Telehealth

Dr. Ellen M. Riccio

DNP, PMHNP-BC, FNP-C

Nearly thirty years in healthcare. Eighteen of them in emergency services.

Dr. Riccio in flight suit as a STAT MedEvac critical care flight nurse

I did not come to psychiatry from a classroom. I came to it from the back of an ambulance, a dispatch console, an emergency department, and the cabin of a helicopter. That is not a line on a resume. It is how I think, how I listen, and why certain patients feel understood here in a way they have not felt elsewhere.

If you worked with me before 2015, you knew me as Ellen Martino, or before that, Ellen Ryan. Same person.

Ellen, 1997
1997
EMT
Started in emergency services with Pennsylvania Medical Transport, running basic life support and emergency transport.
1998
Emergency Medical Dispatcher
Certified through the National Academy of Emergency Medical Dispatch. Took 911 calls and dispatched police, fire, and EMS for Lawrence County and the LEOC, giving prearrival instructions while help was still on the way.
Noga Ambulance, 2000
2000
Paramedic
Completed paramedic training at the Community College of Allegheny County Public Safety Institute.
2000 to 2009
Teaching
Nine academic years as adjunct faculty in EMS at CCAC, teaching first responder, EMT, and paramedic courses, later at Community College of Beaver County and Butler County Community College. Taught cardiology, endocrinology, and medication administration at the paramedic level.
Jameson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, 2005
2005
Diploma in Nursing
Jameson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, New Castle.
2005
Prehospital Registered Nurse
Certified PHRN through the Pennsylvania Department of Health, one of a small number of nurses credentialed to practice in the prehospital setting.
2005 to 2015
Emergency Department
Emergency nursing at Allegheny General, a Level I trauma center, then at Ellwood City Hospital, where high-acuity patients arrived without much subspecialty backup.
2010 to 2012
Flight Nurse
Critical care air medical transport with STAT MedEvac, working a two-person crew under transport protocols.
2011
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Carlow University, Pittsburgh.
Carlow University, 2015
2015
Master of Science in Nursing, FNP
Carlow University. Retired from prehospital and emergency practice in July 2015 to move into advanced practice.
2015 to 2025
Advanced Practice
Home palliative and hospice care, on-site occupational health, medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder at Recovery Pathways, and home-based primary care with Matrix Medical Network, practicing autonomously without on-site support.
2025
Post-Master’s Certificate, PMHNP
Walden University. Board certified through ANCC.
2026
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Walden University, conferred August 9, 2026. Doctoral project on implementing structured safety planning in outpatient psychiatric care.