Meet Jennifer Gold, MD, FAAP, new vice dean for Education

Jennifer Gold, MD, FAAP, has joined The Ohio State University College of Medicine as vice dean for Education, bringing a wealth of experience in academic medicine and a passion for shaping the next generation of health professionals. Most recently, she served as senior dean of both the School of Medicine and the School of Health Professions at Baylor College of Medicine, where she led major initiatives in curriculum innovation and accreditation. In this Q&A, Dr. Gold shares what excites her most about coming back to Ohio State, her vision for medical education and a few personal insights as she begins this new chapter.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role as you get started?

I am most excited about meeting all the people, the students and the residents and staff and faculty and alumni. I just can't wait to really get into the job and meet who I'm going to be working with.

Do you have a favorite Ohio State memory or tradition?

My favorite memories are definitely football games, and I can't wait to go back to more football games. I remember game day with all my friends, walking to the stadium. And I still have some of the merchandise I bought, like a Buckeye necklace. So, game day is super exciting, and I’m really looking forward to that.

I also have really fond memories of the Biological Sciences Building. I was part of the organization called Helix, the Biological Sciences Honorary, and I remember good meetings and doing events with my fellow students as part of Helix, and being mentored by the incredible faculty here. So I have just really fun memories of the Bio Sci building and learning there and extracurricular activities there. It was definitely very formative in solidifying what I wanted to do with my career.

What excites you about coming back to Ohio State?

I just remember how many opportunities there were at Ohio State, even just for an undergrad, so I'm eager to be able to share some of those opportunities with current and prospective students. I’m excited to share with them all the wonderful things that Ohio State has to offer, because it was an amazing place for me. I really found myself here and what I wanted to do. So, I'm really looking forward to learning about everything that's here now, and helping other people find their way, too.

What inspired you to pursue medicine, and what keeps you passionate about it today?

I loved science. I loved biology. I had some great teachers in high school, and then of course, I had some great teachers when I came to Ohio State. I really loved the fact that I knew that I would be learning for the rest of my life, and that's actually one of the reasons why I chose academic medicine. I knew that by being around students and residents, I would have to keep on my toes, and I would always keep learning. So that's one of the things that really excites me about medicine, is that there's always something new, or as soon as we think we have the plan, something new is discovered. In addition, when I was starting out, I focused on adolescent medicine, and I loved working with teenagers and their families and found that work very rewarding.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to do old-school scrapbooking. I like using my hands, and the cutting and placing things on paper, for me, is very calming and kind of therapeutic. I feel like I'm creating memories for my kids to have someday.

I love going to music concerts, reading and going to theater. I’m a huge, huge Disney fan and love everything Disney.

When I was in Houston, I completed a whole set of improv classes at Station Theater, and I did some improv comedy with a troupe there. So maybe I will look for something like that here once I'm settled.

What would you like students, faculty and staff to know as you get started?

I'm really approachable, and I really do want to hear people's ideas — what’s been working well and maybe what they are hoping for improvements in. I think people will learn I'm very nice and very friendly, but I do have high expectations and high standards. This role excites me because I know that we're doing amazing things in the College of Medicine, but I know that we can always go to higher heights. Part of the goal over time is figuring out where we can make an even bigger name for ourselves in medical education and health professions education, and that's really where my North Star is.