WMAA LEADERSHIP TRANSITION
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VOLUME 23 • NUMBER 3 • 2021
FOR ALUMNI, FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STUDENTS OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH
SPIRIT OF INNOVATION
IN WAR ON CANCER p. 4
WHITE COATS AND
STETHOSCOPES p. 8
MEDIC’S 30TH
ANNIVERSARY p. 22
WMAA LEADERSHIP
TRANSITION
CELEBRATING PETERSON’S
TWO DECADES OF LEADERSHIP
AND WELCOMING ROTHSCHILD
TO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROLE
There’s More Online!
Visit med.wisc.edu/quarterly
QUARTERLY OCTOBER 2021
CA L ENDA R
The Magazine for Alumni, Friends,
Faculty and Students of the University of Wisconsin Friday, October 29, WMAA Board of Directors Meeting;*
School of Medicine and Public Health
and Saturday, October 30 Homecoming football game*
MANAGING EDITOR
Kris Whitman Virtual Class Reunions:
ART DIRECTOR Class of 1986:
Christine Klann Thursday, October 21, 7 pm CDT
PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHER Class of 1991:
John Maniaci Thursday, October 28, 7 pm CDT
Production Class of 1996:
Michael Lemberger Wednesday, October 27, 7 pm CDT
WISCONSIN MEDICAL Class of 2006:
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (WMAA) Thursday, October 14, 7 pm CDT
Class of 2011:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Thursday, October 28, 7 pm CDT
Karen S. Peterson
Class of 2016:
EDITORIAL BOARD Tuesday, October 26, 7 pm CDT
Patrick McBride, MD ’80, MPH, chair E X O F F IC IO ME MB E R S
Mathew Aschbrenner, MD ’06 Robert N. Golden, MD
Kathryn S. Budzak, MD ’69
Mark Fenlon, MD ’84, MBA
Andrea Larson
Karen S. Peterson NOVEMBER 2021
Christopher L. Larson, MD ’75 Jill Watson
Gwen McIntosh, MD ’96, MPH Kris Whitman Friday, November 19 Middleton Society Virtual Event
Patrick Remington, MD ’81, MPH
Peggy Scallon, MD ’92 Virtual Class Reunions:
Jonathan Temte, MD ’87
Class of 1976:
2021-2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Thursday, November 4, 7 pm CDT
OF F I CER S Abigail Taub, MD ’12
Mark Fenlon, MD ’84, MBA, president Sarah Tevis, MD ’10 (national) Class of 1981:
Kyla Lee, MD ’98, president-elect Maria Weber, MD ’88 Wednesday, November 3, 7 pm CDT
Susan Isensee, MD ’83, treasurer, Steven Wiesner, MD ’85 (national)
past president Ryan Wubben, MD ’97 Class of 2001:
Daniel Jackson, MD ’03, past president Robert Zemple, MD ’12 Tuesday, November 16, 7 pm CST
BOA R D M EM BER S B O A R D A D V IS O RY C O U NC IL
Mathew Aschbrenner, MD ’06 Karen Adler-Fischer, MD ’80
Mark Asplund, MD ’82 Kathryn S. Budzak, MD ’69
Scott Bassuener, MD ’07 Philip Farrell, MD, PhD * Event details are subject to change based on Centers for Disease
Meredith Cruz, MD ’05, MPH Donn Fuhrmann, MD ’76 Control and Prevention guidelines related to COVID-19 in this region.
Brian Hong, MD ’11 Kay Gruling, MD ’88
Tito Izard, MD ’96 Charles V. Ihle, MD ’65
Juliane Lee, MD ’94 (national) John Kryger, MD ’92
Rachel Loomans, MD ’09 Christopher L. Larson, MD ’75
Patrick McBride, MD ’80, MPH Ann Liebeskind, MD ’98
Gwen McIntosh, MD ’96, MPH Steve Merkow, MD ’80
Kathryn E. Nixdorf, MD ’06 (national) Sandra L. Osborn, MD ’70
Thomas Puetz, MD ’90 Ann Ruscher, MD ’91
Melissa Ricker, MD ’20 (resident)
Tina Sauerhammer, MD ’03 E X O F F IC IO ME MB E R S
Peggy Scallon, MD ’92 Robert N. Golden, MD
Karen S. Peterson
Connect with
Lisa Shen, MD ’10 (national)
Rom Stevens, MD ’82 (national) Jill Watson WMAA and
Soma Struck, MD ’08
John Tackett, MD ’11 (national)
Kris Whitman
Alumni on
Social Media
QUARTERLY is published four times a year by the
Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association (WMAA)
and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH)
For editorial information, call (608) 263-4613
For address corrections and to reach the WMAA, call (608) 263-4915 Please search for @uwmedalum
E-mail us at quarterly@med.wisc.edu
on Facebook and Instagram.
Visit us on the web at med.wisc.edu/quarterly
We look forward to your posts!
CON T E NTS
Q UA R T E R LY • VO LU M E 2 3 • N U M B E R 3
Visitors at the Memorial Union Terrace enjoy an unseasonably warm afternoon in late September 2021.
4 Spirit of
Innovation
On the 50th anniversary
8 White
Coats and
Stethoscopes
10
16
Alumni Notebook
Goodbye Dear Friends
of the National Cancer
Act, UW-Madison’s role in
Treasured fall 17 Healer’s Journey
traditions welcome
cancer research builds on the entering class of 18 Giving Back
history and remains pivotal. medical students.
20 Alumni Profile
22
10
Milestone
WMAA On the Cover 24 Award
Leadership
Transition
The Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association (WMAA)
and University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and 28 Student Life
As Karen Peterson retires Public Health community celebrate two decades of
leadership by Karen Peterson (left), who is retiring.
30 Spotlight
after 21 years at the helm,
Sarah Rothschild becomes Sarah Rothschild (right) will become the new WMAA
executive director. See article on page 10.
32 Faculty Profile
the new executive director.
—Photo by Todd Brown/Media Solutions 34 Research Advances
36 Perspectives
Q UA R T E R LY 1
MESSAGES
R O B E R T N. G O L D E N, M D
Such successes in our school’s history
continue to attract the best trainees. During
our August 2021 White Coat Investiture
Ceremony, we welcomed incoming
medical students.
New administrators also joined the
SMPH during the COVID-19 pandemic. In
the Perspectives column, you will enjoy
Dr. Lynn Schnapp’s account of becoming
the chair of the Department of Medicine as
the novel coronavirus spread throughout
our country. A few weeks later, Dr. Jomol
Mathew stepped into her role as the
inaugural chief of biomedical informatics
at the Institute for Clinical and Translational
Research. As you will discover in the Faculty
Profile, Dr. Mathew has embraced additional
leadership responsibilities since her arrival.
