Ryan Laponis

Ryan Laponis, MD, MS, is a Professor in the School of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he practices in the Division of General Internal Medicine. He serves as Program Director for the UCSF GIM/Primary Care Residency Program and is deeply involved in medical education leadership.

Education:

• MD, University of California Davis, School of Medicine, 2008
• MSci, Biological Sciences, Stanford University, 2003
• BS, Biological Science, Stanford University, 2002
• BA, Dramatic Art, Stanford University, 2002
• Residency, General Internal Medicine - Primary Care, UCSF, 2011
• Chief Residency, Internal Medicine, UCSF, 2012
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion Training, UCSF, 2018

Dr. Laponis is a clinician-educator specializing in health professions education, graduate medical education, communication skills, teaching methodologies, educational leadership, and curriculum development. His work emphasizes improving teaching effectiveness, resident confidence in continuity clinics, interprofessional collaboration, and community-engaged advocacy training. He has contributed significantly to the scholarship of medical education, particularly in residency training and communication pedagogy.

His recent publications show a strong trend toward curriculum innovation in internal medicine residency, focusing on entrustable professional activities, continuity clinic immersion, interprofessional education, and advocacy training. The research spans disciplines including medical education, internal medicine, communication sciences, and public health, with an emphasis on practical, scalable educational interventions.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Fellow, Academy of Communication in Healthcare, 2019
• Inducted to Academy of Medical Educators, UCSF, 2017
• Robert H Crede Award for Excellence in Teaching, UCSF - DGIM, 2014
• Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators Excellence in Teaching Award, UCSF, 2013
• Inducted to Alpha Omega Alpha, UC Davis, 2006

Dr. Laponis is actively involved in advising and educational leadership. He serves as a core faculty member in UCSF's Center for Faculty Educators and in the national Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) TEACH program, which develops future medical educators. While no specific grants are listed, his leadership in nationally recognized programs suggests involvement in funded educational initiatives. He is also a member of UCSF's Academy of Medical Educators and contributes to institutional efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Dr. Laponis is affiliated with key educational units including the UCSF Center for Enhancement of Communication in Healthcare and the Center for Faculty Educators. His national role in the SGIM TEACH program highlights his integration into a broader network of medical education leaders and teams focused on advancing teaching excellence across the healthcare continuum.