Alumni Notes
Alumni News wants to publish news of your professional and personal accomplishments and activities.
Submit your own Alumni Note
1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s
1960s
Edward G. Kelly, MD ’67, was honored Jan. 31, 2009, with the Physician Volunteer Award by the Allegheny County Medical Society. A retired orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Kelly has worked with Catholic Charities to oversee the building of its Free Health Care Center, which opened in downtown Pittsburgh in November 2007. As the center’s Medical Director, he has helped expand its operations from three to five days a week, providing free care to nearly 2,200 of the region’s uninsured. He continues to oversee day-to-day operation of the center as well as recruitment and credentialing.
Michael A. Stocker, MD ’68, GME ’69, MPH, has been appointed the new Chairman of the Board of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. The 16-member board oversees the corporation, which is the nation’s largest municipal health care system. A retired internist, Dr. Stocker was most recently President and CEO of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, and after the company was acquired by WellChoice in 2005, he served as President and Chief Executive of its eastern region before retiring in 2006.
1970s
Robert Wondergem, PhD ’77, Professor of Physiology at East Tennessee State University’s (ETSU) James H. Quillen College of Medicine, has been named Executive Director of the ETSU Research Foundation. The foundation administers intellectual property, real property used for research and development, and other financial matters involving research at ETSU. It accepts and oversees selected contracts and grants from private industry, foundations and other non-governmental agencies. Dr. Wondergem joined the Quillen College in 1978 and taught its inaugural class of medical students. During his tenure, he has trained numerous graduate students while continuing his research into the mechanisms by which intracellular calcium and membrane ion channels contribute to the growth, migration and metastasis of various cancer cells.
Zeljko J. Bosnjak, PhD ’79, received the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) 2008 Excellence in Research Award. The award is given annually to one candidate in recognition of research that has led to the advancement of the science and clinical practice of anesthesiology. Dr. Bosnjak’s research has led to a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms of anesthetic action and the cardiovascular response to anesthetic drugs. He is Professor of Anesthesiology and of Physiology and Vice Chairman of Research in the Department of Anesthesiology at The Medical College of Wisconsin.
1980s
Arthur R. Derse, MD, GME ’83, JD, is this year’s recipient of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities’ Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Derse is Director of Medical and Legal Affairs and Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Bioethics at The Medical College of Wisconsin. He is also Director of the Medical Humanities program and Professor of Bioethics and of Emergency Medicine at the Medical College.
Andrew Haig, MD ’83, received the 2008 Distinguished Clinician Award from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. The award honors individual physiatrists who have achieved distinction on the basis of their scholarly level of teaching and their outstanding performance in physiatric patient care. Dr. Haig is tenured Professor of PM&R at the University of Michigan, where his clinical work focuses on spinal disorders and electrodiagnostic testing. His research has focused on multidisciplinary team assessment of disability, international/industrial rehabilitation and the physiology of back muscles. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Haig founded the University of Michigan Spine Fellowship, developed an award-winning inpatient rehabilitation program and an occupational medicine program in private practice and is the founding president of the International Rehabilitation Forum, a not-for-profit consortium of academic rehabilitation programs.
Mary E. Cronin, MD, GME ’84, received the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wisconsin Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America. The award is the organization’s highest honor and recognizes those who have made considerable and longstanding contributions to the Lupus Foundation of America and patients coping with lupus and related diseases. In addition to caring for lupus patients for 25 years, Dr. Cronin, Associate Professor of Medicine (Rheumatology) at The Medical College of Wisconsin, has overseen numerous clinical trials for rheumatic illnesses, including lupus.
Nancy Szatkowski, PhD ’84, was appointed to the Ozaukee County Board to fill the remainder of the term of a departing board member, which runs through April 2010. Dr. Szatkowski is a freelance photographer, and her degree is in pathology.
