Dr. Thomas Sato to Retire June 30

Dr. Thomas Sato has announced his plan to retire, effective June 30, 2022. Dr. Sato’s legacy as an academic surgeon leader is immeasurable. Throughout his career, he has led by example, demonstrated a high degree of emotional intelligence, and taught many to overcome adversity with collegiality, confidence and determination.

Dr. Sato has worked with the Pediatric Surgery team at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Wisconsin for over 24 years, joining the division in 1997. He is widely recognized by his peers as a surgeon and clinician with exceptional skill and excellent judgment, a true master surgeon.

During his tenure at MCW and CW, Dr. Sato was instrumental in advancing both the education and research missions. He served as the Program Director for the Pediatric Surgery Training Program and Medical Director for the Physician Assistant Program which became highly coveted training programs under his leadership. He also is a founding member of the Midwest Pediatric Surgery Consortium, which is comprised of eleven pediatric academic medical centers that collaborate in research and have had a profound impact on the health and wellbeing in children with surgical diseases.

In addition to his clinical and academic roles, Dr. Sato served as President and CEO of Children’s Specialty Group from 2014-2020. During his tenure, he was instrumental to the advancement of Children’s Specialty Group to become one of the largest and most prestigious pediatric specialty practice groups in the nation. As a result of Dr. Sato’s vision for the new affiliation agreement, the pediatric specialty practice will remain preeminent for the future.