Dr. Jared Morphew – TAFP Dallas Chapter Outstanding Graduate Award

By Ryan Daugherty

Dr. Jared Morphew
Dr. Jared Morphew

During his third year at medical school, Dr. Jared Morphew set himself up for success by not limiting his opportunity to learn.

This valuable trait, along with his excellence in the classroom, are primary reasons why he was selected as the 2015 recipient of the TAFP Dallas Chapter Outstanding Graduate Award. The award includes a $500 scholarship from the Dallas chapter of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians Foundation.

Dr. Morphew will train in family medicine, an area he chose due to its variety and versatility, along with the opportunity to take care and connect with patients.

“I was that student who enjoyed every rotation and couldn’t see myself settling into a specialty that focused on one body system or one specific population group,” he said. “What I enjoyed most were the opportunities to build relationships with patients and get to know their history and their story over time.”

Originally from Texarkana, Dr. Morphew graduated in 2010 from the University of Arkansas, where he majored in biology with honors, and minored in chemistry and history. At UA, he made the Dean’s list and the Chancellor’s list every year. At UT Southwestern Medical School, he has been a part of many organizations, including United to Serve as an assistant director, Family Medicine Interest Group as a co-president, and the Texas Academy of Family Physicians as an appointee to the Commission of Academic Affairs.

For his budding medical career, he gives credit to four UT Southwestern mentors: Patti Pagels, Dr. Nora Gimpel, Dr. Biff Palmer, and Dr. Mary Elizabeth Paulk.

Ms. Pagels, who he worked with at the United Gospel Mission Clinics, inspired him through her hard work with the underserved and her interactions with patients. He described her as a person with a warm and personable bedside manner, a relaxed and effective teaching style, and a generous spirit.

Dr. Gimpel, Associate Professor of Family and Community Medicine, provided Dr. Morphew with a wonderful example of what a family doctor can be and has played a big role in his career decision.

“I have a strong interest in service and community health,” Dr. Morphew said. “Much of what I have accomplished, I owe to her support and guidance. She is a strong proponent of care for the underserved and continually inspires students to follow in her path.”

Dr. Palmer, Professor of Internal Medicine, has been his college mentor for the past four years, and through his kind and encouraging teaching methods, he has “infected” Dr. Morphew with a great depth of clinical knowledge.

As Director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program and the Program Director of the Palliative Care Fellowship Program, Dr. Paulk worked with Dr. Morphew during his internal medicine rotation and his palliative care service at Parkland Memorial Hospital.

“What struck me most about Dr. Paulk is her extraordinary bedside manner,” he said. “The ease and depth with which she develops a rapport with patients is remarkable and so inspirational to a budding clinician interested in strong physician-patient relationships.”

Dr. Morphew’s residency training will be at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth. He hopes to enter academic family medicine in addition to practicing primary care of the underserved, community health, and student and resident education. He is also considering completing his training in palliative care after his residency.