Madison Residents

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Third year

  1. Amy Bauman DO

    A Madison native, Amy Bauman earned her Bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of Wisconsin and her medical degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. While studying abroad in Spain as an undergraduate, she completed a medical internship that provided her the opportunity to learn Spanish medical terminology. After graduation, her proficiency in Spanish, as well as her deep-seated commitment to the underserved, inspired her to work as a social worker and Spanish medical interpreter at Access Community Health Center in Madison. In this dual role, she was able to see first-hand how the social and cultural aspects of patients' lives can impact their physical health. Amy's experiences at Access led her to seek out similar volunteer opportunities in medical school, such as providing medical Spanish instruction to fellow medical students and participating in health fairs for migrant workers. In addition to her interest in the social and cultural contexts of health care, Amy also has a strong interest in integrative medicine and the influence of spirituality on the healing process. In her free time, Amy enjoys gymnastics, yoga, Pilates, traveling, camping, hiking, and spending time with her family and friends.

  2. James B Bigham MD

    Shorewood, WI

    James Bigham came from Milwaukee to the University of Wisconsin - Madison to study Zoology and Religious Studies. Along with attending medical school here, he has also spent the last year working on his M.P.H. at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. During his first year of medical school, he went on his first of four trips to Kenya to work with women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. In Kenya he learned the importance of creating a true partnership with the patients he saw to help them not only become well-informed, but to also develop a desire to take responsibility for their own health. The experiences he had in Kenya motivated him to volunteer in local high schools as a Junior Health Update speaker, where he taught high school students about topics such as sexuality and drug abuse. Along with teaching the students about these specific topics, he also held a Q&A forum to provide them a safe venue for asking questions about sexual health where they knew they would receive accurate information. In his spare time, James enjoys international travel, scuba diving, wilderness backpacking, and canoeing. Closer to home, his interests include disc golf, gardening, cooking, and reading.

  3. Nicole Bonk MD

    Nicole Bonk grew up grew up in Aurora, Illinois and graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where she studied Science Professional Studies. After graduation, she spent one year working as a house assistant at L'Arche Syracuse, a residential community in Syracuse, New York for adults with developmental disabilities. In addition to house management, Nicole's responsibilities included advocacy, development of daily and long-term rehabilitation plans, and healthcare for the residents. Her work at L'Arche Syracuse cultivated her interest in developmental disabilities that continued with her during medical school at Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. In her second year of medical school, she began working with L'Arche Chicago, another of the residential communities located across the United States. By her fourth year at Loyola, she served on the Board of Directors, the fundraising committee, and the community council, which is the advisory board to the executive director. She has also represented the community at regional and national meetings. Outside of medicine, Nicole's interests include learning conversational Spanish, playing tennis, biking, camping, and skiing.

  4. Tim Caramore MD

    Tim Caramore comes to Madison from Albany, New York, where he grew up and attended medical school at Albany Medical College. Tim focused on both the sciences and liberal arts during his undergraduate years at the University of Richmond in Virginia, where he studied Chemistry and Philosophy. This blending of interests followed him into medical school, where he served as an editor for AMC Student Perspectives and Activism, a student-run newspaper that prints creative and informative works of the medical students at Albany Medical College. Along with these academic pursuits, his desire to help patients discover ways to take charge of their health, especially through exercise, was fostered through his volunteer activities. He was a guest lecturer at a local middle school, presenting information to the students on healthy living and careers in medicine on their annual career day. During his first year at AMC, he also became a member, and eventually an official, of the Running Club and helped organize weekly running workouts for his fellow students, allowing for a structured time for exercise. Along with running, Tim interests include contemporary short fiction, philosophy, poetry, modern and contemporary art, public radio, the outdoors, travel, cycling, yoga, trees, and gardening.

  5. Caitlin D'Agata MD

    Originally from Methuen, Massachusetts, Caitlin D'Agata attended McGill University in Montreal during her undergraduate years, where she earned her Bachelor's in Biology. She then spent time at Northeastern University in Boston studying Spanish and American Sign Language before entering the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Even while attending medical school, she still found time to continue her study of American Sign Language at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, where she also volunteered as an elementary school tutor for three Deaf students at the school. Work such as this led Caitlin to her interest in working with people with disabilities, and she pursued the Disabilities Area of Concentration in medical school to learn more about the unique and complicated health and social needs of patients with disabilities. She has taken on the role of student coordinator of this program, which has allowed her to focus on the scholarly activities, such as planning a monthly lecture series, and hands-on activities, such as facilitating volunteer work between medical students and patients with disabilities. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys playing softball, volleyball, and Ultimate Frisbee.