In spring 2021, two remarkable medical
students—Kevin Franco Valle and Liana
E
Aubrey Dawson—pursued their heartfelt
ach year, as I view the brilliant fall important department until the new chair is commitment to advancing social justice and
foliage, I reflect upon all that has on board. We thank Ellen for her devotion promoting diversity through their fundraising
happened in the recent summer and wish her the very best. and vigil-organizing efforts.
season and anticipate the excitement of the In the Alumni Profile, we describe another As the colorful fall foliage drops from
coming winter. Similarly, the University of inspiring individual, Dr. Richard Riegelman. the trees outside my office window,
Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public A pioneer in the integration of medicine and I am reminded of the COVID-19-related
Health (SMPH) community is celebrating the public health, he is the founding dean of exhaustion that so many of us feel at times.
careers of long-standing staff and faculty The George Washington University School If only we could safely drop our face masks
members as we wish them well in their of Public Health and Health Services in to the ground and declare that the pandemic
next chapters and welcome new people into Washington, DC. His story offers insights into is over! But for now, we must continue to call
our “family.” the SMPH’s transformation into the nation’s upon our growing understanding of the virus
For more than two decades, Karen first school of medicine and public health. to navigate our families and communities
Peterson has provided outstanding We are grateful to those who—30 years safely into the next season. In the spirit of
leadership for our Wisconsin Medical Alumni ago—created MEDiC, a program that Halloween (one of my favorite holidays), no
Association (WMAA). We applaud her provides health care to our medically matter what “tricks” this dreadful coronavirus
success in building meaningful connections underserved neighbors. This system of and its variants play on us, we must “treat”
among our medical students, alumni, faculty free clinics is run by UW-Madison health ourselves and our neighbors to science-
and staff. This strong foundation helped us professions students and supervised by driven commitments to protect each other.
recruit her successor, Sarah Rothschild, as SMPH faculty members and other health
Robert N. Golden, MD
our new WMAA executive director. care professionals. Dean, University of Wisconsin
We also honor the achievements of Another significant milestone, the 50th School of Medicine and Public Health
Dr. Ellen Wald, a national leader in pediatrics anniversary of the National Cancer Act, Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs,
who has served with distinction as chair of illustrates the broad role our investigators in UW-Madison
our Department of Pediatrics for more than the UW Carbone Cancer Center have played
15 years. In October, the SMPH presented in shaping the landscape of cancer research
her with the prestigious Folkert Belzer Award. and patient care over five decades.
Dr. Wald will continue leading this very
2 VOLUME 23 • NUMBER 3
KAREN S. PETERSON
G
reetings, medical alumni and organization. You are some of our school’s
friends! I hope you are enjoying most steadfast advocates. I hope you all will
the fall season. The University stay involved in the association and SMPH
of Wisconsin-Madison campus has come well beyond your term as board members!
alive, and the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Class representatives are another key
Association (WMAA) staff are back in the group that is essential to supporting our
office at the Health Sciences Learning Center mission. You have diligently kept your
(HSLC). It’s great to see our medical students classmates connected, hosted reunions and
every day and hear the UW Marching Band helped raise funds for scholarships. We have
practice as we leave the building. enjoyed numerous vibrant reunions over
Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the years. Please continue to lead in these
the weather, the beautiful fall colors, football ways—and more—as your efforts make
season and the anticipation of the holidays. a huge difference for your classmates and
For me, it is also a time of reflection and medical students. You’ll have opportunities
gratitude. And I feel that now, more than ever for many successful gatherings, virtual for
before. After 21 fabulous years serving as now and in person as soon as it’s safe to
the executive director of the WMAA, I will be gather that way.
retiring this fall. Thus, I have mixed emotions Reflecting on my colleagues behind the
as I write this message. scenes, I praise the WMAA staff members
I have been truly honored to direct the and our Advancement Team colleagues. Looking forward, please join me in giving
WMAA. I will remain forever thankful to This seriously is the “dream team.” Together, a warm Wisconsin welcome to the new
former SMPH Dean Philip Farrell and former we have accomplished many great things. WMAA executive director, Sarah Rothschild,
WMAA President Harvey Wichman (MD ’65, I know you will keep up your passion and who brings much talent and many new ideas
now deceased), as they gave me this hard work. Your talents are the reason why to the table. You will enjoy reading about her
opportunity in fall 2000. I had no idea that the WMAA is a leader among our peers. in the Alumni Notebook section of this issue
I would hold this “dream job” for so long. Last but not least, I extend an enthusiastic of Quarterly. I am excited about the WMAA’s
Additionally, I have deep gratitude for the high-five to all alumni for your donations of future under Sarah’s leadership!
constant support Dean Robert N. Golden has time, talent and money to our school and its With that, I say goodbye. I look forward
extended to me and to the WMAA. He fully students. Your volunteerism and gifts are the to joining you as a guest at the next
embraces the importance of our mission lifeblood of our organization. The WMAA is in-person WMAA Homecoming Tailgate Party,
and always welcomes alumni “back home” strong, and each contribution helps maintain Scholarship Reception and/or Middleton
to their alma mater (figuratively during the that strength. Society event.
COVID-19 pandemic, but in person when it’s It is difficult to reflect on 21 memory-filled On, Wisconsin!
safe to do so). He considers all of you to be years in a single column. The SMPH and
Karen S. Peterson
members of a happy, extended family. WMAA community has felt like a family Executive director, Wisconsin Medical
All of the WMAA presidents with whom to me. I have had opportunities to meet Alumni Association
I’ve worked have played significant roles countless wonderful alumni, faculty, staff and
in moving the association forward—and students along the way. Several have become
many past presidents continue to share their lifelong friends. And for all of this, words
dedication. I thank the entire WMAA Board don’t adequately express my gratitude.
of Directors for your sterling service to our
Q UA R T E R LY 3
F E AT U R E S T O R Y
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON ARCHIVES
Elizabeth C. Miller, PhD (left),
and Harold Rusch, MD ’33,
conduct cancer research in
1947. Their work helped lay the
foundation for decades to come.
