November 9, 2021
by Allen Ruan, MD Pediatrician at Boulder Medical Center COVID-19 was a top 10 leading cause of death in children…
Pediatrics
Comprehensive Care for Children from Birth to Young Adults
About Dr. Ruan
Dr. Ruan was born in China, where he lived until he was five years old. His father came to the United States to pursue his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder. From there, they moved around a little bit in Colorado, a few places in Boulder, up to Fort Collins, then finally to Longmont for middle and high school. He graduated from Niwot High School in 2006.
Dr. Ruan knew he wanted to be a pediatrician since high school. He loves working with children, and medicine was, and is, an enormous and wonderful field of study. He loves watching children grow up; they learn so many new skills and become bright young adults. It is an honor to help parents shepherd them through that process, he says. When there are bumps in the road, he takes his role in assisting parents in making the best choice for their family and their child seriously, whether it is active monitoring, medical treatment, or referral.
In medical school, we studied hard to learn about the body, the mind, and what to do when things go wrong. However, one of the biggest lessons Dr. Ruan learned was how to listen to young patients and their parents. The hardest part in medicine is making the diagnosis, he says. The process does not entail simply checking boxes, as computers are wont to do. It means obtaining a thorough history and a focused physical exam before determining which further testing and treatment options to pursue. Particularly in pediatrics, where so many of the symptoms of the disease are observed at home, Dr. Ruan highly values the skill of listening closely as a foundation for good medical care.
Dr. Ruan wants to ensure he has a solid working partnership with the child and family. While he may only see patients a few times a year, their parents are with them day in and day out. If we want to progress the child’s physical or mental health, we all need to be on the same page. He respects the concerns and priorities of my patients’ families, and expects that they know we are working toward the same goals.
One of the biggest reasons Dr. Ruan’s family moved back to Colorado after residency training was to get back to the outdoors, into the mountains for camping, backpacking, hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing. At home, he and his wife love to cook, garden, and spend time with their son.
Specialty Areas
Dr. Allen Ruan addresses the full range of pediatrics, including:
- Newborn and well-child preventive care
- Acute sick visits
- Chronic medical conditions such as asthma
- Dermatologic conditions such as acne and warts
Education and Certifications
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Residency — Baylor Scott & White Health
4th Year Chief Resident, Junior Faculty
Temple, TX
2021
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Residency — Texas A&M College of Medicine, Baylor Scott & White Health
Pediatrics Residency, Chief Resident
Temple, TX
2020
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Medical School — University of Colorado School of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine
Aurora, CO
2017
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Graduate School — Harvard Extension School
Post-Baccalaureate Program
Boston, MA
2011
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Undergraduate — University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences
Bachelor of Arts: Biological Basis of Behavior
Philadelphia, PA
2010
