VITAL WorkLife

Physician Peer Coach and Consulting Physician

GR Coaching and Consulting

Founder and Executive Coach

ChristianaCare

Clinical Faculty, Department of Medicine

Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program

Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program

Program Director, Transitional Year Residency Program

US Army

Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Tripler Army Medical Center

Chief Resident, Department of Medicine, Tripler Army Medical Center

Resident Physician, Department of Medicine, Tripler Army Medical Center

Concur Technologies

Senior Consultant

Systems and Computer Technology

Product Consultant

I am an executive coach who empowers high-achieving professionals to elevate their leadership, embrace transitions, and thrive through change.

Change is hard, especially for high achievers who hold themselves to exceptionally high standards and value stability while often grappling with fear of failure.  

However, transitions don’t have to be daunting. Coaching can provide the tools and mindset to confidently navigate change with purpose and joy.

As your coach, I will partner with you through life's twists and turns, transforming these transitions into opportunities for growth and fulfillment. Through one-on-one coaching and tailored leadership development programming, I foster holistic personal and professional growth through every step of the journey.

--

My Story:

My story is filled with many unique chapters. In short, over the course of my career I’ve been a consultant, physician, military officer, healthcare leader, medical education leader, and professional coach -- often wearing three or more of these hats at the same time. Along the way, I’ve found the most joy in providing inspiring leadership through change and helping high-achieving individuals successfully navigate transitions and challenges. I look forward to utilizing my deep expertise in leadership, professional development, and coaching to help you elevate your leadership and thrive through change.

Three years ago, I took the biggest professional leap of my life.

I had recently given notice to leave my full-time leadership role in healthcare. I didn’t have a plan, but I did have a dream.

After months of soul-searching, I realized that both my gift and my passion were helping others reach their maximum personal and professional potential.

Through my years as a leader in medical education and as a military officer, I had already spent thousands of hours mentoring and advising junior leaders and early career physicians. But I wanted to do more than offer advice. I wanted to master the art and science of true coaching.

So, in July 2022, I began my coach training with iPEC Coaching. Since then, the journey has been full of milestones:

• Launching my own business
• Signing my first paying clients
• Earning my coaching certification
• Becoming an ICF-certified coach

...And countless moments of growth in between.

Last week, I reached a goal I have been working toward for years: earning my PCC (Professional Certified Coach) credential from the International Coaching Federation. This certification represents over 500 hours of professional coaching and rigorous training.

In executive coaching, this is a meaningful benchmark. But to me, it also represents something more: the privilege of walking alongside so many leaders as they step into their fullest potential.

To my clients, colleagues, mentors, and accountability partners – thank you for trusting me, challenging me, and cheering me on every step of the way.

If you've been quietly carrying a dream, maybe now is the time to take your first step. It may not be perfect. It will not be certain. But it just might lead somewhere extraordinary.

Gretchen Rickards

Leadership and Transitions Coach | Physician | Educator | Lifelong Learner

Highlight of last week: Dinner in the Chicago suburbs with my husband, Nealanjon (Neal) Das, and his physician coach, Michael Hersh, MD. 

The evening included a sassy waitress, the soundtrack of commuter trains, and the kind of real conversation that only happens when you're sharing a long leisurely meal instead of talking through screens. 

We first connected here on LinkedIn, and this was the first time any of us had met in person. Thank you, Michael -- we had an amazing time and can't wait to do it again!

𝗦𝗶𝘅 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿.

She started middle school this week, and I’ve found myself unexpectedly emotional, realizing we’re already almost two-thirds through her childhood and entering a whole new stage of parenting.

For the first time, her bus stop isn’t at the end of our driveway. She walks to the corner on her own while I walk a short loop nearby, pretending we’re strangers. It’s our unspoken agreement and a win-win. I get my steps in, she gains her independence, and little by little the distance will grow until she’s doing it all on her own.

I don’t know if this is the “right” approach. But at this moment, it feels right for both of us.

That's the heart of this stage: giving them space to spread their wings while staying close enough to catch them if they fall.

I’ve guided hundreds of medical trainees through this same balance, offering both support and independence. But with your own child, it feels completely different.

And maybe that’s the truth about transitions, whether in parenting, leadership, or life. They're never perfect, and that's OK. The best we can do is give ourselves grace as we figure it out, one first day at a time.

#transitions #graceintransitions #parenting #selfleadership #leadershipcoaching

𝗔 𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹.

