The Ripsy Story

RipsyTech CEO Tom sitting in front of a computer wearing a shirt that says Bay Area Children's Association

Founded in 2014 by Dr. Tom Tarshis, RipsyTech emerged from a clear need for easy-to-use EHR software.

Tom, once a software engineer and now a psychiatrist, started the Bay Area Children's Association, a non-profit providing youth mental health services.

After years of struggling to find an EHR that fit the organization’s needs, he decided to combine his technical and medical expertise to design the right system himself.

And so it began

By 2015, Tom had a working prototype of the system to show to friends and colleagues at psychiatry conferences across the United States, gathering critical feedback every step of the way.

By 2016, the product was integrated into the Bay Area Children’s Association’s clinical and operational workflows.

Why “Ripsy”?

Ripsy the dog lays on the couch in the style of an oil painting

RipsyTech was affectionately named after Tom's dog, Ripsy, who served as an emotional support animal during the formative days of his Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP).

Our logo features Ripsy as a tribute, symbolizing how our EHR similarly acts as a support companion for mental health professionals, offering comfort and reliability so clinicians can fully focus on patient care.

Now equipped with an expert team across multiple disciplines, RipsyTech has grown and launched its flagship EHR system.

Although the team is bigger, one principle has persisted: to be a force of positive change in the lives of mental health providers and their clients.

As for the Bay Area Children’s Association, it’s since evolved into Bay Children’s Services, upholding its mission to deliver exceptional mental healthcare to the youth of California’s Bay Area.

Where are we now?

Meet our amazing team

Bruce Klein

Sofie Lehtikoski

Fullstack Software Developer

Ryan Myers, MBA

Business Development Manager

Bruce Klein, MBA

Chief Technology Officer

Tom Tarshis, MD, MPH

Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Evan Trager, MD

Chief Innovation Officer

Natalie Lyukevich

Chief Financial Officer

Parker Anderson, MA

Product Manager

Sara Heron, MD

Chief Medical Officer

Our Mission

The RipsyTech team poses at their AACAP 2024 Conference Booth

Our core mission at RipsyTech is to revolutionize the field of mental healthcare, with a particular focus on youth suffering from mental health issues.

We are driven by a deep-seated passion and calling to make mental health care more accessible and effective.

Our approach is rooted in simplifying the administrative aspects of healthcare, enabling professionals to focus on what truly matters: patient care and well-being.

We are a company built for purpose, not for profit, and we invite you to join us in this meaningful journey.