Faculty Member Jennifer S. Kriegler, MD, Retires

After 17 years with Cleveland Clinic, Jennifer S. Kriegler, MD, is retiring. A nationally known headache physician and researcher, Dr. Kriegler directs the Headache Medicine Fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. She also is an Associate Professor of Neurology, Director of Team Based Care 3 Neuroscience Clerkship and Chair of Physician Advisors with the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University. Dr. Kriegler has been recognized as one of the Best Doctors in America every year since 1998. She won the Neurological Institute Educator of the Year in 2008 and the Kaiser Permanente Award for clinical teaching in 2019. A consummate educator and clinician, she leaves a lasting imprint on her students, patients and colleagues.

We invite you to learn more about Dr. Kriegler through this short interview:

What sparked your interest in medical education?
I have always loved being able to explain things in a logical, easy-to-understand manner, so teaching was a natural extension. It became formalized when my abilities were recognized by my former chair at University Hospitals when he asked me to become the Neurology residency director. I was hooked! I loved working with the residents and students.

What is one thing about your educator career that you imagine you’ll miss the most?
All my residents, fellows and students. I learn as much from them as they learn from me.

As you reflect on your educator career, what’s one highlight that you would like to share?
There are so many! The successes of my students, residents and fellows make me proud. So many have gone on to match to fabulous programs and subsequently become chairs of departments, and residency and fellowship directors. Their success is my success.

What are your thoughts on the impact of medical education?
Teaching and medical education are a labor of love. We do it because it is our passion. As physicians, we can treat a patient, but as educators, we can treat thousands more. Our students are our legacy. They carry on the good work and hopefully will become passionate about educating the next generation.