Jennifer Walsh, M.D.

Contributions to STEMM

“I provide primary care to patients across the life span, from newborns to geriatrics, and am particularly passionate about caring for adolescents and young adults as they transition from adolescence to adulthood,” Dr. Walsh said of her career. “During my 14 years as a faculty member at UT Southwestern, I've had the opportunity to lead the adolescent medicine rotation for pediatric residents, serve as an associate program director for the pediatric residency program, and build a new Med-Peds Division and residency program at UT Southwestern.”

Early Influences

“Honestly, I never saw myself as someone who was great at science or math, and never considered a STEMM career,” Dr. Walsh admitted.

“I loved the humanities, enjoyed reading and writing, majored in history, and was passionate about finding ways to serve the community and make the world better.”

Throughout college and after graduation, Dr. Walsh “spent time working at a nonprofit organization serving at-risk youth in East Harlem and the South Bronx; as I learned more about the needs of this community, it became clear to me that I needed to develop concrete knowledge and skills so that I could meaningfully contribute,” she said. “Becoming skilled in the art and science of medicine seemed to be a clear way to make lives better for the vulnerable, marginalized, and underserved in our community, so I put my insecurity about not being a ‘science person’ aside and pursued medicine as a career.”

Advice to the Next Generation

This experience taught Dr. Walsh the importance of finding your purpose.

“My advice is first to consider what is meaningful to you, what brings you the most joy, and how you feel you can best bring value to your community. Then you can focus on acquiring the skills and experience you need to achieve your mission in a way that utilizes your unique gifts and incorporates those things that bring meaning and joy to your life. If education and a career in the STEMM realm could allow you to do this, go for it.”

The UT Southwestern Difference

Dr. Walsh values the variety that her position at UT Southwestern provides. In a typical week, Dr. Walsh “sees patients one-on-one as their primary care provider, supervises and teaches medical students and residents as they care for patients in the clinic or hospital, develops Med-Peds educational experiences, and collaborates with other leaders and team members to continually improve how we care for people.”

Specifically, “I'm passionate about education and helping others to develop their unique gifts to achieve their goals, and love that this is woven into everything I do. I get to be a part of the life journeys of so many inspiring individuals, including patients, students, residents, and fellow faculty, and collaborate with extraordinary colleagues as we work to help people lead healthier lives – that is incredibly rewarding,” she said.