Welcome to the Medical College of Wisconsin Allergy and Immunology Fellowship Program

A Message from Our Program Director
We have an outstanding fellowship program that is set apart from others by a few unique aspects. Unlike many other academic programs, here at MCW we see children and adults all in the same clinic. This is an amazing way to train in Allergy/Immunology as our team (attendings, fellows, advance practice providers, nurses and medical assistants) and location are always consistent. Additionally, our faculty, all of whom practice primarily in our main clinic and see patients of all ages, have expertise in the entire gamut of allergic and immunologic diseases as well as in the whole spectrum of academic and scholarly activity including basic, clinical, and translation research, quality improvement, and medical education. We are a medium-sized section which devotes a lot of individualized attention to each one of our fellows. Another strength of our program is dedicated time for teaching and learning each Friday afternoon. Our goal is to support each of our trainees to help them grow, develop, and learn as a clinician and a human being so that ultimately, they are prepared to succeed in the field of allergy and immunology. While our expectation is that our fellows work hard, we also expect that our fellows will work together with each other and our faculty and have fun both inside and outside of work.
Program Director
As an Allergy and Immunology fellow you will...
- Develop the skills and expertise to independently practice as an allergist and clinical immunologist in an academic or community-based practice.
- Attain a comprehensive and robust clinical experience caring for patients of all ages in outpatient clinics and inpatient consults.
- Complete a scholarly project based on your interests and with supportive mentorship.
- Work with an accomplished and collaborative team in the Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology consisting of eight faculty with a passion for educating future allergists and immunologists.
About Our Institutions
Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW)
The Medical College of Wisconsin brings together the most inquisitive minds in science, medicine, education and community engagement to solve the toughest challenges in health and society today. Academic medicine is at the core, where scientists, physicians and students work hand-in-hand with the community to ask the questions no one else is and fuel the continuous cycle of knowledge that’s shaping the future of medicine.
Children’s Wisconsin
Children’s Wisconsin is the region’s only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. We offer a wide range of care and support for children of all ages. Our services include medical care, dental care, child and family counseling, foster care, adoption, social services, child advocacy and injury prevention.
About Our Fellowship
Our program has been in place since 1985 and was reaccredited by the ACGME in 2024. We accept 2 fellows per year for a total of 2 years of fellowship training.
Our Spaces and Faces
I went to MCW for residency and chose to stay for fellowship because I felt well supported by the people in our allergy and immunology department. During residency, the faculty provided me with the resources and guidance I needed to succeed. Whether it was though mentorship in research or individualized teaching during clinics, I always felt that our attendings truly cared for my academic growth. Milwaukee is a mid-sized city with plenty to do and has great cost of living. I especially love spending time outdoors here during the summertime; hiking/ biking trails, parks, and the lakefront are some of my favorite places here.
Ilakkiya Thanigaivelan, MD
Meet Our Team

Barry Joel Pelz, MD
Assistant Professor; Program Director, Allergy and Immunology Fellowship

Leslie M. Gimenez, MD
Associate Professor; Associate Program Director, Allergy and Immunology Fellowship

Hayley Severson, MLIS
Education Program Coordinator II
Contact Us
Barry Pelz, MD
Assistant Professor
Program Director, Allergy and Immunology Fellowship
bpelz@mcw.edu
(414) 266-6840
Leslie Gimenez, MD
Associate Professor
Associate Program Director, Allergy and Immunology Fellowship
lgimenez@mcw.edu
(414) 266-6840
Hayley Severson
Fellowship Coordinator
hseverson@mcw.edu