Drs. Abby Brehm and Jenny Ringqvist: MT “Pepper” Jenkins Outstanding Medical Student Award in Anesthesiology and Pain Management
By Valerie Garcia
Drs. Abby Brehm and Jenny Ringqvist’s friendship first sparked in medical school. When they both chose anesthesiology as their career path, their relationship deepened, and when both matched to UT Southwestern for their residencies, they were delighted. Now, Drs. Brehm and Ringqvist will share a prestigious honor.
They are the joint recipients of the MT “Pepper” Jenkins Outstanding Medical Student Award in Anesthesiology and Pain Management, which recognizes a student seeking a career in anesthesiology who had an exemplary performance in medical school, takes an empathetic approach to patient care, and exhibits the characteristics of leadership, scholarship, and thirst for knowledge exemplified by the award’s namesake.
The recognition is named for the late Dr. M.T. “Pepper” Jenkins, who established and served as Chairman of the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management from 1948 until 1981.
“During their rotations within the department, Abby and Jenny both demonstrated many of the fine attributes that were characteristic of Dr. Jenkins,” said Dr. Charles Whitten, Chairman of Anesthesiology and Pain Management. “They will change the lives of many people, both professionally and personally. They are extraordinary human beings and will leave a legacy that Dr. Jenkins would be very proud of as they grow and develop over the next four years. We are delighted to have both of them within our training program.”
Dr. Abby Brehm
She attended her first UT Southwestern Medical School lecture as a kindergartner, sitting alongside her father, Dr. David Brehm (Class of 1997), as he followed his dream of becoming a doctor. From there, she always knew she would pursue a career in medicine.
To satisfy her love of literature, she earned an undergraduate degree in English from UT Austin, juggling assignments between Ernest Hemingway and Organic Chemistry.
As a medical student, her interest in anesthesiology originated in the operating room. As she studied over the shoulders of surgeons, she says her curiosity drifted “to the other side of the surgical curtain” over time.
“I began hanging around the OR before surgeries, hoping to watch the anesthesiologists intubate, or to eavesdrop as they discussed anesthetic plans based on a patient’s specific co-morbidities and surgical procedure,” Dr. Brehm said. “I loved how adaptable the anesthesiologists were, as they could deal with an acute issue in a number of ways. They always had a Plan B, and even a Plan C.”
To further explore her curiosity, Dr. Brehm met with Dr. Whitten for a thorough discussion about choosing the path of anesthesiology. She says she was immediately impressed by his patience and sincerity.
“It has always been clear to me that Dr. Whitten views each medical student, resident, and faculty member as though they are family, for he genuinely cares about our wellbeing and truly believes in our bright futures,” Dr. Brehm said. “He is an amazing leader and I am honored to have him as my department Chairman now that I am joining the UT Southwestern Anesthesiology Residency Program.”
Dr. Jenny Ringqvist
A high school AP Biology class fostered her love for science. During her studies as a biology major at Texas A&M University, Dr. Ringqvist shadowed doctors, where she developed a fascination with medicine and patient care.
As a medical student, she volunteered to assist in an anesthesia research study under Dr. Jerry Green, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pain Management. The project introduced her to residents and faculty contacts throughout the department and the opportunity to work on a clinical research project from beginning to completion. She said the experience solidified two goals in her mind: to work in an academic setting and to become an anesthesiologist.
The first in her family to pursue a career in medicine, the McKinney native said her vision is to help people in a tangible way, such as through critical care in the ICU or traveling to developing countries to train local doctors in basic anesthesia.
“Anesthesiology is a unique field that combines multiple principles of medicine such as physiology, pharmacology, and many disease processes, while still allowing you to work with your hands,” Dr. Ringqvist said. “Anesthesiologists have the unique opportunity to use this knowledge to be the one to deliver this care.”
Dr. Ringqvist also credits her mentor, Dr. Aditee Ambardekar, Assistant Professor in Anesthesiology and Pain Management, as an inspiration and a role model.
“When I first became interested in anesthesia, I shadowed Dr. Ambardekar and I realized that she embodies everything that I want to be as a physician and a woman,” Dr. Ringqvist said. “She’s helped me in so many ways. It’s been awesome for me to have her in my life.”
