Ruth Conn, MD, FAAP describes herself as an “Army brat,” living in Kansas, Virginia, New Mexico, Florida, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Hawaii, North Carolina, Washington, Germany and Okinawa. She attended Duke School of Nursing, and later received an MA in English before earning her MD at the University of Hawaii and completing her residency at Seattle Children’s.
Dr. Conn’s first role in health care was as a nurse in the Army and later a nurse practitioner in pediatrics. She worked for 2 years as a lecturer in English at University of Hawaii before going back for her MD. Dr. Conn then spent 29 years as a general pediatrician at Virginia Mason in Seattle, before retiring in 2016 and moving to Olympia. She has maintained a professional interest in child development and behavior and is interested in improving foster care and promoting literacy.
Dr. Conn is an active contributor to WCAAP’s legislative committee and testified before the legislature an impressive seven times in 2018. “I appreciate the opportunity to spend time with pediatricians and to promote the interests of children in a different way,” she says of her WCAAP involvement. Beyond her work with the Chapter, she volunteers for Amara Foster Parenting and is a past board member. Dr. Conn also volunteers for the South Sound Reading Foundation and United Way Reading Buddies.
Dr. Conn married her partner Dawn Stremel in October 2018 after an 8-year engagement, and has one daughter, Maggie, who recently launched a teaching career. She is an avid reader – participating in the same book club since 1986! Dr. Conn also plays guitar and sings in a choir and enjoys the bounty of outdoor activities the Pacific Northwest offers, including hiking, running, biking, backpacking and kayaking.