  6. Masaru Furukawa MD, MS - PGY-3

    Essex, Vermont

    Masaru Furukawa grew up in College Township, Pennsylvania. He earned both a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University before attending the University of Vermont College of Medicine. Following medical school, he completed a one-year clinical research experience at the University of Vermont General Clinical Research Center. As a principal investigator, he conceived and developed a research protocol for conducting responsible and rigorous research with human volunteers. In addition to his research interests, Masaru is also deeply committed to helping patients achieve better health through increased physical activity and other lifestyle changes. During medical school, he found ways to help young people become active by volunteering as a ski coach for high school students in Vermont. He also became the Youth Racer Program Coordinator for the Green Mountain Multisport Club in Burlington, which provided financial assistance to local youth interested in sports. He has also coached soccer and track at both the high school and college level. Masaru is committed to keeping himself active, as well - he has completed five Ironman triathlons, three Half Ironman triathlons, and 13 marathons so far.

  7. Sarah GaleWyrick MD

    Born in Eau Claire, Sarah GaleWyrick grew up in rural Wisconsin and came to the University of Wisconsin - Madison to study History of Science. She stayed on to complete her medical training at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. The influences that helped her choose family medicine came from both home and abroad. Growing up, her father was a family physician in her hometown, and she saw the impact a single doctor can have on a community and its health. Later on in life, during her second year of medical school, she was one of ten students selected nationally to travel to England, Ireland, and Germany as part of the AMSA European Study Tour. While abroad, the group met with doctors, medical students, and patients to learn about the universal health care systems of those countries. She also spent six weeks as an intern in a department of public health in the U.K. and won the Bjorn Lund Scholar medical externship at the University of Oslo. These experiences in Europe have driven her to look at the universal health care systems there as a potential part of the solution to the health care problems in the United States. When Sarah finds herself with some free time, she enjoys leisure reading, traveling, hiking, and baking.

  8. Allison Hotujec MD

    Allison Hotujec is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She came to Madison to study biology at the University of Wisconsin and stayed to complete her medical training at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. During her time in Madison, Allison came to realize she enjoyed both learning and teaching. As she finished her time as an undergraduate, Allison completed a project for the Wisconsin Idea Fellowship that taught high school students about the scientific method in a fun, inquiry-based manner. During medical school, she participated in the Doctors Ought to Care program, where she traveled to elementary and high schools in the Madison area to teach students about health and the human body. Her passion for teaching was again ignited during her family medicine rotations, where she enjoyed the opportunity to educate patients about a wide range of topics relevant to their health. As a medical student, Allison also volunteered with the local MEDiC clinics, was active in Medical Students for Choice, and spent a month working with a mobile medical clinic in Guatemala. Allison's other interests in life include exploring new cities and restaurants, traveling, scuba diving, playing the flute, exercising, and spending time with her husband Brian, who is a resident in the OB/Gyn program.

  9. Megan Jensen MD

    Megan Jensen grew up in Madison and completed both her undergraduate and medical degrees at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. While growing up, she found a model of steady support in her family physician, who was present for the happy moments in her family, such as births, as well as the more difficult events. She knew when she decided to become a physician that she wanted to offer the same kind of continuity and comprehensive family health care. Megan also found during medical school that she wanted the opportunity to work with diverse patient populations, and she was an active volunteer with one of the local MEDiC clinics that offers healthcare services for the uninsured and underinsured. She also had an interest in women’s health care, leading to an interest group that hosted talks on OB/Gyn topics, and completed a research project about local provider’s views of the HPV vaccine around the time of its approval. She plans to pursue a career in family medicine with a focus on prenatal care and preventative medicine. Outside of medicine, Megan enjoys spending time with her husband Brian and German Shepard Nola, being outdoors, fishing, hiking, spending time in Northern Wisconsin, and, of course, the Green Bay Packers. Brian and Megan are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child in the fall of 2010.

