After three years in college, Dr. Jason Lin entered medical school eager to serve in the UT Southwestern community. As Pritchard College Senator and then Class President, he helped build a close-knit community for his peers, managed a Dallas free clinic, and organized student-run vaccine clinics and volunteer efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now a physician, his next stage will be completing an internal medicine residency at UT Health Houston.

Jason Lin, M.D.

What this award means: I’m thankful to have had the chance to lead such an amazing class of medical students. Working with each and every one of my peers has been rewarding, and I can confidently say that I am a better person today thanks to my classmates. I’m honored to be recognized for the hundreds of hours I have dedicated to making UT Southwestern a better place for students and patients.

Mentor comment: Not only did Jason serve his class well during their time in medical school as a strong advocate and leader, but he also went above and beyond organizing volunteer activities at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, including COVID-19 vaccine clinics during the height of the pandemic when students played an important role to support the front-line workers. His initiative, organizational skills, passion for service, and dedication to improving the lives of the community demonstrate why he is a perfect candidate for this award. – Angela Mihalic, M.D., Dean of Medical Students and Associate Dean for Student Affairs  

Background and family: I’m grateful to have been blessed with a warm and loving family. As the son of immigrants, I grew up valuing the American dream. With their encouragement, I have pursued my dreams and passions in hopes of helping those in need.

What led to your career path: My passion for medicine was sparked by my family’s struggles to access health care. I volunteered at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston for four years, completed clinical preceptorships in internal medicine, and managed a student-run free clinic in Dallas. As I listened to the stories of our patients, I realized what makes medicine beautiful is people. Not just the people who inspire me to discover cures or learn physiology, but also the people who guide and support me throughout my life – the people I will meet as I become a physician and the people I will heal.

College: I graduated with honors in biology from the Collegium V Honors Program at UT Dallas, where I was awarded a full-ride scholarship. In addition to conducting cutting-edge nanoscience research, I was team captain of five intramural basketball, volleyball, and soccer teams as a former varsity football linebacker. 

UTSW activities: On top of my leadership in student government, where I founded and led committees for wellness, student outreach, and social life, I mentored fellow UTSW medical students and college students at UT Dallas and Southern Methodist University. I developed UT Southwestern’s first hip database with over 1,500 patients and published four peer-reviewed articles. I also served as a volunteer and then an Agape free clinic manager, coordinating care for our low-income patients and training for our medical students.

Surprising fact: I graduated from William P. Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas, so it was a welcome surprise to then train here at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital.   

Ultimate career goal: My patients will always be my No. 1 priority. I’m excited for residency and whatever will come afterward, because I know I’ll get to work directly with patients.

Future plans: I’m thrilled to be headed back home to Houston to reunite with family and explore the Texas Medical Center. There’s so much I’m looking forward to in this next stage of my journey!

About the award: The Leadership Award annually goes to one or more student officers of the graduating class and includes a $1,000 award.