I recently read 𝘕𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 by former FBI negotiator Chris Voss, and it’s reshaping how I think about leadership conversations.

One concept that especially stuck with me is 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆, the skill of actively listening, acknowledging emotion, and demonstrating understanding to build trust and guide conversations more effectively.

It's not about agreeing. It's about understanding and helping the other person feel understood.

𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁?
👉 𝘓𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

“It sounds like you’re feeling overwhelmed.”
“It seems like that was really disappointing.”
“It looks like you’re frustrated.”

That small shift builds connection, diffuses tension, and opens the door to real dialogue, whether you're navigating conflict, leading a team, or coaching through change.

𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮 𝗱𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆?

#communicationskills #emotionalintelligence #negotiation #neversplitthedifference #leadership

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲.

That theme has been coming up with many of my executive coaching clients lately. As high-achievers, we often struggle to give ourselves permission to pause, to rest, or even to simply experience joy.

I’m not immune to it either. Even after four years of intentional work, I still struggle to prioritize my own needs during the workday. The mindset that productivity equals worth was ingrained early and reinforced by decades in healthcare, where the patient and the profession always came first. Even now, as my own boss, I sometimes forget that the only person holding my feet to the fire is me.

So yesterday felt like a small but meaningful breakthrough. On my way home from a networking event, I finally stopped at Baldwin’s Book Barn, an independent bookstore I’ve passed dozens of times but never allowed myself the time to enter.

I love books, so I leisurely wandered the aisles. It felt wonderful. Liberating, even.

And yes, the one book I brought home was about leadership. (Some habits die hard.) But giving myself permission to do something just for me — in the middle of a workday — felt like real progress.

As leaders, we can forget that modeling permission is just as powerful as modeling productivity. When we give ourselves permission to be human, we give others permission, too.

👉 What’s one small permission you could give yourself this week?

#LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #HighAchievers #WorkLifeBalance #SustainableLeadership

Struggling to stay focused in a world full of distractions?

If so, you're not alone. I hear this all the time from leaders who feel pulled in too many directions.

One of my favorite tools for staying on track is the 𝗣𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱, also known as the tomato timer. 

It's simple, flexible, and surprisingly effective, especially for those juggling competing demands or battling digital overload.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀:
Pick one task.
Set a timer for 25 minutes.
Work on 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 that task -- no email, no multitasking, no checking your phone.
Take a 5-minute break.
After 4 rounds, take a longer break.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀:
• Makes it easier to get started
• Keeps your focus sharp and intentional
• Encourages rest and prevents fatigue

You might be surprised how much you can accomplish in just 25 minutes when you protect your focus.

What’s one task you could tackle today using this method?

#focus #productivitytips #leadershipcoaching #timemanagement #pomodoromethod

What if the very habits that once fueled your success are now the ones holding you back?

Recently, several clients have expressed this exact sentiment. They're highly accomplished leaders in their respective fields who've discovered that their tried-and-true strategies are no longer serving them. Tactics like:

• Pushing through at any cost
• Saying yes to every opportunity
• Juggling every ball
• Relying solely on individual effort rather than building support systems

It’s a common turning point. Early in our careers, sheer effort is often enough. But as responsibilities grow and life becomes more complex, the old playbook starts to fail.

The result is overwhelm, a constant feeling of being stretched too thin, or even burnout.

Coaching offers the space to pause, examine what's no longer working, and develop sustainable strategies that support both impact and wellbeing.

The leaders who thrive long-term aren’t necessarily the most driven – they’re the ones who are willing to evolve how they lead as they grow.

What's one strategy that served you well early in your career but might need updating now?

#LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #SustainableLeadership #HighAchievers #WorkplaceWellbeing

𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿.

That belief was at the heart of a podcast conversation I had with Diane W. Shannon, MD, MPH — and it’s the foundation of our 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁.

What makes this retreat unique is the combination of our perspectives:

• Diane brings deep expertise in 𝗽𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴.
• I bring a focus on 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁.

Together, we’ve designed an immersive experience where women physicians can step away from daily demands, gain clarity, and return with tools to lead confidently 𝘢𝘯𝘥 sustain themselves for the long run.

You’ll leave with 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 with peers who truly understand your journey.

Because no matter your title, you are a leader — and this retreat will give you the tools and support to lead 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 way.

✨ Only a few seats remain! Message me today to secure your spot, or click the link in the comments to learn more.