  10. Anne Kolan MD

    A Madison native, Anne Kolan earned Bachelor's degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and she completed her medical degree at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. One of the interests she developed in medical school was integrative medicine, especially the idea of finding alternative approaches to the treatment of chronic and debilitating conditions. She participated in the Healer's Art Elective and the Complementary Medicine Elective offered at UWSMPH, and she was co-president of the Integrative Medicine Interest Group, where she helped organize the first Integrative Wellness Fair and helped create a network and database of local alternative medicine practitioners. She also participated in a week-long retreat at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies through the AMSA's Leadership Training Program in Complimentary and Alternative Medicine. Another strong interest for Anne is international health, inspired by her travels in South America. She is a devoted distance runner, with four marathons under her belt. She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, and outdoor activities such as gardening, hiking, and camping.

  11. David M Lessens MD, MPH

    Shelby, Michigan

    Dave Lessens is originally from Shelby, Michigan. He studied Anthropology and Zoology at the University of Michigan as an undergraduate, and he continued at the University of Michigan for his medical training. Between his third and fourth years of medical school, he also completed his M.P.H. at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. While at Hopkins, he pursued a customized program in nutrition and global environmental sustainability, a strong area of interest for him that was initially sparked through his work on a cherry farm during his college years. As a medical student, he was also troubled to encounter obese patients with poor access to wholesome and nutritious foods, and this further inspired his work in this area. While working on his M.P.H, Dave served as a research assistant with the Baltimore Healthy Stores project, a project aimed at enhancing health and preventing obesity by increasing the supply of healthy foods in low-income Baltimore neighborhoods. Along with his passion for nutrition and sustainability issues, Dave also has a strong interest in integrative medicine. Outside of medicine, Dave enjoys making pancakes, backpacking, wrestling with his dog, and Bikram yoga.

  12. Kristen Prewitt DO

    Kristen Prewitt completed her B.A. at the University of Virginia and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. She brings to family medicine a passion for teaching and Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine. As an OMM Undergraduate Fellow at Des Moines University, Kristen taught first and second-year students in a lecture and lab setting, and she presented a variety of lectures to different audiences on the history, philosophy, and application of osteopathic medicine. Kristen also has a strong commitment to addressing the needs of underserved populations and participated in events such as the Community Medicine night at DMU to provide free health screening and education. She has traveled to Washington DC to lobby senators and representatives on various health care issues, and service work has been an important component of her medical education. As an undergraduate, Kristen majored in English Language and Literature, and reading and writing remain among her favorite pastimes. During medical school, she was editor of The Abaton, the annual literature and arts journal of Des Moines University. She also enjoys running, traveling, meditation, and spending time with friends and family.

  13. John Ray MD

    John Ray grew up in Kilgore, Texas and earned a B.A. in Liberal Arts at Northwestern State University in Louisiana. After his undergraduate years, John went on a self-described "soul-searching quest to return to the roots of his dirt-farming ancestors in east Texas" - a journey that led him to Camp Tyler, a farm owned by the Independent School District of Tyler, Texas. It was here that he was able to combine his love of nature and animals with his passion for working with people with special needs. After six years at Camp Tyler, John entered medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch, where he continued his work with youth and adults with special needs. He served as a counselor at Rainbow Connection Camp, a residential camp for children with cancer and blood disorders, and he volunteered at ARC of Smith County, a camp for people with developmental disabilities. John also has a strong interest in integrative medicine, and during medical school he co-founded and directed the Pharmaceutical Awareness Group. When he has spare time, John enjoys playing the banjo, teaching music, bird watching, cooking, woodworking, and agricultural work of just about any kind.

  14. Shannon Reed DO

    After earning a B.A. in English from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Shannon completed her medical degree at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Throughout medical school, Shannon participated in multiple outreach and medical assistance programs, providing medical exams and information to underserved populations in Tulsa and the surrounding communities. She was also an active volunteer at H.O.P.E. Testing Clinic in Tulsa, where she provided counseling and testing for those affected by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. In addition to her commitment to the underserved, Shannon has a strong interest in teaching. She has tutored and taught medical students in anatomy, histology, and clinical problem solving classes, and she was the Stress Management Program Facilitator for first-year medical students at OSU. Shannon spent a transitional year honing her skills for residency through an Osteopathic Internship at Saint Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, Ohio before coming to Madison. She enjoys painting and writing poetry, hiking with her two dogs (Chase and Baby Darwin), and spending time with her husband, stepdaughter Autumn, and baby boy Charlie.