Tom P. Aufderheide, MD, GME ’86, has received the 2008 Award for Outstanding Contribution in Research from the American College of Emergency Physicians. The award recognizes his many accomplishments and significant impact on the practice of emergency medicine. Dr. Aufderheide is Professor of Emergency Medicine at The Medical College of Wisconsin. He is Associate Chair for Research Affairs and Director of the National Institutes of Health-funded Resuscitation Research Center and Co-Director of the Adult Translational Research Unit at the Medical College. Dr. Aufderheide is an internationally recognized researcher in emergency cardiac care.
1990s
Eric Woodard, MD, Fel ’91, has been appointed Chief Medical Officer of InVivo Therapeutics Corporation, a medical device company based in Cambridge, Mass., focused on restoring function in individuals paralyzed by traumatic spinal cord injury. Dr. Woodard will retain his post as Chief of Neurosurgery at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston.
Daniel Worman, MD ’92, is one of seven emergency physicians in the U.S. to receive a 2008 National Faculty Teaching Award from the American College of Emergency Physicians. The award is in recognition of his dedication and innovation in teaching. Dr. Worman is Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at The Medical College of Wisconsin and Assistant Director of the Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Stroke Center.
Jennifer Thomas, MD ’93, GME ’96, is a general pediatrician at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare in Racine, Wis. She is a specialist in breastfeeding medicine, a board-certified lactation consultant and was just elected Vice-Chief of the Chapter Breastfeeding coordinators for the Section on Breastfeeding for the American Academy of Pediatrics. She will assume Chief responsibilities later in the year. Dr. Thomas was also recognized as a Fellow of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine in 2008. She is currently pursuing an MPH degree from The Medical College of Wisconsin. Her activities also include distance running and maintaining her Web site, www.drjen4kids.com. She and her husband, psychiatrist Upton Thomas, MD ’00, GME ’04, have three sons.
Subhajit Datta, MD, Fel ’94, has joined the medical staff of Marion General Hospital in Marion, Ohio. A cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Datta provides open-heart surgery and angioplasty services. He is associated with CRB of Ohio, Inc., in Columbus.
Jerald Marifke, MD ’94, GME ’97, has been appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology, Metabolism and Clinical Nutrition) at The Medical College of Wisconsin and to the medical staff of Froedtert Hospital. Dr. Marifke’s clinical interests include evaluation and management of male hypogonadism.
Yan Zhang, PhD ’94, has joined NuGen Technologies, Inc., as Vice President of Marketing. Based in San Carolos, Calif., NuGen is a privately held company that develops and commercializes nucleic acid amplification and sample preparation systems. In the position, Dr. Zhang is responsible for leading NuGen’s growing presence in small and/or degraded RNA sample preparation solutions in addition to new, strategic markets for the company’s flagship amplification technology.
Mark Howard, MD ’95, has joined the medical staff at Progress West HealthCare Center in O’Fallon, Mo. Dr. Howard is a family practitioner and a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine. His clinical interests include pediatrics, sports medicine, preventive care, weight management and osteoporosis.
Army Lt. Col. Michael K. Rosner, MD ’95, was recognized by the Green Bay Packers at the Dec. 28, 2008, football game vs. the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field as part of Operation Fan Mail. Dr. Rosner is Chief of Neurosurgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He also is Program Director for the National Capital Consortium Neurological Surgery residency program and Director of the military’s Blast Spinal Column Injury Program. He was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, in 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the 207th Neurosurgery Team attached to the 86th Combat Support Hospital. Operation Fan Mail is a program of the Packers and Festival Foods that recognizes military families at each Packers home game and salutes the family on the field during pre-game activities. Dr. Rosner is pictured at the game with his wife, Maj. Inger Rosner, and two sons, Jacob and Nate.
Thomas Heinrich, MD ’96, GME ’01, has been appointed Vice Chairman for Clinical Services in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at The Medical College of Wisconsin, where he is an Associate Professor. In this position, he oversees development of the department’s academic specialty and subspecialty clinical programs. Dr. Heinrich also serves as Chief of Consultation Psychiatry at Froedtert Hospital and Director of the Division of Psychosomatic Medicine.
