Ricky Singh '98

Ricky Singh '98

Jaspal Ricky Singh graduated from Whitfield in 1998. In 2002, he completed his undergraduate studies in religion and biology at The George Washington University where he also pursued  a medical degree, graduating from The George Washington School of Medicine in 2006. Following a two-year surgery internship at Boston University Medical Center, Ricky completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania. In 2012, he completed a Fellowship in Sports and Pain Medicine from the University of Colorado and then began working at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, where he has grown his department from 5 to 18 faculty members. Ricky was recently named Vice Chair and Director of Interventional Spine at Weill Cornell Medicine and spends his time treating and evaluating patients with neck and back pain, teaching medical students and residents, and contributing to the medical literature in his area of expertise.  Ricky lives in Manhattan, with his wife and two children, Ria (b. 2016) and Rai (b. 2019).  His sister, Ritu Kaur Cooper, graduated from Whitfield in 1996.

“Whitfield provided me with the knowledge and, more importantly, the confidence to achieve my goals and stand up to adversity.  When I hear the news these days about bullying and the negative impact of social media, I feel truly blessed to have attended a school with a strong focus on family and unity.”

How did Whitfield prepare you for college and beyond?

When I first started college and was taking introductory English writing classes, I immediately realized how the multiple-draft writing process Whitfield emphasized across the curriculum influenced my writing skills.  Many of my peers had never prepared manuscripts in this way, and it was clear that my education at Whitfield was ahead of the curve in that respect.

What were some of your favorite classes at Whitfield?

The teachers were all very passionate about education.  Every student received unlimited attention in order to be successful both in and out of the classroom.  My interests always took me in the direction of the sciences and mathematics.  While all my teachers left an imprint on me and all have a piece in my success, my times spent in biology with Mr. Todd Gienke were truly memorable. 

What skills do you use in your career that you began forming at Whitfield?

Whitfield provided me with the knowledge and, more importantly, the confidence to achieve my goals and stand up to adversity.  When I hear the news these days about bullying and the negative impact of social media, I feel truly blessed to have attended a school with a strong focus on family and unity.