Abstract: Dr. Jessie Voit, the 2025 HPSA Advisor of the Year (Public University) and a geriatrician at the University of Texas Southwestern, shares her journey into medicine, her passion for geriatrics, and her philosophy on training the next generation of healthcare professionals. This conversation with Emil Chuck of the Health Professional Student Association offers advice and inspiration for aspiring doctors, emphasizing the importance of compassion, adaptability, and lifelong learning.
A Journey into Geriatrics
Dr. Voit’s path to medicine began with a love for math and science, but it was the clinical applications that truly captivated her. “I was always really interested in math and science, and I found that when I was an undergraduate, the courses that got me really excited were some of the clinical applications in organic chemistry, chemistry, and biology. So that pushed me toward the medical pathway.”
A pivotal moment came on her first day of medical school: “On my first day of med school, I was assigned a mentor… mine happened to be a geriatrician. So throughout med school, I got exposed to some of the principles of geriatrics and really the art and the humanity of practicing medicine through the lens of a geriatrician.” Her passion for caring for older adults grew during residency, leading her to pursue a fellowship in geriatrics.
Highlighting Geriatrics for Future Physicians
Dr. Voit is a strong advocate for integrating geriatrics into all fields of medicine. “Geriatric medicine is something that’s incorporated into all fields of medicine… educating students, educating physicians is a real passion of mine, to make sure all adults are getting Age Friendly Care, regardless of if they’re under the care of a geriatrician.”
She founded a branch of the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) at UT Southwestern, which uses undergraduate volunteers to engage and support hospitalized older adults.
“In this program, the students are volunteers in the hospital, really engaging patients, helping, you know, keep them cognitively stimulated, socially engaged… But it’s also meant to help the students. This is a foot in the door to see life in the hospital.”
Since 2018, the program has grown from fewer than 20 students to 62 active volunteers. “It is a rigorous process. We actually have interviews because we want to make sure we don’t expand beyond our bandwidth. But my hope is, as we continue to grow, as we have more institutional support… we have even more students.” The program is open to students of all clinical interests, not just pre-meds. “Anyone can apply, you know, for our program, regardless of clinical interest… It’s meant to help people find their path and find what they’re interested in, and give them some skills that I think are universal, regardless of the field.”
Essential Qualities for Aspiring Healthcare Providers
Dr. Voit identifies several key attributes for future physicians:
- Responsibility: “Medicine comes with high responsibility. So being able to manage your schedule, owning your mistakes, looking to improve yourself, so not being defensive, but being welcoming of feedback or of ways to improve yourself.”
- Compassion and Communication: “Having those good communication skills goes a long way with patients. It’s not enough to say the right thing. You have to be heard. They have to know what you want them to do. They have to agree with the treatment plan and believe it as well.”
- Hard Work and Discipline: “It’s a journey to become a doctor, and then even once you’re there, it’s a lot of hard work to stay there, so you have to have that discipline and hard work as well.”
Addressing Bias and Embracing Diversity
Dr. Voit encourages students to recognize and address bias, including ageism. “There’s a lot of bias in medicine…there’s also a lot of bias in regards to age. And one of the things I really try to hit home with our students is that age is a number, and there’s a lot of heterogeneity to aging.” She also emphasizes the importance of understanding disability and optimizing function for each patient. “We care a lot about function. In geriatrics, we talk about how we can optimize function…if you’re thinking about it in the context of disability, how can we optimize right? So if someone does have something that is limiting them, what can we do as a field to optimize, to give as much independence…”
Navigating Ethics and Cultural Sensitivity
Ethical dilemmas are a reality in medicine, often without clear-cut answers. “In real life, in medicine, there’s so much gray, there’s often not an only choice. It’s what’s the best choice, or what seems the most appropriate, given the circumstance.” Cultural sensitivity and religious diversity are integral to patient-centered care. “I do think this is somewhere where medical schools are continuing to improve, incorporating it into education…religion is part of that social history, because I think it’s part of their story, and what makes them who they are, and that also can play into how they cope with or deal with medical challenges.”
Mentorship: Shaping the Next Generation
Dr. Voit reflects on the responsibilities and rewards of mentoring: “Mentoring undergraduate pre-health students is very different than mentoring residents who are just about to graduate and be on their own… I think, as a mentor, we also have a huge obligation to demonstrate the humanity within medicine.” She advises students to seek mentors who are genuinely invested in their growth: “You want someone who is able to be there for you. I think a mentor might be someone who has similar clinical interests. Another mentor might be someone who has a similar background. Come with your list of needs, your list of questions, your To Do list so they can advise you.”
Choosing Medical Schools and Training Programs
Dr. Voit went to UT Southwestern for its unique college system, which fostered a sense of community within a large institution, and for its diverse clinical opportunities across university, county, and VA hospitals. She received excellent mentoring during her residency at the University of Michigan and her subsequent fellowship back in Dallas.
Dr. Voit emphasizes the importance of maintaining interests outside of medicine. “For undergraduate students, I always tell them each semester, take something that is completely non-science. It could be art history, it could be economics, it could be a language, but try to broaden your horizons beyond science. It’ll keep you interesting.” She shares her own hobbies: “I’ve always loved baking, and I also love hiking. My husband and I enjoy going to Yosemite and Yellowstone; now that we have young children, traveling is a little harder, and so I’m trying to learn the crochet, the woogles, the little animals that you sew.”
Final Reflections
Dr. Jessie Voit’s journey and insights offer invaluable guidance for aspiring doctors. Her dedication to geriatrics, commitment to education, and holistic approach to patient care exemplify the qualities of an outstanding physician and mentor.
Aspiring doctors can draw inspiration from Dr. Voit’s example, recognizing that excellence in medicine is not just about scientific knowledge, but about humanity, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to improving the lives of others.
Takeaways – Advice for Aspiring Doctors
1. Consider Geriatrics: Caring for older adults is relevant to all medical specialties. Understanding the unique needs of this population improves patient care across the board.
2. Mentorship Matters: Seek mentors who are invested in your growth, and be proactive in the mentor-mentee relationship. Mentors can shape your career and personal development.
3. Embrace Responsibility and Compassion: Medicine requires responsibility, self-improvement, and strong communication skills. Compassion and rapport with patients are as important as clinical knowledge.
4. Recognize and Address Bias: Be aware of biases, including ageism and assumptions about disability. Treat each patient as an individual and strive for inclusive, personalized care.
5. Cultural Sensitivity and Ethics: Understand the role of culture, religion, and ethics in healthcare decisions. Open communication and interdisciplinary collaboration are key to navigating complex situations.
6. Balance and Well-being: Maintain interests and hobbies outside of medicine to stay balanced and prevent burnout. A well-rounded life supports resilience and personal fulfillment.
Acknowledgments
A generative AI tool helped to summarize highlights from the interview and suggested an initial draft of this article. Some quotes have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Dr. Voit is just the best! Thank you.? Wish you were in Charleston! 🙏