4 VOLUME 23 • NUMBER 3
BY CHRIS MALINA
Spirit of
Innovation HOW UW-MADISON HELPED LAUNCH
THE WAR ON CANCER 50 YEARS AGO
I
n his 1971 State of the Union of advanced diagnostic and treatment an outsized role in
address—just over 50 years methods relating to cancer. These would charting a course.
ago—President Richard Nixon called become known as comprehensive cancer “UW-Madison
for an unprecedented national approach centers, and the University of Wisconsin- researchers were
to fighting one of our country’s greatest Madison—an institution already on the heavily involved in
UW-MADISON ARCHIVES
enemies: cancer. cutting edge of cancer research, drawing not just the genesis
“The time has come in America when the on decades of research by investigators of cancer research,
same kind of concentrated effort that split such as Elizabeth C. Miller, PhD, and Harold but they were
the atom and took man to the moon should Rusch, MD ’33—saw an opportunity. heavily involved in
be turned toward conquering this dread Under Rusch’s leadership, UW-Madison advising the federal
disease,” the 37th U.S. president announced. submitted a proposal to the National Cancer government in the
Howard Bailey, MD
“Let us make a total national commitment to Institute (NCI) to create a comprehensive early 1970s on what
achieve this goal.” cancer center. This led to the creation in the war on cancer
Less than a year later, on December 23, 1972 of the UW Clinical Cancer Center, should be,” says Howard Bailey, MD, director
1972, Nixon signed the National Cancer Act which was awarded comprehensive status of the UW Carbone Cancer Center—the
into law. The landmark piece of legislation a year later by the NCI. At the time, only five center’s new name as of 2006, in honor
would fundamentally reshape the cancer other institutions received the NCI’s first of Paul P. Carbone, MD, who served as the
research landscape in America, provide new “comprehensive” designation—an honor that center’s director for nearly 20 years.
funding opportunities, and officially kick off UW-Madison has maintained ever since. Bailey continues, “Our people were able
what’s now known as the “war on cancer.” With the infrastructure taking shape to help shape policy based on what they
To assist in that fight, the National across the United States to fight cancer, the knew was important and had been studying
Cancer Act called for the creation of cancer challenge then became: what next? It was for decades.”
centers throughout the United States for uncharted territory, but the newly designated
clinical research, training and demonstration UW Comprehensive Cancer Center played —Continued on next page
Q UA R T E R LY 5
research. Having discovered the first positive
transcription factor—a protein that effectively
turns genes “on”—Burgess gradually
built a research operation dedicated to
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON ARCHIVES
understanding the ins and outs of the protein
machinery of gene regulation, which helped
researchers build their knowledge of what
cancer is and how it operates.
As Burgess likes to say: “Today’s
basic research produces tomorrow’s
new treatments.”
FORWARD MOMENTUM
Throughout the years, research advances
made at UW-Madison have directly led to
new, more effective treatments for cancer.
McArdle Laboratory faculty and staff, including many historical luminaries, in 1969.
That includes tamoxifen, which became one
of the most widely utilized treatments for
RICH HISTORY University of Wisconsin has always been on
both preventing and treating breast cancer.
In the 1930s, Frederic E. Mohs, MD ’34, the forefront of wanting to study the maladies
UW-Madison also is the home of
a surgeon at UW Hospital and Clinics (now that were important to its state residents,
TomoTherapy, a specialized form of radiation
UW Health) and faculty member at the and clearly they recognized that cancer was
therapy that targets cancer cells and avoids
UW Medical School (now the UW School a priority.”
healthy cells.
of Medicine and Public Health, or SMPH), But even with decades of experience,
Today, that legacy of developing
developed a procedure—Mohs surgery— the ambitious goal that President Nixon
paradigm-shifting cancer therapies continues
to treat patients with skin cancer. Mohs rose laid out in 1971—to cure cancer—would
in new and exciting ways, from creating
to the level of emeritus clinical professor not be easy.
personalized vaccines made from a patient’s
of surgery. Richard Burgess, PhD, SMPH emeritus
own cells to developing more targeted and
In the 1940s, the McArdle Memorial professor of oncology, likens fighting cancer
effective immunotherapies that can be used
Laboratory for Cancer Research opened its to standing next to a railroad track and being
as first-line treatments.
doors and became the first cancer research asked to stop an oncoming train with nothing
For instance, the Program for Advanced
center founded by a university in the but a wrench in your hand.
Cell Therapy was launched in 2016 to
United States. “There’s no way you’re stopping it,” he
develop personalized cell technologies for
In the 1950s, Charles Heidelberger, PhD, says. “You could throw that wrench at that
improving health outcomes in children and
SMPH professor of oncology, developed train a million times and never even come
adults with unmet medical needs, such as
fluorouracil, also known as 5-FU, which close to stopping it. That’s the way our
radiation-caused dry mouth, and testing
would eventually become one of the knowledge was back then.”
those therapies through first-in-human
most widely used chemotherapy drugs in But Burgess notes that if you studied
clinical trials.
the world. the diagrams and the inner workings of the
UW Carbone also has established itself
And in the 1960s, Fritz Bach, MD, a train, you could potentially build a foundation
as a leader in precision medicine; it is
physician-scientist and SMPH professor, of basic knowledge necessary to achieve
home to the Precision Medicine Molecular
developed a compatibility test between tissue the goal.
Tumor Board (PMMTB). Developed as a
donors and recipients, which enabled him “You could recognize that there are
collaboration among UW Carbone and some
to lead one of the world’s first successful certain vulnerable spots in the train where, if
of the state’s largest oncology practices,
matched bone marrow transplants in 1968. you stuck a wrench in where the gears are
the board reviews cancer cases based
When it came to researching and treating coming together, you could stop the train,”
on patients’ specific genetic mutations,
cancer, UW-Madison was clearly ahead of he describes. “And that’s exactly what’s
and it recommends patient-specific
the curve. happened over the last 50 years.”
targeted therapies.
“There was this collection of forward- In 1971, Burgess had just arrived in
Since its inception six years ago, the
thinking researchers here who decided that Madison to work in the McArdle Laboratory.
Tumor Board has reviewed more than 5,500
having some specific plans for dealing with Funding from the National Cancer Act
cases, with the annual number of cases
cancer was important,” Bailey states. “The helped him establish his lab and dive into
increasing every year.
6 VOLUME 23 • NUMBER 3
“We learn a lot from our patients, and comprehensive cancer centers in the United It’s what the UW
it inspires us to try and understand what’s States. Thanks to significant research Carbone Cancer Center’s
going on with individuals or groups of advances made possible by the National namesake would have
patients who have unusual cases,” shares Cancer Act of 1971, cancer is much more wanted because it’s what
PMMTB co-director Mark Burkard, MD, PhD, preventable and treatable. And more cancer he preached. After all, he
UW-MADISON ARCHIVES
SMPH professor of medicine. “But at the patients survive today than ever before. had a favorite phrase, one
end of the day, I think the biggest win is for What hasn’t changed during all this that the center still lives by
the patients.” time is UW Carbone’s spirit of innovation, a today: “Cancer research
INNOVATIVE SPIRIT deep commitment to research and patient has a face: the face
A lot has changed over the past 50 years. care, and a desire to make life better for of our patients.”
