Chairman's Message
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Diane W. Braza, MD, as the Interim Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for The Medical College of Wisconsin, effective October 1, 2011. Dr. Braza currently serves as the Associate Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at The Medical College of Wisconsin. She is also Residency Program Director for the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Medical Director of SpineCare.
Dr. Braza was chosen for the interim chair position after an internal interview process; I am very grateful to the individuals who gave generously of their time and insights to help us through the search. We expect to launch a national search shortly for a new Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Dr. Braza received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1983 and her MD degree from The Medical College of Wisconsin in 1987. She served an internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee in 1987-1988, and residencies at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Internal Medicine between 1988 and 1992. Dr. Braza joined the faculty of The Medical College of Wisconsin in 1992 as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Dr. Braza is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. She completed The Medical College of Wisconsin Docere fellowship program in 2010 and was recently inducted into the Medical College's Society of Teaching Scholars.
Dr. Braza has published more than 25 articles and abstracts, and has participated in several workshops internationally. Her current Medical College committee memberships include the MCWAH Graduate Medical Education Committee; Committee on Development of Clinical Best Practices for Management of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain; PM&R Education Committee; PM&R Promotions and Academic Progress Committee; and the PM&R Ad Hoc Advisory Committee.
Dr. Braza has significant medical student teaching experience as both a course director and a clinical rotation director. She also has served as a course director and lecturer for numerous residents and fellows in areas including physiatric therapeutics and spine care, and has lectured at both Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee concerning spine care and lumbar disc herniation.
We also wish a thank-you and farwell to Timothy R. Dillingham, MD, MS, who will be leaving The Medical College of Wisconsin at the end of September to assume the role of William J. Erdman, II Professorship and Chairman for the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Dr. Dillingham joined The Medical College of Wisconsin in 2003 as Professor and Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, as well as Chief of Rehabilitation Services at Froedtert Hospital. His sound leadership and commitment to the highest standards of medical excellence has resonated throughout the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and the Medical College as a whole.
Sincerely,
Joseph E. Kerschner, MD
Interim Dean and Executive Vice President