Physicians Hall Front

Doctor David A. Margolis Selected for Doctor Bruno Lambert Good Guy in Sports Award

Jan. 4, 2022 MCW NewsDr. David A. Margolis has a reputation both in and out of his roles at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Wisconsin. He’s a good guy.

“I am confident that we could successfully nominate Dr. Margolis for a ‘good guy in medicine award,’ a ‘good guy on campus award,’ a ‘good guy in Milwaukee award,’ or even an ‘all-around good guy award’ as well the national ‘good guy in sports’ honor he has just received,” said Dr. John R. Raymond, Sr., President and CEO, Medical College of Wisconsin.

While there hasn’t yet been an award for all-around good guy, Margolis, Professor of Pediatrics, Interim Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at MCW and Program Director, Bone Marrow Transplant, Children's Wisconsin, is being honored by the Jewish Sports Heritage Association (JSHA) for something similar.

Margolis has been selected as this year’s recipient of The Dr. Bruno Lambert Good Guy in Sports Award from the JSHA after the organization took note of his green-haired Milwaukee Bucks tradition.

About 15 years ago, Margolis, an avid Bucks fan, began letting his pediatric oncology patients dye his hair green if the Bucks made it into the playoffs. While the dye tradition carried on for years, it wasn’t until last season’s momentous playoffs run that the media took notice.

It was then that the Bucks’ playoff success led to the team’s first NBA championship title in nearly 50 years and ESPN featured Margolis and his green-haired tradition. As the national spotlight focused on the Bucks over the summer, ESPN extended that light over Margolis, or “Dr. Dave” as he’s called, and his brave patients.

“My patients are often very sick and having a goal or something to look forward to can really lift their spirits,” Margolis said. “I’m honored that this tradition, born out of my Bucks fandom, can bring joy to my patients and that the JSHA recognizes the sports-inspired team mentality behind it.”

The JSHA is a non-profit educational organization with a mission to educate the public about the role Jewish men and women have played, and continue to play, in the world of sports, an area of Jewish accomplishment often overlooked. Dr. Bruno Lambert was a Holocaust survivor, liberator, world class athlete, internist, and spouse to Margaret Lambert, who should have competed at the 1936 Olympics for Germany but was denied because she was Jewish.

Praise for Margolis is echoed throughout MCW, Children’s Wisconsin and the associated leadership teams. Mara Lord, Senior Vice President, University Engagement and Strategic Planning at MCW, shared her congratulations in a note to Margolis.

“We are so grateful for you, your effervescence, and your deep commitment to our community,” Lord wrote. “Congratulations on this wonderful and well-deserved recognition!”

The award will be presented at a ceremony held on May 1, 2022. Ten Jewish greats from the world of sports will be inducted and five others will receive individual awards, including Margolis, at the 4th Annual Induction Ceremony.

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