Board Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Graduate Education: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Undergrad: Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA

Ms. Ripka was born and raised in the Pioneer Valley. As a child, she and her O’Connor family clan were all patients of Holyoke Pediatrics; The circle of life has now brought Ms. Ripka back home to care for new generations of children. While attending graduate school, she worked as a Registered Nurse on the Infants & Children's unit at Baystate Children’s hospital. After completing graduate school, Ms. Ripka left New England to explore city life and transition to her first role as a practitioner at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. At CHOP she provided comprehensive inpatient care to children with complex specialized medical needs. Ms. Ripka then looped back up the Atlantic concentrating her practice for a decade in Digestive Diseases and Nutrition at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. Prior to Ms. Ripka’s arrival at HPA, she spent five years as a primary care provider in Springfield, MA. 

Ms. Ripka finds smiles infectious, starting with an infant’s social smile. She shares the utmost joy in celebrating developmental milestones with her patients and their families. She embraces the gift of supporting children and their caregivers through vulnerable times of illness. Ms. Ripka pays special attention to social emotional wellness. She strives to launch young adults from Holyoke Pediatrics with the tools to own their health journey. Ms. Ripka is certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board, a member of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and a National Affiliate and Massachusetts Chapter member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

Ms. Ripka and her husband share the adventure of raising their young son and dog daughter, Hadleigh Mae. Ms. Ripka enjoys acoustic music, theater, dance, football season, This Old House and hosting backyard gatherings.

Ms. Ripka sees patients 3 days a week in our Holyoke office.