Obituary
Jean M. Jackson, MD, Department of Medicine
BWH mourns the loss of Jean M. Jackson, MD, the hospital’s first female staff rheumatologist and a respected teacher, physician and friend in the Department of Medicine. She died Jan. 31 after a battle with cancer.
“Throughout her long career, Dr. Jackson was admired for her unconditional dedication to all patients, regardless of their circumstances, and for her boundless energy and skills at bedside teaching,” said Joseph Loscalzo, MD, PhD, chairman of the Department of Medicine.
In recognition of her dedication to teaching, the Department of Medicine honored her with the Lifetime Achievement in Medical Education Award in 2005. At the award ceremony, Dr. Jackson advised her colleagues to “enjoy what you do. If you enjoy interacting with young doctors and guiding them to solve problems, it becomes part of your existence.”
She was devoted to the education of medical students and young physicians, mentored and guided their development and served as a significant role model for all. The Department of Medicine will honor her exemplary teaching legacy by inaugurating the Jean M. Jackson Distinguished Bed-Side Teacher Award.
Dr. Jackson came to BWH in 1970 for a rheumatology fellowship at the Robert Breck Brigham Hospital. She graduated from the University of Maryland Medical School as one of only five females in her class and completed her residency there. After her fellowship, she returned to Maryland to serve as chief medical resident and subsequently served on the faculty at that institution.
In 1975, she joined BWH as the first female staff rheumatologist, specializing in both pediatric and adult rheumatology. She also was the first woman to serve as a General Medicine Service attending physician and do morning report, activities that previously had been the exclusive domain of senior, respected male physicians.
In 2005, she received the Arthritis Foundation’s Marian Ropes Physician Achievement Award for her extraordinary contributions to the lives of patients affected by arthritis.
Dr. Jackson is survived by her mother Iria; a brother John; a sister in-law Debbie; a niece and nephews; and many devoted patients and friends. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Old South Church at 645 Boylston St. or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.