Grant Flindt, M.D.

What this award means: Some of my most formative experiences in medical school have involved caring for older adults, including volunteering with the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), participating in the Medical Students for Aging Research (UT-MSTAR) program, and completing a rotation on the Eisenberg Geriatric Medicine Service. I am deeply grateful for these experiences and the lessons they provided. Receiving this award is a tremendous honor and a meaningful recognition of the mentors, patients, and opportunities that have shaped my commitment to caring for older adults.

Mentor comment: From Grant’s earliest experiences working as a certified nursing assistant in a memory care unit, he has cared deeply about delivering high-quality care to older adults. His dedication to advancing their care, coupled with a sincere compassion for others, will undoubtedly make him an exceptional physician. – Deborah Freeland, M.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine

Background and family: I grew up just outside of Seattle, in Sammamish, Washington. I am happily married to my wife of five years, and we have two beautiful, energetic daughters, ages 2 and 6 months.

College: I attended Brigham Young University and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry with a minor in gerontology.

What led to your career path: My desire to practice medicine was shaped by early experiences caring for older adults in assisted living facilities. Helping residents with dementia showed me the impact of thoughtful, compassionate care. In medical school, I joined the Geriatrics Interest Group and learned that good medicine requires understanding each patient’s goals, functional status, and quality of life. These experiences reinforced my desire to pursue internal medicine, where I can build long-term relationships and take a comprehensive approach to managing complex conditions.

UTSW activities: I volunteered with the Hospital Elder Life Program my first year and have remained involved with the Geriatrics Interest Group. I have also assisted with the annual community health fair, Carnaval de Salud, and pursued my interest in healthcare improvement through the Quality Improvement (QI) and Patient Safety Distinction pathway, including serving in leadership roles within the QI Interest Group.

What words describe your UTSW experience: Improving care for older adults, community engagement, personalized mentorship, and patient-centered care.

One tip for medical school success: I was most successful when I focused on my passions. Concentrating on two to three areas of genuine interest increases productivity.

Favorite way to relieve stress: Nothing helps me relax more than spending time outdoors with my daughters – we love going to the park together! I also enjoy board games and participating in a variety of intramural sports.

Surprising fact: Throughout undergraduate and medical school, I helped organize more than 40 intramural sports teams, including in basketball, volleyball, kickball, ultimate frisbee, pickleball, and tennis.

Future plans: I will soon begin my residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education in Rochester, Minnesota. My goal is to lead QI initiatives for older adults in the hospital setting.

About the award: The Sulkin-Schein Award recognizes a medical student who has demonstrated compassion, keen interest, and commitment to the care of older adults. The award is named in honor of Mrs. Schein, a longtime supporter of UT Southwestern who bequeathed funds to promote geriatrics as a career path for medical students. She died in 2007 at the age of 89.