  15. Samantha Sharp MD

    Samantha Sharp is from Reno, Nevada and spent her undergraduate years at the University of Montana, where she studied Journalism. She then spent time substitute teaching and traveling to Africa and Europe before returning to Reno to complete her medical education at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. Samantha has a strong interest in addiction medicine, and she was selected to work as a summer medical scholar at the Betty Ford Center. This formative experience allowed her to see the Betty Ford Center in action and work one-on-one with family members of addicts as they learned to change their co-dependent behaviors and find their inner strength and resiliency. Samantha also has a passion for teaching, and she served as a Teaching in Medicine instructor, where fourth-year medical students introduce first and second year students to physical examination and history taking. She also was president of the Integrative Medicine Interest Group and traveled to India to learn about ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, homeopathy, and acupressure. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys playing tennis, biking, reading The New Yorker, and traveling. She's also interested in education theory, music, hypnosis, and meditation.

Second year

  1. Stephen Almasi MD

    A Wisconsin native, Steve Almasi earned his bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from UW-Madison before heading west to complete a master’s degree in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. The Badger State ultimately called him back, however, and he earned his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. During medical school, Steve was a regular volunteer at the local MEDiC clinics, and he held a leadership role with Doctors Ought to Care, an organization dedicated to the promotion of healthy lifestyles in young people. He has a strong interest in preventive medicine and is drawn to family medicine as the specialty that best allows doctors to treat the patient rather than the disease. He also has a strong interest in sports medicine, fueled in part by his own passion for exercise. A longtime runner and cross-country skier, he has competed in numerous endurance events, including the Chicago Marathon, the American Birkebeiner, and the 2007 Wisconsin Ironman. He also enjoys traveling and has taken several extended backpacking trips in wilderness areas throughout North and South America.

  2. Jensena Carlson MD

    Jensi Carlson grew up in Wisconsin and completed both her undergraduate and medical degrees at UW–Madison. Her interest in family medicine was affirmed as a third-year medical student, when she completed a five-month longitudinal rural rotation in Black River Falls, WI (population 3,600). She worked with the 14 family physicians at the Krohn Clinic, the sole clinic in Jackson County. The breadth of experience in procedures that the rural clinic afforded, as well as the relationships she was able to build with patients, convinced her that she had found her calling. Throughout medical school, Jensi was active in the Family Medicine Interest Group, and she served as co-leader during her second year. She also volunteered at the student-run MEDiC clinics that serve homeless and uninsured populations in the Madison area. In addition, Jensi was the bassist for the Arrhythmias, a medical school cover band that performed 10 shows during the 2008 school year and raised over $1000 for charities such as MEDiC and Doctors without Borders. Outside of medicine, some of Jensi’s hobbies include running, playing basketball, and music (she plays the bass, piano, and French horn).

  3. LeRose Dhanoa MD

    LeRose Dhanoa hails from Alberta, Canada, and he completed his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Alberta in Edmonton. He attended medical school at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, initially assuming he would pursue a career in psychiatry. Ultimately, however, family medicine emerged as a better fit, given his interest in treating the whole person. LeRose has a strong interest in working with people with disabilities, and he has worked and volunteered with children and adults with disabilities in many different contexts. During college, he worked at Elves Special Need Society and I have a Chance Support Services, both organizations that provide day programs for adults with a wide range of disabilities. He also mentored a young boy with autism as part of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program of Edmonton. During medical school, he volunteered with several organizations that address the needs of the homeless, including Jeff HOPE, a student-run group that provides medical care for homeless shelters across the Philadelphia area. LeRose speaks fluent French, Punjabi, and Hindi, and his hobbies include waterpolo, muay thai training, swimming, snowboarding, football, running, and travel.

  4. Kelita Fox MD

    Originally from Ontario, Canada, Kelita Fox completed both her undergraduate and medical degrees at Wayne State University in Detroit. Her interest in preventive medicine and counseling initially drew her to family medicine, and she comes to the specialty with a long history of community service and outreach. As a medical student, she served as a team leader for the Back 2 School Rally, a health fair organized for Detroit youth to encourage healthy habits, and she taught science lessons to school children as part of the Reach Out To Youth campaign. Kelita also was a frequent volunteer at the Huda Clinic and the Joy-Southfield clinic, both free clinics for the uninsured in Detroit. Even before entering medical school, she frequently found herself in medical settings as an ER volunteer and a children’s hospital volunteer. In addition to her professional interests, Kelita is an avid volleyball player; she played for the Wayne State University team as an undergraduate, and she continues to play competitively on various community and intramural teams. She has also studied violin throughout her life, and she enjoys traveling, camping, and listening to music of all kinds.

