Richard “Ric” Ricciardi Interview - AANP Oral History Project

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Noah

Comprehensive oral-history interview centered on Dr. Richard “Ric” Ricciardi, PhD, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN, detailing his leadership in nursing and health-policy collaboration. The narrative traces his path from an initial interest in teaching to nursing education, extensive active-duty service in the U.S. Army, and evolving research priorities in pediatrics, PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, rehabilitation, and chronic pain. It also highlights later roles in practice improvement, COVID-19 public health leadership, ongoing faculty work, and continued contributions through photography and creative engagement in professional nurse practitioner communities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Interview Abstract

Biographical Sketch

Richard “Ric” Ricciardi Interview

AANP Oral History Project

Earning the BSN

Dr. Richard Ricciardi PhD, CRNP, FAANP, FAAN is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) Region 3 Director. He is a professor and the director of strategic partnerships for the Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement at The George Washington University (GWU) School of Nursing. Prior to joining GWU, Dr. Ricciardi served as the director, division of practice improvement, and the senior advisor for nursing at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Dr. Ricciardi served on active duty in the Army for 31 years, where he held numerous positions as a pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) and family nurse practitioner (FNP), clinical scientist and senior leader. In his last two assignments on active duty, Ricciardi served as chief of nursing research at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and director of research at the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury. In 2020, Ricciardi was recalled back to active duty to serve as the Medical Director for the COVID-19 pandemic screening, treatment and public health response at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, one of the Department of Defense’s largest training bases. Dr. Ricciardi has held numerous board-level positions on nonprofit associations and organizations. He is an excellent photographer and has captured many historic moments for AANP and FAANP. He introduced an Art and Creativity column to the FAANP Forum highlighting the artistic and creative dimension of Fellows. Interview Abstract Dr. Ricciardi is a multitalented individual with many interests. He initially became a math teacher but at that time there were no jobs available. His sister was enrolled in a nursing program so he enrolled as well. His analytic brain often conflicted with the nurture aspect of nursing. His dean encouraged him to complete his program and his first job following graduation was in the Metropolitan Emergency Department in Manhattan. There he me a patient who was in the military and thought that he would serve 3 years. He ended up serving 31 years as he was brought back out of retirement to lead a Covid initiative for one year. During his tenure in the military he worked primarily in pediatric and adolescent units. He obtained an Army’s certificate as a pediatric nurse practitioner and worked in several pediatric or adolescent clinics. After receiving his Master’s degree from the University of Maryland, he was sent to southwest Germany where he provided pediatric health care for children of service members. He was hen transferred to Landstuhl, Germany where he served as Chief nurse for 18 months. After returning stateside, he was stationed at Fort Hood in multiple leadership capacities. He then taught at the Uniformed Services University (USU). He received a post master’s certificate as an FNP while at USU. During his doctoral studies his interest in research gained momentum and studied the impact of body armor on the warfighters in combat, particularly females. As Chief Nurse of research at Walter Reed Army Hospital, he sifted his focus of research to the army’s greatest need at that time, PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injuries, rehabilitation of the wounded and chronic pain. Through his research, he became interested in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). As Congress recognized the need for health services for returning military personnel, anew agency the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE) and Dr. Recciardi was appointed at Director of Research. In 2020, he reached the 30-year retirement mandate and retired at the rank of Colonel. He then served as the Director, Division of Practice Improvement and Senior Advisor for Nursing at AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality). In 2020 he was recalled to the Army for one year to serve as Medical Director for the COVID 19 pandemic screening, treatment and public health response at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He is currently on faculty

FAQs

What career path led Dr. Ricciardi into nursing?

He initially considered becoming a math teacher, then enrolled in a nursing program because his sister did as well. His first post-graduation role began in the Metropolitan Emergency Department in Manhattan.

What research and clinical priorities shaped his military and postdoctoral work?

During his doctoral and research work, he focused on the impact of body armor on service members and later directed research attention toward PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, rehabilitation, and chronic pain.

How did Dr. Ricciardi contribute to public health during the COVID-19 pandemic?

He was recalled to active duty for one year as Medical Director for COVID-19 screening, treatment, and public health response at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Noah