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John Fitzgerald, M.D.: 30 years

Smiling man with short gray hair and glasses, wearing a white UT Southwestern Lab coat over a green shirt, and print tie.
John Fitzgerald, M.D.

Professor
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine

First UTSW job: I was hired directly out of fellowship as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.

Best part about my job: I enjoy the variety of experience from day to day. The types of challenges I face in the clinic are quite different from what I see in the ICU or the pulmonary consultation service. It’s the same with my educational duties. Teaching one-on-one with an intern or fellow has a certain intimacy about it, but other times I get to teach small groups in the ICU, or large groups at divisional, departmental, or national conferences. No two days are the same, and I love that about my job.

How co-workers describe me: Knowledgeable and trustworthy.

Most unusual UTSW memory: As a first-day intern at the old Parkland Memorial Hospital in July 1989, my resident showed me how to use a defibrillator. That was my “welcome to Parkland” moment.

My proudest UTSW accomplishment: I am most proud of my role in educating interns, residents, and fellows over three decades at UT Southwestern. My primary goal has been to be a model for good patient care and to teach young physicians a method of teaching themselves so they can become the doctors they are capable of being. I also began the Interstitial Lung Disease Program at UT Southwestern, one of the first in the state.

Hobbies: Growing in and living my Catholic faith to the best of my ability is the most important aspect of my life. I have a close relationship with a parish in Piura, Peru, called Santisimo Sacramento, where I take annual medical mission trips with friends and family. I am passionate about improving the lives of the poorest people there to the extent that I’m able.

Claim to fame: My three amazing children – Ryan, Brendan, and Jenna – are my only claims to fame. I thank my wife, Joy, for how they turned out.

Final note: I have been Parkland-based for most of my professional career. It has really been the greatest honor of my life to be part of a system that is able to deliver such incredible cutting-edge medical care to the people of Dallas County, some of whom are from quite vulnerable populations.


Endowed Title

Dr. Fitzgerald holds the Elaine Dewey Sammons Chair in Pulmonary Research, in Honor of John E. Fitzgerald, M.D.

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