  5. Adrienne Hampton MD

    Adrienne Hampton earned her B.A. in Biology from Longwood University in Virginia and completed her medical degree at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. She was initially drawn to family medicine through her strong interest and investment in the community. Before beginning medical school, she completed an AmeriCorps year of service as an HIV counselor and tester in Washington, DC, where she witnessed firsthand how profoundly social forces shape health outcomes. She also worked as an intern with the Mautner Project in Washington, DC, where she designed and implemented a wellness intervention for African American women who partner with women. During medical school, as an Albert Schweitzer Fellow, she implemented prenatal yoga programs in two low-income Chicago communities to combat the stress experienced by so many of the expectant mothers in those areas. These experiences reaffirmed her calling to family medicine, as well as her ultimate goal of creating an inclusive, family-centered practice that will make a positive difference in the health-status of low-income communities. In her free time, Adrienne’s hobbies include yoga, classical vocal music, and creative writing.

  6. Elizabeth Kvach MD

    Elizabeth Kvach earned her bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies from the University of Oklahoma and completed her medical degree at Yale University. She brings to family medicine a strong commitment to providing primary care to the underserved. During medical school, as a board member for the HAVEN Free Clinic, she helped establish and manage a student-run Saturday clinic that provides free care for the local uninsured, primarily Spanish-speaking immigrants. As an officer for Yale’s Family Medicine Interest Group, she worked to promote primary care by co-coordinating National Primary Care Week and organizing a presentation on working with the Indian Health Service. Elizabeth also has a strong passion and commitment to global health. She completed a graduate degree in Post-War Recovery Studies to better understand the context of health development and reconstruction in countries recovering from armed conflict. She has also studied and worked in South Africa, Jordan, Ghana, Mexico, and Uganda to learn more firsthand about global health inequality and to prepare herself to practice internationally in the future. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping, running, cycling, cooking and baking vegetarian food, and traveling.

  7. Eric Marty MD

    Eric Marty grew up in central Missouri, and he completed both his undergraduate and medical degrees at Creighton University in Nebraska. He originally pursued interests in mathematics and the humanities, but ultimately settled on medicine as the best field to further his commitment to social justice and meaningful action in the world. Throughout medical school, Eric was and active volunteer for several organizations that provide care to the underserved in Omaha, including Healthy Families, Lead-Free Omaha, and the Magis Clinic. He has also volunteered internationally, with at-risk youth in Peru and at temporary medical clinics in remote villages of the Dominican Republic. In the spring of 2010, he was inducted into the Gold Humanism Society for his longstanding commitment to service. A strong advocate for primary care, Eric served as president of Creighton’s Family Medicine Interest Group. He also continues to enjoy the humanities, and he established a Society for the Humanities in Medicine at Creighton. The group meets weekly to discuss literature, poetry, and art concerning medicine, doctoring, patients, and the human condition. Eric married his high school sweetheart, Megan, before moving to Madison to start residency. In his spare time, Eric enjoys reading, writing, running, hiking, playing the cello, dogs, tennis, and virtually anything else that will keep him outside.

  8. Jonathan Meiman MD

    Jon Meiman took an indirect path to medicine. He graduated from Tulane University with double majors in accounting and finance before moving to Washington DC to pursue a career in homeland security. While he enjoyed the scope and challenge of the work, his volunteer experiences at a local emergency room convinced him that a career in medicine would allow him to combine his interest in public policy with his desire to help people on a personal level. He returned to his home state of Alabama to work as a consultant while completing his pre-med coursework, and he earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. As a medical student, he quickly began working to establish the school’s first student-run free clinic. He took a leadership position in the clinic during his first and second years and helped build the groundwork for a lasting organization by creating a sound financial framework, developing an annual report, and helping draft the organization’s first constitution. In recognition of this work, alongside a lifelong pattern of community service, Jon was inducted into the Gold Humanism Society in 2009. In his free time, Jon enjoys reading and international travel. He also has a pilot’s license and takes to the skies whenever time allows.