🗓️ 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟳–𝟵, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 | 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗱𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗱, 𝗣𝗔

(Podcast and retreat details in the comments below.)

#womeninmedicine #womenphysicians #physicianleadership #physicianwellbeing #sustainableleadership

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Yet many women physicians step into leadership roles without the space, tools, or support to truly grow and thrive.

That’s why we created the 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 — a 3-day immersive experience for women physicians navigating leadership, considering career transitions, or quietly wondering:

“𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦—𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘨𝘰 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?”

What makes this retreat different:
• A small, supportive group of peers from across the country
• Interactive workshops on boundary-setting, influence, and taming imposter thoughts
• Personalized coaching before, during, and after the retreat

You’ll leave with:
✨ Tools to amplify your leadership impact
✨ Strategies to protect your time and energy
✨ Confidence in your next chapter

Seats are intentionally limited — and only a few remain!

📅 November 7–9, 2025
📍 Chadds Ford, PA

➡ Retreat details are in the comments.
📩 DM me if you’d like to explore whether this is the right fit for you.

#womenphysicians #physicianleadership #physicianwellbeing #leadershipdevelopment #sustainableleadership

Most of us in healthcare were never taught how to network, yet it’s essential for career and business growth. It took me two years to learn this entrepreneurial skill the hard way — now I want to share what actually works.

I’ll be doing just that in 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝟭𝟬𝟭: 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, part of the upcoming SoMeDocs(Doctors on Social Media) 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮, 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.

This will be a valuable talk for any healthcare professional looking to grow their personal brand, advance their career, or create new professional opportunities. Hope you'll join us!

View company: SoMeDocs(Doctors on Social Media)

We've got a brand spankin' new lecture added into the latest exciting online conference, hosted by SoMeDocs - Social Media, Marketing & Networking For Healthcare Professionals, taking place December 2-5, 2025.

In it, Dr. Gretchen Rickards, MD, MPH will pass on timeless networking principles that help healthcare professionals build trust, advance careers, and strengthen personal branding through authentic in-person and online connections.

By the end of her session, participants will be able to:
- Apply timeless principles of connection to build genuine, lasting professional relationships.
- Use practical conversation strategies to transform interactions into meaningful opportunities.
- Adopt a sustainable networking mindset focused on mutual value rather than self-promotion.

Sign up for this online conference TODAY (it's stil free while it's live!): https://lnkd.in/eRkeCkkh

If you contribute to the healthcare field in any way join yourself, here: https://lnkd.in/eCesNWSF https://lnkd.in/e85fDSzz

Open article: Networking 101: Timeless Principles for Today’s Healthcare Professional | SoMeDocs: Doctors on Social Media by doctorsonsocialmedia.com

Networking 101: Timeless Principles for Today’s Healthcare Professional | SoMeDocs: Doctors on Social Media

Women physicians, don’t miss your spot in this high-impact 90-minute workshop this Tuesday, August 26th!

Helping Mid-Career Women Physicians Eliminate 6-Figure Debt & Build your 7-Figure Portfolio | Save $60K in 12 Months | DM “WEALTH” to learn how 1:1 coaching helps you create 7-figure wealth.

✨Grab Your Spot:
Only for Mid-Career Women Physicians

You’ve done the hard work: medical school, residency, years of practice.
Your income is strong. But your portfolio? It’s not yet where you want it to be.

This exclusive small-group Masterclass is designed for women physicians who:
✅ Want to grow a seven-figure portfolio without adding more shifts or sacrificing lifestyle.
✅ Are tired of guessing about what “should” work and ready for proven strategies.
✅ Value clear, simple steps over financial noise and overwhelm.

I’ll walk you through the exact strategies I used to build and maintain my own seven-figure portfolio—strategies any physician can apply immediately.

You’ll leave with:
💡 A custom 90-day action plan to accelerate your wealth goal.
💡 A framework to make fast, confident money decisions.
💡 Tools to start seeing measurable results in weeks—not years.

Seats are limited to keep this interactive and high-value.

📅 Date: August 26, 6 PM
📍 Location: Virtual Masterclass
🎯 Audience: Mid-Career Women Physicians Ready to Create 7-Figure Wealth 

➡️ Register now before spots are gone

Open article: The Simple Path to Creating 7-Figure Wealth for Women Physicians by eventbrite.com

The Simple Path to Creating 7-Figure Wealth for Women Physicians

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