There are now more than 50 NCI-designated individuals with cancer. Paul P. Carbone, MD
Meet Wisconsin’s Mary Lasker
In 1971, before the signing of After creating and selling a successful
the National Cancer Act, the federal Depression-era company, Lasker
government’s annual budget for cancer eventually turned her attention toward
control efforts was around $200 million. civic initiatives and causes. Along with
That’s far from the roughly $6.5 billion the her husband, she founded the Albert and
government now invests each year in the Mary Lasker Foundation in 1942, with
National Cancer Institute (NCI). the intention of encouraging investments
The push to make cancer a national in medical research to tackle the major
“She was really a woman of the times,”
priority—along with increased funding for causes of death and disability, including
recalls Marshall Fordyce, MD, Lasker’s
new biomedical research—would not have cancer, in the United States at that time.
great-nephew and a Lasker Foundation
been possible without one very important In that same period, she worked to
board member. “Her focus on the funding
Wisconsinite who observed: “If you think transform the American Society for the
of science and research was an incredibly
research is expensive, try disease!” Control of Cancer into the organization now
important tool for enabling society to
Born in Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1900, known as the American Cancer Society and
better understand things like cancer that
Mary Woodard Lasker is widely credited initiated its funding of cancer research in
really impacted the daily lives of citizens.
as one of the driving forces behind the the early 1940s.
Somehow she tapped into that in a very
National Cancer Act. She came from Throughout her life, Lasker received
deep way.”
humble roots, but over just a few decades, major honors and recognition for her
While Lasker didn’t live to see cancer
she emerged front and center with the elite work, including the Presidential Medal of
completely eradicated, Fordyce says that
of New York and Washington, DC. Freedom in 1969 and the Congressional
if his great aunt were still alive, she’d be
“She was a mover and a shaker at Gold Medal in 1989. Her image also
amazed by the progress toward that goal.
a high level,” notes Howard Bailey, MD adorned a postage stamp in 2009.
“I think she would be thrilled with the
(PG ’91), director of the University of Today, Lasker’s spirit and legacy carry
fruits of the investment in biomedical
Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center and a on through her foundation, which presents
research in which she played such a key
professor of hematology, medical oncology awards each year to scientists for key
role,” he shares. “Just seeing the new
and palliative care at the UW School of advances in basic science and clinical
biological medicines that have come
Medicine and Public Health. “She knew medicine research. Many award winners
forward that really didn’t mature until after
everybody, including presidents, and really have gone on to win Nobel Prizes, such
her death. I mean, really curative therapies
pushed them to act on the causes she as UW-Madison’s Howard Temin, PhD,
for some diseases. I actually think she’d
cared about. She’s really credited with professor, who won a Lasker Award in
be blown away by what science has been
pushing the idea of the NCI, the national 1974 before winning the Nobel in 1975.
able to achieve.”
cancer centers and the war on cancer.”
Q UA R T E R LY 7P H O T O F E AT U R E
White Coats and
Stethoscopes
FALL TRADITIONS GREET NEW MEDICAL STUDENTS
8 VOLUME 23 • NUMBER 3PHOTOS BY TODD BROWN AND KRISTEN KOENIG
Opposite page, top row (left to right): First-year medical students approach their White Coat Ceremony. Brady Kerwin shares his Wisconsin
pride. Samantha Gallo wears her new stethoscope and white coat. Bottom row: Jason Stephenson, MD (right), congratulates a medical
student with an elbow bump. Takwa Salem puts on the symbol of her new profession. Above, top row: Several class members prepare to don
their white coats, with faculty members standing by to assist. Bottom row: On the shore of Lake Mendota, Aniekanabasi Ufot, Kaïssa Sylla,
Christine Egede, Neema Mbele, Oyindamola Fawole and Terrill Taylor celebrate after the event. Sonam Dolma and Natasha Ignatowski pose
in their white coats, which were donated by the Wisconsin Medical Society for all new medical students.
W
earing masks while indoors, compassionate patient care for trainees event was live-streamed to the school’s
new medical students at who strive to become physicians. Facebook page for others to view.
the University of Wisconsin This is the second medical student In another time-honored tradition,
School of Medicine and Public Health cohort to begin their training during during the first week of classes, the
(SMPH) donned their first white coats the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association gave
at the White Coat Investiture Ceremony ceremony was virtual. This year, in-person each new medical student a stethoscope
on Friday, August 20, 2021. This rite of participation in the ceremony was limited that was donated by alumni and other
passage emphasizes the importance of to students and academic leaders; the supporters of the SMPH.
Q UA R T E R LY 9ALUMNI NOTEBOOK
Celebrating
Two Decades
of Leadership
PETERSON
RETIRES FROM
WMAA EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR POST
Karen Peterson
TODD BROWN/MEDIA SOLUTIONS
10 VOLUME 23 • NUMBER 3by Kris Whitman of Iowa, Peterson married Don Peterson,
Rothschild
S
a former high school classmate who grew
imilar to counting candles on a
birthday cake, Karen Peterson
up on a farm near Mt. Pleasant. A visit to Becomes New
Executive Director
Madison, including the UW Memorial Union
proudly counts the number of
Terrace, made a strong impression on the
Homecoming Weekends she has celebrated
young couple.
while leading the Wisconsin Medical Alumni
“My husband received a job offer in Sarah Rothschild
Association (WMAA)—21 as of October
Madison and established his electrical is the new executive
2021 and 38 total while working in the health
TODD BROWN/MEDIA SOLUTIONS
engineering career here at Madison director of the
sciences at University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Gas and Electric,” says Peterson, adding that Wisconsin Medical
This particular Homecoming, however, marks
they bought their current home near campus Alumni Association
a new type of observance: her retirement.
39 years ago. “We love everything about
“I have absolutely loved working for the (WMAA) at the
Madison. It’s been such a great place to raise
WMAA and the UW School of Medicine and University of Wisconsin
our two daughters.”
