With school starting, Quad City ORA orthopedic surgeon Dr. Ryan Dunlay will be heading to Davenport North High School as team physician for the Wildcats.
Dr. Dunlay will keep his day job as shoulder, hip, and knee surgeon, sports medicine physician and general orthopedist.
But his favorite job is “Dad.” In our ongoing feature “What Moves Me,” Dr. Dunlay talks about his boys, his dad and his patients.
Meet ORA Orthopedics’ Dr. Ryan Dunlay.
Years in Practice: 2
Hometown: Waterloo, Iowa
What is your favorite memory of your own father? My favorite memory of my father is the summers he took me and my siblings out for de-tasseling so that we could buy our own back-to-school clothes. He worked hard on our behalf, and we weren’t always the best help. He managed to keep all of us in line despite our best efforts at times.
Favorite Movie: “Field of Dreams.” There’s something about cornfields and baseball that is spectacular. The movie has an innocence and purity in its story and execution that is refreshing…and to top it off, it takes place in Iowa.
What’s the best advice your father gave you? The best advice he gave me was “trust your instincts.”
What do you like best about being a father of 3 boys? There are so many great things about having three sons. My favorite part is coming home and having them rush to the door for an opportunity to give me a hug or tell me about what they did that day.
Time Well Spent: My wife, Heidi, and I enjoy taking the boys to the park or on long walks. There really is never a dull moment with their energy.
What do you like best about practicing medicine? While there are many outstanding things about being an orthopedic surgeon, getting to know my patients and their families is the highlight. I enjoy seeing the patients through the process of their ailments and learning about their goals and aspirations. It is forever rewarding to see a patient improve and know that I had a part in this.
What inspires you most about your patients? Their desire to get better is very inspiring. Whether it’s getting back to work so they can provide for their families or a desire to return to a sport, it’s really personally satisfying to see that passion.
What are your hopes for your sons’ futures? My hope is for them to be truly happy and find a career and lifestyle that is satisfying to them and their families. I hope they make good choices that lead them down this path.
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