Charles E. Cady, MD ’97, has been appointed Medical Director of the Wisconsin Emergency Medicine Services (EMS) and Trauma Care System. Dr. Cady is Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at The Medical College of Wisconsin, which was awarded the contract for this state system. Dr. Cady is also the Medical Director for the Kenosha Fire Department, Assistant Director of Medical Services for the Milwaukee County EMS system and Medical Director for the Workplace Automatic Defibrillator Program.
Stephen Kurtin, MD ’97, GME ’02, and his wife, Traci, have relocated back to Wisconsin after practicing medicine in Phoenix, Ariz., for the last six years. Dr. Kurtin has joined the Blount Orthopaedic Clinic in Milwaukee. He and Traci have four children – Lindsay, Mackenzie, Maya and Brendan.
George Harold Waxter, MD ’97, is continuing his work as a locum tenens physician in Hawaii, now on the island of Oahu. Originally working as a hospitalist, he is now in various outpatient clinics there. Dr. Waxter has also engaged in ocean swimming to several offshore islands, hiking and cliff jumping as well as a shark cage dive and a swim with dolphins.
Stephen Martinez, MD ’98, has been appointed Medical Director of Occupational Medicine at Primary Health Medical Group. He serves as Director of Urgent Care for the group and sees patients at the group’s specialist center in Boise, Idaho. Dr. Martinez is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Marcie Berger, MD, GME ’99, has been appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine) at The Medical College of Wisconsin and to the medical staff of Froedtert Hospital. Dr. Berger’s clinical interests include catheter-based treatments for atrial fibrillation and pacing therapies for congestive heart failure.
Anand Krishnan, MD ’99, completed a fellowship in pediatric neurology at University of California-San Francisco in 2006. He has since been practicing at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland, Calif. He is married to Kristine Krishnan (since 2003) and they have two children, Dhalia, 3, and Safiyah, 1.
2000s
John Houle, MD ’00, completed his plastic surgery residency at Southern Illinois University in 2006. He earned board-certification in 2008 and is currently in private practice in St. Cloud, Minn. Dr. Houle specializes in microsurgical free-tissue transfer and body contouring surgery. He has one son, 5-year-old William, and he continues to enjoy hunting and fishing.
Chad Huberty, MD ’00, finished his family practice residency at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in 2003 followed by a year of locum tenens work as both an outpatient clinician and hospitalist in Tappahannock, Va., Hagerstown, Md., and Myrtle Beach, S.C. While in Myrtle Beach in 2004, he was offered an opportunity to take over the practice of an internist who was moving away. Dr. Huberty has since been in private practice with Carolina Health Specialists, a large, multispecialty group. He married Wendi (a Myrtle Beach native) in June 2008.
Cresta Wedel Jones, MD ’01, recently completed a fellowship in maternal-fetal medicine at the University of Vermont. She has begun work as an attending perinatologist with the Wheaton Franciscan Group in Milwaukee.
Trevor Miller, MD ’01, has been appointed Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Medical College of Wisconsin and to the medical staffs of Froedtert Hospital and Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Dr. Miller is a perinatologist caring for high-risk patients, and his clinical interests include bleeding or clotting disorders as well as kidney and cardiovascular complications in pregnancy.
Arvind P. Pathak, PhD ’01, is Assistant Professor of Radiology and Oncology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Carley Davis, MD ’02, has been appointed Assistant Professor of Urology at The Medical College of Wisconsin and to the medical staff of Froedtert Hospital. Her clinical interests include general urology and treatment of kidney stones.