  9. Katie Ray MD

    Katie Ray completed her bachelor’s degree in Eastern European Studies from the University of Texas in Austin before attending medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Her background in history and literature – a reflection of her interest in people, their stories, their joys and sorrows – makes family medicine a natural fit. A Gold Humanism Honor Society member, Katie has volunteered much of her free time throughout her life to serving others in need. As a high school student, she worked in orphanages in Guatemala, built houses in Mexico and the States, spent time with at-risk youth in Houston, and assisted on medical teams in Nicaragua and Guatemala. During college, she volunteered with Casa Marianella, a temporary home for recent immigrants. As a medical student, she served as director of St. Vincent’s House, a student-run free clinic that provides healthcare for a large portion of Galveston’s working poor. Katie also held a leadership role in her medical school’s global health group, and she has traveled to Kenya and Ecuador in recent years to provide clinical care and health education to remote populations in need. Outside of medicine, Katie deeply enjoys cooking for people, playing and listening to music, riding her bicycle and being outside.

  10. Elizabeth Schaefer MD

    A native of rural Wisconsin, Elizabeth Schaefer earned her B.S. in psychology from Carroll College before heading west to Portland, where she completed her medical degree at Oregon Health Sciences University. Even before entering medical school, Elizabeth spent a good deal of time in medical facilities, working as a Tech Aide and CNA during high school and as a unit secretary in a busy cardiac unit during college. As an undergraduate, Elizabeth also volunteered weekly at the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, where she got a true sense of what it feels like to benefit people at the community level. This interest in community health continued into medical school, where she served on the board of the Multicultural Integrated Kidney Education program and volunteered as part of the annual AMSA “Cover the Uninsured Week.” While Elizabeth is drawn to family medicine for its breadth, she has a special passion for maternal and reproductive health, and she was a member of OSHU’s Medical Students for Choice group. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cycling, discovering music, traveling, and exploring new restaurants with friends.

  11. Benjamin Scherschligt MD

    Benji Scherschligt completed his undergraduate degree in Economics at Valparaiso University in Indiana, and he worked as an economist for five years at the U.S. Department of Labor in Chicago. In spite of this successful start to his career, however, he eventually harkened to the calling of medicine and returned to school in the evenings to finish his pre-med requirements. He returned to school full time in 2006 and earned his medical degree from Loyola University of Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Benji enjoys teaching, and as a medical student he tutored anatomy students and served on the Physiology Course Review Committee. He also has a strong interest in sports medicine, inspired by his own love of athletics (he enjoys playing and watching all sports, especially golf, baseball, basketball, soccer, and football). Growing up in a family of seven, Benji learned early on the value of long-term relationships, and he was initially drawn to family medicine because of its focus on relationships with patients. He is also a generalist at heart, with interests in nearly every subspecialty of medicine. In his free time, Benji enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with his family, and playing the guitar.

  12. William Schupp MD

    Will Schupp’s journey to medicine was nontraditional. He started college in 2001, the year that Enron, Worldcom, and other multi-national corporations collapsed due to fraudulent business practices. He decided to major in Accounting, given his interest in computers, business, and the larger goal of maintaining transparency in the financial markets. After graduation, he worked as a corporate tax auditor for the Minnesota Department of Revenue where he researched and audited corporations with a high likelihood for delinquency, ultimately bringing in over $20 million dollars for the state. During these years, however, Will also began volunteering on a regular basis, and he ultimately decided that a career in medicine, grounded in direct interpersonal relationships with patients, would be a more fulfilling vocation. He attended medical school at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and graduated as part of the Research Distinction Track. In addition to his research interests, Will enjoys teaching and has worked as a tutor and teaching assistant in many different contexts. In his free time, he enjoys reading and writing both fiction and nonfiction. He is also an avid cyclist and has completed two full RAGBRAIs (a ride across Iowa) and various other 100+ mile rides.

  13. Bryan Webster MD

    Bryan Webster earned a B.S. in psychology and a certificate in business from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He had always envisioned a career in law, but his job as a therapist with the Wisconsin Early Autism project persuaded him to shift gears and pursue medicine. He returned to UW for his medical degree and was drawn to family medicine for its diversity of study and unique patient relationships. During medical school, he volunteered with Doctors Ought to Care by giving presentations on smoking prevention and anatomy to elementary school children, and he was an active lobbyist at the capitol for public health initiatives. He also worked as a teaching assistant for the UW Physiology department during the summer session, and he worked as a research assistant for the Department of Psychology throughout his undergraduate studies. In his spare time, Bryan enjoys hiking, camping, sailing, downhill skiing, golf, following Badger Athletics, Canadian walleye fishing, and playing fetch with his two golden retrievers (Elsa and Dawson). He also enjoys music and was a frequent guest Didgeridoo player with the Arrhythmias, the UW medical school cover band.

