Philippa Ribbink, MD, FACOG
About Me
I encourage patients to be responsible for their own health and guide them toward that goal, emphasizing exercise and nutrition. My approach is holistic, but for certain problems, surgery or medications offer the best solutions. I encourage my patients to explore alternative treatments for problems that are not well-addressed in allopathic medicine.
During pregnancy and in the delivery room, I intervene as little as necessary, with the belief that pregnancy is a natural human condition. Having worked in low resources settings in Ethiopia, I am aware of the risks of intervening too late. But working in Ethiopia has also taught me that in most emergency situations we have more time than we think we do. Taking the time to explain why we need to intervene is very important because it gives patients a sense of control.
In the operating room, I use the least invasive techniques possible. I will adopt new techniques and materials only after I feel there is enough data to support the safety and efficacy of those techniques. In general, I try to find solutions for problems that fit the patient.
Since settling in Portland in 1997, I have fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest. I love bicycling and hiking. I also love exploring the Farmers Market and cooking the wonderful local foods Portland offers.
I grew up in the Philippines, Argentina, South Africa, and The Netherlands. My family still lives in the Netherlands and I speak fluent Dutch.
Because I grew up all over the world, traveling is in my blood. I have worked in Ethiopia in 3 separate medical missions and am planning another mission in 2018.
I believe that it is through travel and through work with patients from other countries and cultures that we learn about the universality of human suffering. My work in Ethiopia has also given me a profound appreciation of the medical resources available in our country and made me realize how many skills we have lost by relying so much on technology.
My Work
Education & Honors
- Internship and Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Center Hospital of Vermont, Burlington, VT, 1995
- MD, Cornell University Medical College, New York, NY, 1991
- Premedical Studies, Columbia University, School of General Studies, New York, NY, 1986
- BA, English, Barnard College, New York, NY, 1985
- Board Representative, The Oregon Clinic
- Committee Chair, Benefit Company Committee
- Member, Legacy OB/GYN Peer Review Committee
- Best Candidate Presentation, "Trans Men Using Testosterone Have A High Prevalence Of Penetrative Vestibular Pain", ISSVD XXV World Congress, Sept. 2019
- Lead Investigator, Legacy IRB Approved Study on Pain During Intimacy in Transgender Men on Testosterone
- Member, American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, 1999 - Present
- Member, Medical Society of Metropolitan Portland, 1997 - Present
- Member, Oregon Medical Association, 1997 - Present
- Fellow, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1992 - Present