Jennifer Swails, MD, FACP

Associate Professor, General Internal Medicine
McGovern Medical School
UTHealth Houston

Email:  Jennifer.L.Swails@uth.tmc.edu
Phone:  713-500-6714

Educational Philosophy

My approach to education hinges on enthusiasm, intrinsic motivation, and relevance. I believe in fostering enthusiasm through engaging activities tailored to students’ interests, which has proven effective in various educational settings. My involvement in interprofessional education has been fulfilling, particularly in developing simulations and securing grants to enhance patient care and learning outcomes. Flexibility is vital, especially in graduate medical education, where I prioritize residents’ needs, adapting to challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, I’ve learned the importance of structure, implementing mentorship programs and clear expectations to support growth. These principles—enthusiasm, flexibility, and structure—have been fundamental to my work in medical education, driving continuous improvement in teaching and learning.

Biography

Dr. Swails received her bachelor’s in science degree in biology from Davidson College and her doctorate in medicine from Weill Cornell Medical College.  She completed residency training in internal medicine and primary care at Brigham and Women’s hospital and joined the faculty of the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) in 2012.  She currently serves as Program Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program and is Co-Director of Interprofessional Education at UTHealth.  She has received numerous awards for teaching and patient care, including the “Top Doctor” award from Houstonia magazine.

Education

• Medical Degree
  Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY

• Residency
  Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA

Board Certifications

American Board of Internal Medicine
American Board of Medical Quality

Publications

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Jennifer+Swails