12/21/2025
Get • Fox Ryker is a third-year medical student at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was nonverbal until age four, which is when he was diagnosed with moderate autism. Today, he is pursuing a career in medicine.
Growing up, Fox says his biggest challenge was making friends and fitting in. He often felt like the “weird, awkward kid,” no matter how hard he tried. After years of early intervention and social skills classes, he learned how to navigate social situations, though it didn’t come easily. These experiences shaped how he sees the world and the people around him.
Fox’s early experiences with doctors and therapists led him to healthcare. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics with honors, gained four years of experience as an EMT and ER technician, and, alongside medical school, works as a clinical researcher at Thomas Jefferson University’s Department of Neurological Surgery. His goal is to match into a surgical residency program.
While Fox says he may never be as socially comfortable as his neurotypical peers, he believes what matters most is patient care. “As long as I focus on the patient and their needs,” he says, “I know I’m doing a good job.” He also believes medicine is changing and that patients benefit from seeing more openly neurodivergent professionals in healthcare.
What are your thoughts on neurodivergent representation in healthcare?
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