John Andersen ’66, M.D., retired in September 2021 after a pioneering career in the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas that lasted more than four decades and brought the UTSW program national recognition.
Dr. Andersen was also a committed educator and was named Professor Emeritus upon his retirement. “When I teach, I learn from my students,” he said in a recent UTSW article. “They are great at asking questions and keeping me on my toes, which makes me a better physician.”
Dr. Andersen was working in pediatrics when a gastroenterology research fellowship became available. He found he enjoyed the challenges of treating complex medical problems. He said he sometimes was the third or fourth doctor a family consulted with very complex medical problems and conditions. “I enjoy solving problems and seeing someone get better,” the doctor said. “That’s pretty validating.”