Public Health (SMPH),” says Peterson, who School of Medicine
The Petersons’ first daughter, Maddy,
has served as the association’s executive and Public Health
earned a nursing degree from UW-Madison
director and the school’s assistant dean for (SMPH), as of October 18, 2021.
and is working as an intensive care nurse
alumni and external relations since 2000. Since 2014, Rothschild has been the
on the front lines of the pandemic in Austin,
“I had hoped we would be able to gather in director of constituent relations for the
Texas. Their second daughter, Isabelle, is
person for the WMAA’s traditional fall class
completing a dual degree in elementary and University of Virginia’s Medical Alumni
reunions and Homecoming Tailgate Party—
special education at UW-Oshkosh; she will Association and Medical School Foundation.
as this will be my last before I retire—but due
student-teach in the spring. There, she developed a program that
to COVID-19, we need to celebrate reunions
“When Don and I moved to Madison in constantly evolved to engage the school’s
virtually. And, unfortunately, it’s hard to hold
spring 1982, my business degree helped me alumni, students, trainees and faculty.
a tailgate event online.”
get my first job in the business office of the That evolution took on many forms, from
Nonetheless, Peterson will be cheering
UW School of Nursing, where I worked with
with gusto at the Homecoming football game. developing virtual content to establishing
faculty members to help them obtain and
Ironically, the UW Badgers will face off against targeted programming around common
manage grants. I later became the director of
her college alma mater, the University of Iowa interest, identity or purpose.
that school’s research office,” says Peterson.
Hawkeyes, that day. Earlier, she served as the director
Recalling another pivotal move into a new
A native of the small, rural town of for alumni relations at the University of
alumni relations position at the UW School
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Peterson says her mom Washington School of Medicine Alumni
of Nursing, Peterson describes, “It felt like
was an elementary school teacher, and her Association and has held other leadership
I found my niche. Among other things, I was
dad served in the U.S. Navy during World
proud to establish and run a golf outing to roles in media relations, public affairs
War II and had a subsequent career in the
raise money for scholarships.” and alumni relations, including for the
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
In 2000, the opportunity to enter her Association of American Medical Colleges
“My parents were products of the Great
current role with the WMAA led to two Group on Institutional Advancement.
Depression,” she notes. “They encouraged my
decades of managing the program that “I am thrilled to join the outstanding
two older siblings and me to work hard, save
fosters close relationships among the school, SMPH community and lead the WMAA in
our money and value what we have. Above all,
its medical alumni and medical students, with
a sense of family was very important, and we engaging alumni and students for a lifetime.
the goal of promoting alumni participation in
all supported each other.” I am grateful for the strong traditions of the
and support of the SMPH.
Peterson recalls many events of the SMPH and WMAA, and I look forward to
“Drs. Philip Farrell and Harvey Wichman
1960s, including the Civil Rights Movement, creating new ones,” shares Rothschild.
hired me,” says Peterson. “At that time,
and says, “My parents were always willing Robert N. Golden, MD, dean of the SMPH,
Dr. Farrell was the SMPH dean, and
to talk about current events, and they were notes, “The WMAA is the cornerstone of our
Dr. Wichman was the WMAA president.”
dedicated to helping people in need, an strong and lasting relationships with our
Dean Emeritus Philip Farrell, MD, PhD
attitude that shaped who I am today.”
(PG ’72), reflects, “I expected good things medical alumni. Sarah is an outstanding
While earning her business degree with
from Karen, but I have been absolutely addition to the school and will help foster
an emphasis in finance at the University
connections among our wonderful medical
—Continued on page 27 alumni and our students and faculty.”
Q UA R T E R LY 11ALUMNI NOTEBOOK
C a l l ”
“On i n f e ctious
Three pecialists
se s t
disea rterly wha
a
tell Qu been up to
e
they’v
HARRY A. (BUCK) SCHOLTZ IV, MD (PG ’17)
I
have infectious disease particles. It mainly infects farm paradigm of what a physician
(ID) practices in several animals but can cause human should be, and I never
places, including McKenzie infections. My patient lived looked back!
Willamette Medical Center, a near a goat farm and had an Consequently, I completed my
small community hospital in abdominal aortic graft, which residency at Wake Forest Baptist
Springfield, Oregon, and Salem became infected. With antibiotic Medical Center in Winston-
Hospital, a large community therapy, she was able to get Salem, North Carolina, where
hospital in Salem, Oregon. In back to normal. Dr. Peacock taught, followed by
addition, I do telemedicine ID I chose infectious disease my ID fellowship at UW Health. from bedside medicine to bench
for a critical access hospital in for the same reason many Nationally, I am a member of research to local epidemiology.
Reedsburg, Wisconsin. I often others do: a great mentor, the Infectious Disease Society It’s about listening to people,
see common ID problems Dr. James Peacock, when I was of America, and locally, I belong thinking about problems and
like cellulitis, diabetic foot a fourth-year medical student. to the county medical society, finding solutions. If you have
infections and Staphylococcal ID physicians tend to be good as well as a regional group of insatiable curiosity and a long
bloodstream infections. diagnosticians with broad ID doctors called the Rocky list of interests, this is a good
Recently, I saw a case of medical knowledge. He was a Mountain Pus Club. specialty to consider. The
Q fever, a rare and difficult- terrific diagnostician, had sound Infectious disease is a coronavirus pandemic has
to-diagnose infection usually physical exam skills and a warm wonderfully rewarding specialty, underscored the importance of
contracted through airborne bedside manner. It fit my in which you can do anything the ID field, as future threats will
require many more of us.
12 VOLUME 23 • NUMBER 3DEANNA J. FRIEDMAN-KLABANOFF, MD ’09
A
t the University of National Institutes of Health (NIH) lesion. She was found to have
Maryland School of to investigate use of peptide neurocysticercosis, but access to
Medicine, I am an arrays to better understand albendazole was cost-prohibitive.
instructor in the Department of natural immunity to P. falciparum Thankfully, we were able to get
Pediatrics, Division of Infectious and identify and test novel her connected with the NIH’s free
Diseases and Tropical Pediatrics. vaccine candidates. neurocysticercosis clinic.
I spend about 80 percent of We see a wide variety of Having majored in medical
my time doing research and cases at University of Maryland microbiology and immunology
interest in global infectious
the balance in clinical work. Medical Center, including at UW-Madison, I knew I wanted
disease research.
