Family Medicine Faculty Spotlight: Jennifer Budd, DO
Jennifer Budd, DO, has been faculty in the University of Minnesota St. John's Hospital Family Medicine Residency since 2016. She is the current medical director at M Health Fairview Clinic - Phalen Village. She practiced full-spectrum family medicine for 10 years in North St. Paul, MN. During that time, she was also a family medicine community preceptor at the University of Minnesota Physicians Bethesda Family Medicine Clinic. Her current interests and projects include a medication reconciliation process in the ambulatory setting, standard approach to pediatric obesity, and developing the OMM curriculum for the St. John's residency program with an emphasis on treatments used in the office setting.
What brings you joy in practicing your specialty and why?
Practicing family medicine brings me joy because it allows me to build meaningful, long-term relationships with my patients and their families. I love caring for multiple generations from the same family at all stages of life, and it gives me a unique perspective on their health, values, and experiences.
Getting to know patients as individuals, hearing their stories, and being part of their lives over time is deeply fulfilling. I also find purpose in helping them navigate an often complex healthcare system, ensuring their care is personalized, coordinated, and compassionate. Family medicine gives me the privilege of being both a clinician and a trusted partner in my patients’ lifelong health journeys.
Why did you choose family medicine?
I chose family medicine because I love the clinical variety it offers. Every day and through every patient interaction something new can arise. I love that I see many areas of medicine in just one day (dermatology, mental health, cardiology, gynecology and obstetrics, and pediatrics). I’m passionate about preventive care, and I find it rewarding to partner with patients in developing healthy habits and lifestyle changes that support long-term wellness. In primary care, there’s a unique opportunity to make an impact before illness or injury occurs, and I value being able to help patients take proactive steps toward living healthier and fuller lives.
What advice would you give to yourself as a physician just starting out?
My advice to a physician just starting out in practice would be to stay curious and humble with your patients, yourself, and the practice of medicine in general. Medicine is a lifelong learning process, and it’s okay not to have all the answers right away. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, seek mentorship, and lean on your team. Also, stay on top of your documentation and in-basket tasks. It’s never worth getting behind!
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I love spending time with my family. My husband and I have four incredible kids who keep me busy with their various activities and sporting events. We also love to travel together whenever we can. Personally, I enjoy cycling, both on the road and on my stationary bike. I enjoy a good book, and I am always interested in what others may be reading. And most recently, I’ve started learning to play the piano, which has been a fun and rewarding new challenge.
What are your key messages when teaching residents clinical care?
Being an effective family physician means finding the balance between caring for individual patients and working within a healthcare system. You can deliver truly patient-centered care and meet efficiency, productivity, and quality goals. It's not an either/or. Learning to find that balance supports better outcomes for patients and a more sustainable, satisfying career for physicians.
What are you particularly proud of as you consider your clinical career so far?
I’m especially proud that I’ve continued to practice full-spectrum family medicine in the community where I grew up. Serving patients at Phalen Village Clinic—just a mile from my childhood home—has allowed me to give back to the community that shaped me. It’s deeply meaningful to care for multiple generations of families in a familiar neighborhood.
What do you hope to achieve in the years to come?
In the next few years, I want to continue to contribute as an engaged faculty member at the St. John’s Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program as I work collaboratively with my colleagues in teaching, quality improvement, and clinical care. I’m passionate about supporting both our educational mission and the delivery of high-quality patient care. I want to keep an environment that fosters safe and open dialogue regarding tensions that can be seen in clinical care with balancing budgets, quality improvement, and patient needs that can be even more challenging in an academic setting. I want to help demonstrate that many goals can be achieved through teamwork, innovation, and a shared commitment to excellence in medical education and clinical practice. By doing this, we can continue to make a positive impact on the community we serve.
