After a child neurology fellowship at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Ralph served eight years active duty in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Major. He was stationed in Landstul, Germany during Desert Storm, where he treated wounded soldiers returning from the front lines. Ralph was honorably discharged in 1992. Since that time, he has worked as a pediatric neurologist in his practice based at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk. In addition to his work as a doctor, Ralph is an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Eastern Virginia Medical School, and has ten years of volunteer service as Medical Director for the Edmarc Hospice for Children in Portsmouth.

Since first being elected to the Senate of Virginia in 2007, Ralph has scored numerous major legislative accomplishments, including helping to prohibit smoking in restaurants, protecting youth athletes who have sustained concussions, improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay, and shielding our first responders from communicable diseases. He has also been a tireless advocate for women's health, public education, economic development, and long term solutions to Virginia's transportation problems. For his efforts, Ralph has been recognized by the American Cancer Society, the Medical Society of Virginia, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Virginia Sheriffs' Association, and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia.

During his initial Senate campaign and again during his reelection bid in 2011, Ralph received the endorsements of the Virginia Education Association, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, AFL-CIO, Equality Virginia, Planned Parenthood, and the Virginian-Pilot, along with U.S. Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner, and Governor Tim Kaine.

Ralph lives in Norfolk with his wife Pam, an elementary school science teacher. They have two children- Wes, who attends Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Aubrey, who attends the University of Virginia.See More