My clinical and translational osteomyelitis, multi-drug to go into infectious diseases
Infectious diseases is a
research centers around natural resistant infections and fever of because I have always been
great career because we will
and vaccine-induced immunity unknown origin. We also have fascinated by interactions
always have new diseases
to Plasmodium falciparum, the cared for pediatric patients with between microbes and the
to learn how to diagnose,
most common and deadly cause COVID-19. My favorite consults human immune system. Great
manage and prevent. We also
of malaria. I also have helped are fever in returned travelers mentors during medical school
have opportunities to develop
with several COVID-19 projects, and tropical infections. at the University of Wisconsin
expertise in areas like infection
including Phase 3 trials of the My most memorable patient School of Medicine and Public
prevention, antimicrobial
Moderna and Novavax vaccines. was a teenage immigrant from Health and during my pediatrics
stewardship, HIV, global health
I recently was awarded a K23 Central America who presented residency at the University
and tropical medicine.
career development grant by the with seizures and an enhancing of Minnesota enhanced my
JENNIFER HSU, MD (PG ’08, ’10)
I
practice in general many living with HIV, cystic had the honor of caring for this
infectious diseases (ID) at fibrosis and non-tuberculous patient for 10 years.
Sanford Health in Sioux mycobacterial infections. The most important factor
Falls, South Dakota, where I also My most memorable in choosing my specialty was
work with our antimicrobial patients are those with whom having great mentors throughout
stewardship program. In I have developed long-term medical school at the University
addition, I am the Charley F. relationships, especially patients of Missouri-Columbia School of
and Elizabeth Gutch Chair in living with HIV infection. I met Medicine and my residency and
Education Workgroups. I also
Medicine and assistant dean of a particularly impactful patient fellowship at UW Health. My ID
have been part of the National
medical student education at who was hospitalized with severe rotation as a resident sealed my
Board of Medical Examiners
the University of South Dakota anemia related to HIV therapy. decision—I worked more hours
Microbiology and Immunology
Sanford School of Medicine. In He continued taking his HIV than ever but still looked forward
Test Development Committee.
this role, I direct our longitudinal medications prescribed many to the work.
I find ID physicians to be
integrated clerkship and assist years earlier, but he had no I have had the opportunity
passionate clinicians and
with curriculum development, regular HIV care provider. This to participate in great groups
teachers, and I look forward to
assessment and evaluation. is a common problem in rural that bridge my clinical and
opportunities when I can work
While I care for patients South Dakota, where access to academic work, including
with others around the nation.
with a large variety of ID care can be limited, and where the Infectious Diseases
There is always something new
problems, my outpatient HIV is highly stigmatized. I have Society of America Education
to learn in this field!
practice has evolved to include Committee and Medical
Q UA R T E R LY 13ALUMNI NOTEBOOK
Class Notes
Compiled by Andrea Larson and served as the medical director of lung Class of
We want to hear from you!
med.wisc.edu/shareyournews
transplantation. As a physician-scientist, he
performed basic and translational research 1996
in cystic fibrosis (directed the adult CF
Charles (Chuck) Ryan has been
program), interstitial lung disease (headed
appointed president and chief executive
Class of the ILD program), lung transplantation,
officer of the Prostate Cancer Foundation,
1968 aging and other areas. He maintains an
honorary appointment and continues to
the world’s leading philanthropic organization
dedicated to funding life-saving prostate
engage in scholarly endeavors. Meyer has
Michael Levin cancer research. Ryan is recognized
written many short stories about his training
was honored as a internationally as a genitourinary oncologist
and career in medicine and is working on
Distinguished Life with expertise in the biology and treatment of
a memoir; he also has written a memoir
Fellow of the American advanced prostate cancer.
about his years living in Cyprus when he was
Psychiatric Association
attached to the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia.
with the 50-year
Having been lured into musical theater at Class of
member award; he had
50 years of membership
age 52 by his daughter, he has performed
in numerous theater and opera productions.
2018
as of January 1, 2020. This award
During retirement, he stays busy with his
recognizes members who have demonstrated
granddaughters and by helping his wife,
exceptional loyalty to the association. Levin
Emily Auerbach, PhD, with the UW Odyssey
resides in Lafayette, California, with his wife,
Program, which she directs.
Judith. They have three children and three
grandchildren. Levin enjoys hiking, cycling
and participating in a book club. Class of
Class of
1984
Rebecca Kemnitz was elected
1981 Steven O’Marro was recently awarded
Springfield (Illinois) Clinic’s prestigious
chief resident for Tulane University’s
Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Residency
A. Raymond Eveloff Award for Clinical
Keith Meyer, an Program for the 2021-2022 academic
Excellence. The annual award, established in
emeritus professor of year. After completing her residency
1997 in honor of one of Springfield Clinic’s
medicine at the UW in New Orleans, she plans to return to
founding partners, recognizes a recipient for
School of Medicine her home state of Wisconsin, where
“going above and beyond the call of duty to
and Public Health, she has accepted an internal medicine
ensure the health and well-being of patients
retired on February and pediatric primary care position with
and to continually strive for excellence in
1, 2021. A Wisconsin Marshfield Clinic in Minocqua, Wisconsin.
the delivery of health care.” O’Marro, using
native with roots in Pictured above, left to right, are medical
evidence-based methods and personal
the state on both sides of his family dating school classmates Natalie Taylor, MD ’18,
experience from previous pandemics,
back 200 years, Meyer served in the U.S. Kemnitz, Katie O’Brien, MD ’18, and Becca
helped inform the clinic’s COVID-19 policies,
Navy during the Vietnam War and shares Warwick, MD ’18.
procedures and protocols that have allowed
that he could have never attended medical
physicians to continue safely seeing patients
school without the help of the GI Bill. Meyer
and providing necessary care.
specialized in pulmonary and critical care
medicine. He collaborated with thoracic
surgeons to set up UW Hospital’s (now UW
Health) lung transplant program in 1988
14 VOLUME 23 • NUMBER 3Letter to the Editor: Dr. William S. Middleton, a brown derby. Philistines, aside and had him do a surgical
Going through my memorabilia, I found During this class hour, the members of the scrub while the scene for the skit was set.
an article in the May 1952 Phi Chi Quarterly class present a skit portraying the various It was a court room [sic] just outside the
magazine about the Class of 1953’s idiosyncrasies and personality traits of the gates to Heaven with a judge presiding.
