Welcome Dr. Philip Ridgway: A Passionate Advocate for Osteopathic Medicine
We are excited to welcome Dr. Philip Ridgway to our team at OSU Medicine. A native of Alva, Oklahoma, Dr. Ridgway brings a unique blend of small-town warmth and advanced medical expertise to our community. His journey into medicine began in 2013 when he moved to Tulsa to pursue an undergraduate degree in biochemistry at the University of Tulsa. From these early days, he has been committed to blending the rich, grounded experiences of his rural upbringing with the intricate challenges of academic medicine in an urban environment.
After completing his medical degree at the OSU College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2021, Dr. Ridgway embarked on a path that would deepen his passion for patient care. He pursued residency training through the OSU Osteopathic Medical Education Consortium of Oklahoma (OMECO) Family Medicine Residency, where he quickly distinguished himself as a leader, serving as one of two Chief Residents and receiving the Outstanding Professionalism award. His residency experience solidified his dedication to osteopathic medicine, a field that he believes offers a uniquely personal connection between physician and patient.
“Osteopathic medicine is unlike anything else in our increasingly pharmaceutical and often impersonal healthcare landscape,” Dr. Ridgway shares. “It’s a practice that emphasizes a deep connection and hands-on care, something I believe should be more widely known and practiced around the world.”
In 2024, after graduating from OMECO, Dr. Ridgway joined OSU Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine clinic, where he continues to merge his interests in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and academic medicine. His work focuses on treating common conditions such as back pain, headaches, and shoulder restrictions, as well as managing more complex issues like fibromyalgia and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Dr. Ridgway is particularly excited about the latest innovations in his field, including new fascial techniques that help patients alleviate pain and restore overall body function.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Ridgway is deeply rooted in his personal values and interests. Growing up as a pastor’s child in a lively household with four siblings, he learned early on the importance of community, faith, and perseverance—values that continue to guide his approach to medicine today. An active participant in medical missions, Dr. Ridgway also enjoys playing racquetball, engaging in tabletop games, and diving into a good book. He is a devoted family man, sharing his home with his wife, two dogs and two chinchillas.
Dr. Ridgway is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the Christian Medical and Dental Associations, the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association, and the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians. His dedication to his patients is evident in his approach to care, which he describes with a simple yet profound piece of advice: “The journey of healing is one of small steps, not large changes. Persistence and patience in allowing your body to heal is crucial to restoring health long-term.”
As Dr. Ridgway embarks on this new chapter with OSU Medicine, he carries with him a personal motto that has guided him through the challenges and triumphs of his career: Mihi Gravito Deus—Let God Lay The Burden On Me. And with a favorite quote from The Lord of the Rings always in mind—”All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us”—he remains committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of his patients and the next generation of physicians.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Ridgway to our community. We are excited to see the difference he will make in the lives of our patients and the field of osteopathic medicine.