About Dr. Ricki

Born in Boston, MA, I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area at age 4. Growing up in suburban Walnut Creek in the 50's and 60's I witnessed the shift in social structures and mother's roles first hand. An avid baby sitter from age 12, I learned early about the struggles of the working professional mother. Highly impressed by a neighbor who was a mother, wife and pediatrician, at age 8 I knew I wanted to be a doctor. The needs of women, especially those engaged in the process of raising children, have captivated my professional interest throughout my career. I was educated at public schools, from kindergarten through attending UC Berkeley, where I earned a BA in Zoology-Immunology, followed by a Master's degree in Health Sciences, also at UC Berkeley. I then received my M.D. from UC San Francisco, and became board certified as an obstetrician-gynecologist in 1981.As a leader in the practice of integrative medicine in women's health care., I have continued to expand my knowledge of alternative and complementary therapies in service to my patients. I am a former Chief of the Division of Gynecology at the California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), in addition to being the chair of the implementation task force and founding director for Education for CPMC's Breast Health Center.

I specialize in educating women about wellness-promoting life style choices and nutrition as well as the integration of psychological counseling, traditional Chinese medicine and complementary healing practices into main stream health care. Further insight into the depth of our need to nurture mothers is fueled by having delivered over 1,500 babies in addition to being a mother myself. I enjoy appearing on television, appearing as a regular women's health guest expert on local and national television and radio programs. I also enjoy giving public lectures and continuing education seminars to health professionals and organizations.

I live and work in the beautiful city of San Francisco. In 1994 I stopped delivering babies, with a desire to be home more with my own 11 year old daughter, appreciating that to nurture my own nest I could no longer do Obstetrics with its irregular hours and frequent emergencies. I continue to have the pleasure of assisting my patients with their early infant and self care post partum, as well as taking care of them (and now many of their daughters whom I delivered!) through many fruitful years of motherhood.

My career is now focused on healthy aging in women, including hormone replacement therapy using primarily bio-identical hormones, and reducing risks for functional loss and dependency. I specialize in the endocrinology of menopause and disease risk reduction as reflected in individual patient care options and clinical management decision-making, with an emphasis on breast cancer early detection, diagnosis, treatment options and ongoing cancer survivor care.

My career is now focused on healthy aging in women, including hormone replacement therapy using primarily bio-identical hormones, and reducing risks for functional loss and dependency. I specialize in the endocrinology of menopause and disease risk reduction as reflected in individual patient care options and clinical management decision-making, with an emphasis on breast cancer early detection, diagnosis, treatment options and ongoing cancer survivor care.

I have committed to becoming more active in the politics of medicine, hoping to preserve the very special nature of the physician patient relationship as well as promoting greater collegiality through all sectors of health care. I am a member of the following professional organizations: American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG). Fellow, 1984 to present. American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 1983 to present North American Menopause Society, 1992 to present American Society of Breast Disease, 1994 to present California Medical Association: San Francisco Medical Society, 1981to present. Editorial Board, 1998-present. Editor in Chief, 1999- 2001. The American Medical Writers Association, 1994-2000. My academic appointments include: Clinical faculty at UC San Francisco (Women's health and female sexuality courses) Clinical faculty at the University of Arizona School of Medicine ("Current issues in women and children's health" course) California Institute of Integral Studies.

I serve on the board of the non-profit, Sophia Project, which cares for homeless mothers and their children in West Oakland. For 15 years I served on the board of the Patient Assistance Foundation whose job it is to raise money for health education, social services and financial counseling for those in need. My hobbies include cooking and baking, having held a job as pastry chef assistant during college and never losing my enthusiasm for home made cakes and cookies. I also enjoy music (when I can practice, I play viola in chamber music groups and sing soprano in a choir), reading on diverse subjects, bike riding and hiking to explore nature and the world.