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A bit more about Dr. Ruecker

Bringing sustainable mental health to my hometown one smile at a time.

Dr. Ruecker grew up in Encinitas where he found a love of learning and science. His wonder years were spent vigorously studying, playing 16-bit video games, running cross country, doing musical theater, and eating Rico's burritos at Moonlight beach. He attended UC Davis where he studied neuroscience, primatology, and archaeology. He then went on to Scripps Research Institute investigating the effects of smoking on atherosclerosis and dyslipidemia. Craving more engagement with people, he then obtained his medical degree and numerous slices of pizza in New York. The next five years were focused on psychiatric residency and child fellowship completed at UCLA and Cedars Sinai Medical Center, respectively, while also finding the time to dabble in bass playing for a not-so-punk, punkrock band. For a few years after, he surfed quite poorly but practiced psychiatry quite well in Hawaii. He then went on to another educational five years as the the Lead Child Psychiatrist for Contra Costa County.  Dr. Ruecker then delved into specialized work on OCD and Anxiety with Rogers Behavioral Health. He has worked at other various clinics, institutes, and hospitals along the way. He has now found himself back in his favorite sunny location where he strives to give back to the community he cherishes...and maybe have a few burritos at the beach.

Ocean

David Ruecker MD

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