A Conversation with Dr. Jane Liebschutz

“My purpose in life is to help other people achieve their potential.”

Bio

Jane Liebschutz, MD, is the UPMC Endowed Chair of Translational Medicine and Research, the Chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine, a Professor of Medicine with Tenure, and the Director of the Center for Research on Health Care at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Liebschutz is a primary care internist whose clinical practice focuses on the care of underserved populations, with a special interest in caring for patients who have experienced the triad of trauma, pain, and substance misuse. Her research focuses on violence, mental health, and intervention to combat the current crisis in opioid use disorders. Dr. Liebschutz has a strong interest in faculty development and physician workforce diversity and she is dedicated to promoting, mentoring, and supporting underrepresented minority trainees. Dr. Liebschutz also directs a physician wellness initiative and has conducted research in the field of physician burnout.

What were some of the values communicated to you early on in your life?

“My mother was a role model for me,” Dr. Liebschutz began. “She was a political science professor and her PhD work was looking at voting and political aspirations of Black inner-city children in Rochester, New York. Understanding differences, social justice issues and awareness of power differential were some things that I learned from her. Both my parents were very civically minded and volunteered on many community organizations.” Together, they served as role models for being involved in the world.

Other important influences in Dr. Liebschutz’s childhood included involvement in her synagogue, youth group, and her Jewish High School. Her Rabbi was someone who was actively involved in working with various Black churches, where she was able to witness some of racial tensions of her day.

She also had the opportunity to interact with some who were from a more vulnerable place in society, including those with physical disabilities. These interactions and others helped Dr. Liebschutz to understand how privileged she was.

Can you talk to us a little bit about the international experiences that you have had?

“I went to China when I was a junior in college between semesters. That was a time well before it was common for Westerners to be in China. China had these security zones where you were allowed to go and weren’t allowed to go as a foreigner. It was a really different time. It was very interesting and opened my eyes to different ways of living and being.”

Following this experience, Dr. Liebschutz spent time in Taiwan for a year after college doing some public health work. Then, in medical school she studied Spanish, even doing a rotation in Guatemala. Again, this helped her see life from a fresh vantage point as she observed how people of a different culture viewed the medical community.

What were some of the challenges you faced as a young physician?

Being a high-achiever, one can see how the work and life balance is a constant tension Dr. Liebschutz needs to manage. As she explains, “Part of my gift is being open and really interested in a lot of things, but part of the curse of that is that making boundaries is sometimes hard.”

For example, she found it difficult to find the balance between working long hours while maintaining a healthy lifestyle when she was home. This is where physical exercise, practicing Yoga, and interacting with friends was very helpful.

What is your personal philosophy of mentorship and success?

“My purpose in life is to help other people achieve their potential,” Dr. Liebschutz stated. “Everybody has things that drive them, but that is something that has continued to drive me professionally and I think about it for my patients. I think in the addiction work that I do, I try to help people achieve their potential. The goal of the mentor is to help their mentee achieve their best potential.”

When it comes to success, Dr. Liebschutz believes each definition is subjective and personal. “One way you could look at success is getting to a top ranked medical school and a top ranked residency and a top ranked fellowship. There are no external markers of success. Some people want to make a lot of money. Other people want to help a patient or write a grant.” Dr. Liebschutz believes it is the mentors job to help their mentee figure out which path they should take. She notes, “I see myself and an opportunity to mentor and really find the goodness and the strength in each person and help them maximize those strengths.”

What are some habits that you have found effective in your interaction with patients?

“I always try to find some positive way of regarding a patient,” Dr. Liebschutz reflected. “I do a lot of addiction work and I meet people who are pretty much completely down and out. They live on the street. They’re injecting heroin. They’re selling themselves for drugs. They’re not taking care of themselves. And I always try to find something in them that I admire, and I name it with them. And I always ask them about their hopes and dreams, or what they’re most proud of in their life.”

This simple act helps her establish a sense of trust with the people she interacts and it helps them view their lives from a more positive perspective.

Pearls of Wisdom

1. If you’ve made it this far in medicine, you’re already a success. Instead of having anxiety about the future, rely on your past successes to motivate you for more success in the future.
2. Keep an open mind. When you realize that not everyone thinks the way you do, you can have more open and honest conversations, and develop new perspectives.
3. Instead of fixing your weaknesses, a mentor should help you identify and enhance your areas of strength.