Derby Day, held in 1952. Dean, of which there are many humorous There were five prosecuting attorneys and
I have heard several different versions ones. In previous years, skits based on his one defense attorney, and the rest of the
of Derby Day presented by past presidents supposed birth, his “shot-gun” marriage to class acted as the “impartial” jury. A host
of the Wisconsin Medical Alumni the class, and his funeral have been used of witnesses (a vast majority of them for
Association. This article clarifies that a as themes. the prosecution!) were present. Doctor
junior class presented the derby to Dean Middleton’s famous patient—who later
William S. Middleton, and that it was not at postmortem was found to have only a
provided by the dean. My memory of Derby 26-gram spleen—came from Heaven to
Day is consistent with this article, which condemn him. After the prosecution and
I would like to share with readers of the defense rested the case, the class in unison
UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s proclaimed the verdict and the Dean was
Quarterly magazine. thereby condemned to a future of stoking
Many thanks, coal. Then came the derby—a lurid red one
Edward Pezanoski, MD ’54 this year—presented to the Dean by the
Class representative for the Class of 1954 president of the class.
Former member of Phi Chi Fraternity Each year’s derby always comes to each
of the Dean’s lectures. These lectures are
Response: conducted on a quiz program basis. When
Phi Chi Quarterly was published by the a member of the class misses a question,
Phi Chi Fraternity, which was active at the he affixes his signature to the top of the hat
University of Wisconsin Medical School (now and wears it until someone else misses a
UW School of Medicine and Public Health) question. At the last lecture of the year, the
from 1921 to 1974. The text of the article, This year, the usual 8 am lecture mad scramble is on to miss every question
“Derby Day: A Skit of the Dean,” from the started and proceeded for several minutes the Dean asks, for the one who misses the
May 1952 Phi Chi Quarterly, follows: when in walked two members of the class very last question becomes the proud owner
For the past 39 years, there has been an appropriately costumed as Satan and of the derby permanently.”
hour set aside by the junior class once each St. Peter. Then several members of the class —by Melvin L. Griem, TB ’53
year in which the class presents the Dean, took this man, who regards all surgeons as Phi Chi Quarterly
In Memoriam
Jerome R. Cornfield, MD ’51 Clyde Gerhard, MD ’61 Michael J. Ansfield, MD ’71 Former Faculty Members
Chicago, Illinois Boise, Idaho Eagle, Colorado Allen W. Clark, PhD ’61
August 23, 2021 August 7, 2021 August 16, 2021 Madison, Wisconsin
Ennio C. Rossi, MD ’54 Charles R. Vavrin, MD ’62 Jacob K. Felix, MD ’71 September 29, 2021
(PG ’61, ’63) Arlington, Texas Portland, Oregon Frank Graziano, MD, PhD (PG ’76)
Northbrook, Illinois May 20, 2021 June 19, 2021 Oregon, Wisconsin
September 3, 2021 September 22, 2021
Gene P. Wegner, MD ’63 William E. Smith, MD ’71
Michael Pollay, MD ’55 Monona, Wisconsin San Juan Capistrano, California Ronald E. Kalil, PhD
Sun City West, Arizona July 19, 2021 August 5, 2021 Madison, Wisconsin
February 10, 2021 September 20, 2021
John D. Sarbacker, MD ’64 William L. Giese, MD ’84
John R. Pellett, MD (PG ’59, ’61)
Lon D. Babbitt, MD ’61 Fargo, North Dakota (PG ’88)
Middleton, Wisconsin, and
Carlsbad, New Mexico July 20, 2021 Murray, Kentucky
Sanibel, Florida
August 9, 2021 May 24, 2021
September 25, 2021
Q UA R T E R LY 15GOODBYE DEAR FRIENDS
Goodbye Dear Friends
RONALD E. KALIL, PhD
A
of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences National Institutes of Health and other
(DOVS) and had affiliate appointments in federal agencies.
other UW-Madison units, including the “Dr. Kalil was passionate about his
pioneer in McPherson Eye Research Institute. research and teaching at UW-Madison.
neuroscience In 1975, Kalil established and, for His research ranged from molecular
and 25 years, directed the Neuroscience neurobiology to behavioral neuroscience.
ophthalmology Training Program. He also established Seminal work in his lab revealed the
at the the Center for Neuroscience—which he remarkable ability of the brain to restore
University of directed for a dozen years—and the W.M. function that has been compromised or
Wisconsin Keck Laboratory for Biological Imaging. lost due to brain injury by replacing cells
School of Medicine and Public Health Further, in 2004, Kalil established the that have died and rebuilding appropriate
(SMPH), Ronald E. Kalil, PhD, died first UW-Madison course focused on neural connections. His impact on learners
on September 20, 2021, in Madison, stem cell therapeutic applications; and who benefited from the courses and
Wisconsin. He was 79 years old. he co-founded, directed and taught in the programs that he developed is immense,”
Having earned his doctorate at Neuroscience and Public Policy Program. says Terri L. Young, MD, MBA, FARVO,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Broadly, he chaired the planning committee chair of DOVS and the Peter A. Duehr
Kalil joined the SMPH faculty in 1973. At that led to the establishment of the SMPH Professor of Ophthalmology, Pediatrics and
the time of his retirement in 2020, he was Department of Neuroscience. Kalil served Medical Genetics.
a professor in the school’s Department for 18 years on advisory panels for the
JOHN R. PELLETT, MD, FACS (PG ’59, ’61)
J
ohn R. on the faculty—refers to him as a revered SMPH faculty in 1961 and continued his
Pellett, teacher, a precise and exacting surgeon, career there until his retirement in 2002.
MD, and a physician who cared deeply about He always loved to keep up on any news
FACS (PG ’59, his patients. from the Department of Surgery.
’61), an emeritus “He had an encyclopedic memory, Pellett played a role in many “firsts” at
professor of recalling details of each patient, their UW Health, including the first separation
surgery at the disease, their relatives, their background of conjoined twins, lung transplant,
University of and even where they got their hair double-lung transplant and heart-lung
Wisconsin School cut. Sometimes evening rounds took transplant. He was involved in research,
of Medicine a while, but everyone understood as stayed on top of the medical literature,
and Public Health (SMPH) and esteemed long as John was teaching and caring,” and served in numerous state and national
general and thoracic surgeon at UW Health, recalls Bernhardt. professional organizations throughout
passed away on September 24, 2021, at Born in Hamburg, New Jersey, Pellett his career.
age 94. He lived in Middleton, Wisconsin, served in the U.S. Navy and earned his Bernhardt notes, “John trained
and Sanibel, Florida. medical degree from the University of hundreds of UW Health surgical residents
One of Pellett’s former colleagues and Pennsylvania. In 1955, he moved to and fellows, and they cherished the time
lifelong friends, Louis Bernhardt, MD ’63 Madison, Wisconsin, where he completed they spent with him. They received great
(PG ’72)—a retired Madison cardiovascular a general surgery residency and thoracic medical training, as well as an education
surgeon who served as the chief surgery surgery fellowship at UW Hospital and about deer hunting, farming, history
resident at UW Health while Pellett was Clinics (now UW Health). He joined the and life, to boot.”
