Milwaukee, Jan. 18, 2024 – The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Consortium on Public and Community Health (the Consortium) has appointed two new members to the nine-member body that provides oversight of the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment’s (AHW’s) investments and support of community and public health partnerships and projects.

Paula Tran and Catherine Kolkmeier joined the Consortium as of Jan. 1, 2024. Tran is the state health officer and administrator of the Division of Public Health at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. She has served in a variety of roles with government, nonprofits, and academic organizations. She was recently selected by the de Beaumont Foundation as one of its Class of 2023 40 Under 40 in Public Health Leaders.

Kolkmeier is the executive director of the Medical Health Science Consortium in La Crosse. She brings experience from academic research, private sector business, service provider, and nonprofit perspectives to the oversight board. She also has experience working with AHW, having received funding for projects dating back to 2007, and recently participating in AHW’s Advancing Behavioral Health Initiative.

The new members’ nominations to the Consortium were approved by the MCW Board of Trustees on Nov. 17, 2023, to replace Joy Tapper of the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership and Lieske Giese of the Eau Claire County Health Department, both of whom elected to step down from their board positions after more than a decade of dedicated service.

“We are delighted to have two seasoned and well-connected public health leaders join the MCW Consortium on Public and Community Health,” said Consortium Chair Rebecca Rice. “It is important that our work reflect wide-ranging perspectives on the best strategies to improve health across Wisconsin. Paula’s and Catherine’s rich experience serving communities throughout the state and their insights on public health collaboration models and workforce development will help AHW tackle persistent and emerging health challenges affecting people and communities in Wisconsin.”

Paula Tran

Catherine Kolkmeier