Q & A with Jennifer K. Readlynn, MD, FHM, adult hospitalist and clinician educator, University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry, Rochester, N.Y.
Whether it’s working with her clinical unit-based team, leading medical learners, interacting with patients and families, or sharing her knowledge with The Hospitalist’s editorial board, Dr. Readlynn enjoys people.
Connecting with patients, their families, and staff on our unit-based teams makes even the hardest situations a bit easier.
Dr. Readlynn
Q: Why did you choose a career in hospital medicine?
A: I really enjoy the team-based care in the hospital—working with residents or advanced practice professionals along with colleagues in nursing, pharmacy, social work, care coordination, and physical and occupational therapy
Q: What’s been your biggest success?
A: Professionally, having a leadership role in medical education has been incredible. My students keep me on my toes and teach me just as much as I teach them. They help me remember why I chose a career in medicine and keep the human side at the forefront.
Q: What challenges have you overcome?
A: Overcoming burnout has been tough. With all of the post-COVID-19 limitations on our health care system, it’s been tough to care for patients in ways and situations we don’t want to. However, the patients still need care and we have to adapt.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?
A: Hands down it’s the people. I work in a very supportive group and know we are all working to provide the best care possible for our patients. Connecting with patients, their families, and staff on our unit-based teams makes even the hardest situations a bit easier.
Q: Why did you join SHM?
A: I have many roles as part of my job but at the heart of it, I am a hospitalist. I joined because I love what I do and saw SHM as an organization meeting hospitalists’ unique needs. The connections I have made have been invaluable in my career development and there are so many resources to help me stay on top of the ever-changing knowledge in hospital medicine.
Q: Why did you become an editorial board member?
A: I had the fortune to work with the Journal of Hospital Medicine as a digital media fellow and learned how wonderfully supportive and inclusive SHM is in all of its outlets. The Hospitalist continues to provide a voice to hospitalists from all different backgrounds and resources with updates to the latest in patient care.
Q: What’s the first page you turn to when you get your copy of The Hospitalist?
A: I always like going to “In the Literature” for a quick update on what’s pertinent for practicing hospitalists.
Q: What’s your best piece of advice for new hospitalists?
A: Do your charting on the floors instead of running back to an office when you can. Get to know the other members of the care team and be present. Your patients and your nurses will appreciate it.
Q: What’s something someone would be surprised to know about you?
A: My last name is made up! My husband and I combined our middle names to make a new last name and avoid a Polish triple hyphenate.
Q: What do you wish the world knew about hospitalists?
A: How dedicated and hard-working we are. Earlier in my career, someone referred to hospitalists as “residents who didn’t want to grow up.” I think COVID-19 helped shatter that perception as hospitalists stepped in to take charge of the situation, but I think we still lack some of the respect we deserve in some cases.
Q: How do you stay motivated during stressful days?
A: Coffee break, debriefing with a friend, getting home to my kids
Dr. Readlynn is an adult hospitalist and clinician educator at the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry in Rochester, N.Y. She earned her medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C., and completed her residency at the University of Rochester–Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, N.Y.