Member of the Month: Jennifer Nordhauser, MD, MPH

After completing a joint medical degree and public health program at the UT San Antonio Long School of Medicine, Jennifer Nordhauser, MD, MPH, headed to New Mexico for her family medicine residency training. After that, a hospice and palliative care fellowship at UT Dell led her to the UT Dell Family Medicine Residency Program, where she now serves as faculty and a practicing physician at the CommUnityCare Southeast Health and Wellness Center. Beyond her clinical and academic work, Nordhauser also serves as chair of the Texas Medical Association Young Physician Section and previously served as editor-in-chief of the Texas Family Medicine Research Journal.

Who or what inspired you to become a family physician?
My main role models in medicine growing up in Austin and going to UT were family physicians. Furthermore, when I went to medical school and loved everything, I knew that I wanted a career that would allow me to treat anyone "from womb to tomb" and engage in population health beyond the clinic or hospital walls. Family medicine was a perfect fit for these goals. 

What are your practice passions? 
I am passionate about incorporating palliative principles into primary care, including communication skills, symptom management, and discussions of goals of care in the context of someone's chronic diseases. I also love teaching and introducing medical students and residents to family medicine through both precepting and shadowing. Finally, I am always seeking ways to improve the quality and efficacy of my practice, so I enjoy quality improvement and research projects in collaboration with my students, residents, and peers. 

You were involved with launching the Texas Family Medicine Research Journal last year and previously served as editor-in-chief. How did you get involved with the project and what does the journal hope to accomplish?
My colleague Larry Kravitz, MD, had the original inspiration for a family medicine research journal in Texas and conducted the original needs assessment. After building quite the case that we lack this avenue for research for family medicine attendings and trainees, he brought up the idea to me and offered the editor-in-chief role since I had enthusiasm and prior research and publishing experience. I jumped at the opportunity to further research among our community. 

Together, we built up an editorial board, recruiting members of our local TAFP chapter, Heart of Texas, as well as family medicine attendings, students, and residents from around the state. With Larry as the associate editor-in-chief, Katharina Hathaway, MD, as managing editor, and Tim Heintz as our principal student editor, the journal has flourished over the past year and guided authors through the editing process. Moving forward, we will continue to cultivate and circulate Texas-based family medicine research throughout the state and create a space where newer authors can receive guidance throughout the editing process if needed. 

As a new physician, what has surprised you most about family medicine?
I am frequently surprised by the breadth of what we can do for all our patients as family physicians in the urban setting. After training in a rural area, I thought that moving back to a metropolis would limit my ability to practice procedures, advance care planning and palliative care, women's health, and more, but my faculty team has shown me that we can utilize all of our training to address the needs of our patients. 

Why do you choose to be a TAFP member?
I enjoy serving my colleagues and patients through advocacy and continuing medical education, so TAFP was a natural fit for these interests and to build connections around the state. I started attending TAFP meetings as a medical student and instantly was hooked! 

What do you enjoy doing outside of medicine?
Crochet, drawing, running, board games, escape rooms, cooking, traveling, and spending time with family, especially my six-month-old nephew, Jack! 

TAFP’s Member of the Month program highlights Texas family physicians in TAFP News Now and on the TAFP website. We feature a biography and a Q&A with a different TAFP member each month and his or her unique approach to family medicine. If you know an outstanding family physician colleague who you think should be featured as a Member of the Month or if you’d like to tell your own story, nominate yourself or your colleague by contacting TAFP by email at tafp@tafp.org or by phone at (512) 329-8666.