Last Friday, DFPM colleagues and partners gathered to celebrate the closing of an important era in the department with the retirement of Jennifer Leiser, MD.
For many years, Dr. Leiser has been a leadership and administrative force in the department, advancing vital initiatives, providing support for decades of medical residents in the program, and supporting and defining the department’s missions. She was the inaugural Chief when the department formed the Division of Family Medicine in 2008, and has served in that capacity since. Under her leadership the division has secured a reputation for educational and clinical excellence known throughout Utah and beyond.
At the retirement party, those positively affected by Dr. Leiser’s leadership and guidance praised her dedication, kindness, and vision. Official celebratory remarks were given by Department Chair Kola Okuyemi, MD, MPH, Administrative Director Holly Bynum, MBA, and incoming Division Chief of Family Medicine Bernadette Kiraly, MD.
Praise for Dr. Leiser was not limited to the retirement party. Michael Magill, PhD, Chair Emeritus of the department, added his own accolades when asked about Dr. Leiser’s impact and legacy:
Dr. Jennifer Leiser? No drama. Plainly competent. Straight talker. Outstanding doctor worthy of trust. So caring and knowledgeable. Clear about what she can do and what she expects of herself, patients, colleagues. I can always count on her to tell me what I need to know, not just what I want to hear. Expects responsibility. Always looks forward. “Here are the facts.” “Here is how we will implement our next step in fair, transparent, predictable compensation.” “Try it for a month before you complain.” Master gardener. Amazing cook and hostess. Amazing family. World traveler, walking across Britain and Oregon, follow her on Facebook.
Jennifer nurtured a terrific clinical team and practice as medical director at Sugarhouse. When we needed a new Family Medicine Division Chief, she said to me, “I can do that as well as anyone else we have seen.” She was right. Her work was never about her, but about creating conditions for others to thrive, about enabling success for so many superb clinicians, teachers, leaders, and scholars, and for the programs and clinical practices in her division and in the department. Everything she did was in plain sight, but in a sense, we also never saw her hands move. That’s leadership. That’s magic.
Thanks for all you have done for so many, Jennifer, and all the best wishes for your next phase of life growing in a rich and full retirement!
Although she is retiring from her role in the department, Dr. Leiser will continue to provide support and insight for many important initiatives here in Utah and in Oregon.