Peter Drobac, MD ’02, is working with Partners in Health (PIH), a social justice organization that aims to improve health in some of the world’s poorest settings. He is an internist, pediatrician and infectious disease specialist in the Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. In addition to teaching social medicine at Harvard and serving as a faculty advisor to the Harvard Global Health Delivery Project, Dr. Drobac works with PIH to strengthen the health system in Rwanda.
Ruta Bajorunaite, PhD ’03, has been appointed Assistant Professor of Population Health (Biostatistics) at The Medical College of Wisconsin. Her research interests include survival analysis and competing risks. She previously held an adjunct faculty position at the College and was assistant professor of mathematics and computer science at Marquette University.
Nima Shemirani, MD ’04, was a member of a three-person team of Medical College of Wisconsin Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences residents that won the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation’s second annual Academic Bowl. The competition involved four teams that competed in a clinically oriented test of knowledge. Also on the team were Chris Cederberg, MD, and Ericka King, MD.
William R. Smith, MD, GME ’04, was named the University of Wyoming’s College of Health Sciences’ 2008 outstanding alumnus for its Division of Medical Education. Dr. Smith was part of the inaugural WWAMI medical school class (a publicly supported medical education partnership between Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, Idaho and the University of Washington School of Medicine). Dr. Smith was chief resident during his training at The Medical College of Wisconsin and is board-certified in emergency medicine. He is now Medical Director for Grand Teton National Park, Teton County Search and Rescue, and Jackson Hole Fire/EMS. A major in the U.S. Army Reserve, he was expected to complete his second deployment to Iraq in January.
Brad Thiel, MD ’04, has been appointed Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at The Medical College of Wisconsin and to the medical staff of Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center. His clinical interests include adult psychiatry.
Seth Foldy, MD, MPH ’05, has been appointed to the Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Effectiveness of National Biosurveillance Systems. Dr. Foldy is Associate Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine and Population Health at The Medical College of Wisconsin.
Betsy Manor, MD ’05, has been appointed Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine at The Medical College of Wisconsin and to the medical staff of Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital. Her clinical interests include maternity care, reproductive health and adolescent medicine.
Elizabeth (Nelson) Miller, MD ’05, is currently Chief Medicine Resident at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine and will begin a pulmonary/critical care fellowship there in July 2009.
Priya Pais, MD, GME ’05, has been appointed Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nephrology at The Medical College of Wisconsin and to the medical staff of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. Her clinical interests include treatment of acute and chronic kidney disease in children, related heart complications and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to manage high blood pressure.
Joseph Bovi, MD, GME ’07, has been appointed Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology at The Medical College of Wisconsin and to the medical staff of Froedtert Hospital. Dr. Bovi’s clinical interests include general radiation oncology and, specifically, tumors of the central nervous system.
Niles Roberts, MD, GME ’07, has been named the 2008 recipient of the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine’s Golseth Young Investigator Award. Dr. Roberts’ project, Measuring Sensory Nerve Action Potential Electrical Power, was selected from among many applicants for the award, which is presented annually for original research in clinical neurophysiology. Dr. Roberts is a research fellow in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at The Medical College of Wisconsin.
Titus Chang, MD, Fel ’08, has joined the Department of Allergy at Dreyer Medical Clinic of Aurora, Ill. Dr. Chang’s clinical interests include allergy and immunology, childhood asthma and food allergies, and immune deficiencies. He is also affiliated with Provena Mercy and Rush-Copley Medical Centers.
Gagan Kumar, MD, MA, Fel ’08, has been appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine (General Internal) at The Medical College of Wisconsin and to the medical staff of Froedtert Hospital. Dr. Kumar’s clinical interests include inpatient hospital medicine. His research interests include hearing sciences.
Horatiu Olteanu, MD, PhD, Fel ’08, has been appointed Assistant Professor of Pathology at The Medical College of Wisconsin and to the medical staff of Froedtert Hospital. Dr. Olteanu’s clinical interests include diagnostic hematopathology. His research interests include exploring new ways to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of blood diseases through a combination of methods, such as molecular analysis.