16 VOLUME 23 • NUMBER 3HEALER’S JOURNEY
WINNING ENTRY IN THE SEVENTH ANNUAL
Bioethics Essay Contest
As a fourth-year medical student at communities that suffer from higher-than- Specifically, they remain skeptical that
the University of Wisconsin School average incarceration rates as a result sufficient medical personnel can be provided
of Medicine and Public Health of systematic racism, the effects of low to these facilities to deliver adequate
(SMPH), Evalina Bond, MD ’21, socioeconomic status, and other upstream informed consent, monitor symptoms,
received the 2021 Dr. Norman Fost determinants. However, some quantifications and provide treatments when side effects
of these impacts are beginning to be occur. Further, some suggest that obtaining
Award for the Best Medical Student
published. One such study by Reinhart et al., consent without coercion in a prison is
Bioethics Essay. The contest—
published in November 2020, investigated likely impossible given the significant power
sponsored by the SMPH and its
the immediate effects of the high prisoner dynamics of the environment.
Department of Medical History and infection rate on infection trends in the Outside of these concerns, however, it is
Bioethics—asked students to choose surrounding populations by analyzing Cook not clear whether allowing participation in
a topic related to the COVID-19 County [Illinois] Jail discharges and infection vaccine trials is ethical. While this population
pandemic’s impact on the ethics of nodes by zip codes in the Chicago area. is disproportionately affected by COVID-19
conducting vaccine trial research They found that jail-community cycling was and could have theoretically benefited from a
on the American prison population. a significant predictor of COVID-19 cases vaccine under investigation, these individuals
This essay was edited for publication and was able to account for 55 percent are at increased risk largely because of the
in Quarterly; the unedited essay, of the variance between zip codes. It is environment they have been forced into.
including references, is available at no surprise, therefore, that high infection Therefore, inviting participation into a study
med.wisc.edu/bioethics-essay rates of any disease among incarcerated that may protect them from a disease for
people—especially diseases with similar which the design and resources of their
Vaccine Trials in Prisons? An Unethical transmission patterns to COVID-19—are a environment is causing them to get at higher
Response to High Prison Infection Rates problem that must be addressed early on to rates, instead of changing that environment,
by Evalina Bond prevent large-scale spread. does not truly improve autonomy, only
Conducting research on the imprisoned the appearance of it. Further, allowing
The incarcerated population has been restricted following participation is not a neutral act in itself;
population in the major policy shifts in the 1970s, which when the general population is benefiting
United States has been barred incarcerated people from participating from the poor environment prisoners live in,
disproportionately in vaccine research trials. In light of the we are incentivized to allow the continuation
impacted by the pandemic, Wang et al. published an article of that environment and inhibit future
COVID-19 pandemic in JAMA in September 2020 re-examining prison reform.
with infection rates this exclusion. They argued that this Overall, while some members of the
five and a half times higher and mortality population should be allowed to volunteer medical community see the COVID-19
rates three times higher than the general for Phase 3 vaccine trials because they are pandemic as an event that may have
population. The explanations behind these so disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 warranted an exception to the policies
statistics are multifactorial, but include and its repercussions. If proper informed protecting incarcerated people from potential
the high population density in prisons, consent can be obtained without coercion, abuse caused by participation in some
high admission and discharge rates, they suggest that it may even be unethical to branches of medical research, doing so may
disproportionately high rates of chronic exclude these people from participation and not have been practical given the under-
diseases, often inadequate medical potential benefits of these trials. resourced status of most prisons, and further,
supervision, poor sanitation, and the inability While this proposition may increase the may have had negative impacts on the future
for facilities to adequately isolate infected autonomy of the incarcerated population of prison reform. It is essential that in future
prisoners. Impacts of the high infection in America, others question how practical events of similar significance, we maintain
and death rates among this population it is to assume sufficient informed consent the high ethical standards in place to protect
are understandably difficult to quantify and safety measures can be obtained in an underprivileged populations who are at risk
and will have lasting impacts on the many environment that is so often under-resourced. for abuse in research studies.
Q UA R T E R LY 17GIVING BACK
Light from the sunset shines upon the health sciences campus at the west end of UW-Madison, including the Health Sciences Learning Center,
Clinical Science Center and Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research.
Success with
WMAA Scholarship
Matching Funds $0 $500,000
ENDOWMENT THRESHOLD WILL DOUBLE AT BEGINNING OF 2022
by Kris Whitman graduates from the University of Wisconsin handle on their own,”
I
School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) she says. “Assisting
n the final quarter of availability
are no exception,” she says. “An impressive students financially
for the Wisconsin Medical Alumni
number of groups are choosing to donate.” helps them focus on
Association’s (WMAA) matching funds
Since the WMAA Matching Fund’s their training rather
for need-based, endowed scholarships, many
inception, as of October 7, 2021, 27 than worrying about
individuals and classes have stepped up to
scholarship funds have been created and how to pay for tuition.”
double their donations.
endowed or enhanced to the endowment With this in mind,
Starting in October 2020, the association
level with the WMAA matching dollars. Also Barbo established Dorothy Barbo, MD
began offering a $12,500 match once that
as of that date, $162,500 of the $500,000 a new need-based,
amount in new gifts has been received for a
matching dollars are still available—and endowed scholarship for medical students
need-based scholarship. Individuals, families
more groups are currently working toward at the SMPH. The timing of her donation
or classes can create a new need-based
reaching the match level than there will be allowed her to receive matching funds from
scholarship or contribute to an existing one.
matching funds to go around. Thus, Watson the WMAA.
Referring to the chart on the next page,
urges anyone interested in taking advantage Born in River Falls, Wisconsin, and
Jill Watson, associate vice president and
of the matching funds to act quickly. raised in the small village of Hammond in
managing director, Wisconsin Foundation
Dorothy Barbo, MD ’58, is among those the western part of the state, Barbo did not
and Alumni Association, notes that some
who recognize the need to support medical receive scholarships for college or medical
MD classes feel a sense of “friendly
students by lowering the amount of debt school, but she says it would have helped.
competition” with their peers.
they acquire. “Very little (scholarship money) was
“Their shared goal—to help reduce
“The cost of medical education today is available in those days,” Barbo recalls.
medical student indebtedness—is something
beyond what many students and families can
that nearly all physicians can relate to, and
18 VOLUME 23 • NUMBER 3You can also read
