The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation proudly honored John Ridley, MD, as Emeritus Superhero of Medicine during its Annual Event Health & Harmony, Friday, April 11, at the Edgewater Hotel in Madison. The Emeritus Superhero of Medicine is a way to recognize someone who has fundamentally changed their community, medicine and our Medical Society with their persistence, courage, and lifetime of service.
John Ridley, MD, is a retired ophthalmologist who practiced in the Milwaukee and Mequon region for more than thirty years. Growing up and attending college in Indiana, he relocated to Wisconsin with his family in 1961 for his medical residency, becoming the first Black ophthalmologist in Milwaukee. He joined Cream City Medical Society, Milwaukee’s first and only organization of African American physicians. At the time Black physicians were not allowed membership in the AMA or State Medical Society. He served in leadership at St. Mary’s Hospital and in the 1990’s was a past president of Medical Society of Milwaukee County, an AMA Delegate, and served on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Medical Society. He was also a past president of the Milwaukee Rotary Club.
He was a trailblazer in leadership and advocacy throughout his career. He was a powerful voice that called attention to systemic racism not only in health care and medicine, but also in education and American history and was one of the most important voices in bringing awareness to the historic racism in medicine which led to a formal apology in 2008.
Colleague Clarence Chou, MD, wrote in his letter of recommendation, “Dr. Ridley’s nemesis is thoughtlessness. He has made a change in the way others see the world around them.” Admired for his unwavering kindness and compassion, Dr. Ridley truly has demonstrated himself as a superhero of the community.
“Being an ophthalmologist has allowed me to witness—both literally and figuratively—the power of vision,” Dr. Ridley wrote. “Receiving this Superhero in Medicine award is a once-in-a-lifetime honor, and it serves as a reminder: You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. Thank you for this wonderful recognition.”
