Being Honest When Life Gets Complicated with Dr. Jennifer Swails

Jennifer Swails, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, the Co-Director of Interprofessional Education, and Program Director of the internal medicine residency program at McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Dr. Swails received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Davidson College, and her M.D. from Weill Cornell. She then completed residency training in internal medicine and primary care at Brigham and Women's Hospital and joined the faculty at UT Houston in 2012. Dr. Swails has received numerous awards for teaching and patient care, including the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, the Dupont Master Clinical Teaching Award, and the John P. McGovern Outstanding Teaching Award. Often in Dr. Jennifer Swails’ career, she struggled with feeling like she had to choose between being smart or likeable. Today, we learn that it’s okay to be both. It works to our benefit to express when we’re facing difficulty, and we need to be honest when life gets complicated. Dr. Swails’ best advice for students and residents is to be honest when we need help. She advises us to look for the mentors who will provide a safe space for us to express our concerns and struggles. And in the end, it’s that honesty and vulnerability that will lead to a greater reward. Pearls of Wisdom: 1. As Glennon Doyle stated: Disappoint everyone in the world, but not yourself. When we’re honest with ourselves, we may take the risk of disappointing a few other people—but it’s important not to let ourselves down. 2. Lower the stakes when it comes to mentorships: It’s not always so formal. Ask a mentor if you can simply shadow them for a few hours, or talk to them about what they do. It will go a long way and make a big impact on you. 3. Have an attitude of resiliency throughout your career. The key qualities of a great residence are having a deep sense of purpose.