accessible cancer screenings. She has published her results and has been invited to present her work at national and international meetings.

Dr. Ritchie is also the Director of the BLUE LIGHTS CAMPAIGN® - an initiative that she began 10 years ago, to increase the public’s awareness of colorectal cancer by lighting buildings across Pennsylvania in blue each March. For 5 years the Campaign has included the PA State Capitol and for the past 3 years has included all State Capitols, making it a national effort. In 2017, Dr. Ritchie was awarded the highest national award for promoting awareness and education about colorectal cancer and screening by The American College of Gastroenterology at the World Congress of Gastroenterology.  www.bluelightscampaign.com  She has been invited to the PA State Capitol for several years in March as a guest of the House and Senate with proclamations for Colorectal Cancer Awareness month and for the BLUE LIGHTS CAMPAIGN®.

On March 4, 2023 Dr. Ritchie began Season 4 as the host of Your Radio Doctor®, on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT. It is the only all-medical talk radio show in the Greater Philadelphia Region which airs in over 30 states and has an international reach via live stream. Each week she interviews physicians and researchers from top academic centers around the country aiming to provide a greater understanding of various health topics for her growing audience.  

Visit www.yourradiodoctor.net for more information.

In October 2022, Dr. Ritchie earned national recognition when she was nominated for a C2 Award (Cancer Community Award) by Astra Zeneca and Scientific American for her work in cancer prevention, screening, and early detection.

Prior to her own radio show, Dr. Ritchie was featured for four years as the Medical Contributor in a weekly talk-radio show on WPHT called Women to Watch®, which highlights stories of women leaders.

Dr. Ritchie is a recognized author and has been a regular contributor to PhillyVoice, as well as a public speaker and has made multiple media appearances. She is also a member of national and international medical societies and a former member of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

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This is the Believe in Progress podcast hosted by the AACR Foundation and featuring Dr. Marianne Ritchie.

Join us on this journey of hope and progress. Subscribe to Believe in Progress, the AACR Foundation's podcast, today, and be inspired by the incredible stories of those who have faced cancer with strength and resilience, and the medical professionals who are working to find new treatments and ultimately a cure.

Please do not forget to visit www.aacr.org to make a donation or to find helpful information and resources. Together we can make progress in the fight against cancer and bring hope to those who need it most. 

Please don't forget, cancer research saves lives.

For more information visit the AACR and our podcast here: https://www.aacr.org/get-involved/believe-in-progress-an-aacr-foundation-podcast/

This podcast was produced by the awesome people at CollegeCast LLC. Visit www.collegecastpodcasts.com for more information, or to check out our amazing podcasts.