  14. Anthony Weston MD

    Tony Weston grew up in a small community in northwestern Illinois. He completed his undergraduate degree in finance and pre-med studies from the University of Iowa and earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago. He was initially drawn to family medicine through his diverse medical interests, as well as his desire to provide direct patient care to people of all ages. As a committed volunteer, Tony also embraced family medicine as the best path to gaining the broad skills necessary to address the health needs of underserved communities. During medical school, he was a regular volunteer at the Freedom Center, a Chicago organization that provides basic medical services to men receiving substance abuse rehabilitation services. He also volunteered with several other outreach initiatives, including the Mobile Van (a traveling mission that provides food and basic medical care to the homeless in Chicago) and several back-to-school fairs. Before medical school, he spent several months volunteering full-time for World Relief DuPage, an organization that helps refugees with recently gained citizenship settle into the local community. Outside of work, Tony enjoys spending time with his wife and large immediate family. He also loves cooking, tennis, and travel.

First year

  1. Ann G Barry MD

    Ann Barry returns to Madison after earning her B.A. in Biology from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. Ann has a passion for working with a diverse range of people. She has served as a volunteer lab assistant in Tanzania, an English Language teaching assistant in France, and a resource educator at the OHSU Salvation Army in Portland, OR. Once Ann entered medical school, she discovered that she enjoys working with patients of all ages, especially the elderly. This interest led her to become a leader in Rochester’s Medical Student Aging Interest Group, where she coordinated networking events for students and planned bi-monthly lunchtime lectures with local geriatricians. Ann enjoys international travel, ultimate Frisbee, and just about any activity that will keep her busy outdoors, including hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, cycling, snowshoeing and skiing.

  2. James F Conniff MD

    James Conniff grew up in Connecticut and earned his B.A. in History from Yale University. After spending a year doing research at University of Washington and the Children’s Hospital in Seattle, he traveled back east to attend medical school at Columbia University. Once there, James joined a student advocacy group that provides free and confidential HIV test counseling to anyone affiliated with Columbia University. The unique approach of preventing infection by establishing meaningful, two-way relationships with clients shaped James’ approach to patient care and prevention. In addition to his fine academic and service accomplishments, James is an accomplished vocalist. At Columbia, he was a member of the Ultrasounds, a medical student a cappella group, and in college he was the first tenor and a manager for the world tour of the Whiffenpoofs of Yale, the nation’s oldest collegiate a cappella group.

  3. Elizabeth A Fleming MD

    Originally from North Carolina, Liz Fleming chose Wisconsin for her undergraduate and medical school studies. She earned her B.S. in Biology and Integrated Liberal Studies from UW-Madison and her medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Even though both her parents are family doctors, it was hearing the story of a breast cancer survivor in college that moved her toward a career in medicine. Family Medicine spoke to her because it affords the opportunity to bear witness to patient stories over time. Liz excelled in the Medical Humanities Track at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and her description of working with her mentor earned her publication in the academic journal Family Medicine. Liz also sang with a medical student a cappella group, Chordae Hormonae, and served as a reviewer for the Student British Medical Journal. Along with singing, reading and writing, Liz also enjoys being outdoors and exploring other cultures. She joins the Madison program with her (as of May) husband, Matt Swedlund.

  4. Lisa U Go MD

    Lisa hails from West Virginia, where she earned her undergraduate and medical degrees at West Virginia University. Lisa’s uncle received an early thyroid cancer diagnosis, which reinforced for Lisa that she wanted to practice in a specialty where the connection with patients can help prevent illness all together, or at least reduce the impact through early treatment. Lisa already has a deep understanding of the therapeutic relationship: that the best medicine is provided not just through high-tech diagnostic testing, but through listening to each person and individualizing their care based on that knowledge. Through WVU’s Family Medicine Interest Group, Lisa volunteered and served as a team leader for MUSHROOM (Multidisciplinary Unsheltered Homeless Relief Outreach of Morgantown). This program provides the homeless with food, water, clothing and basic medical intervention. As a third year student, she was nominated for the John Traubert Award, which recognizes a student’s compassion, caring, empathy, and enthusiasm for family medicine.

  5. Thomas W Hahn MD

    While growing up in small-town Wisconsin, Tom Hahn’s parents, both teachers, instilled in him the importance of helping others, serving his community, and, most importantly, the value of education. Tom earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and his medical degree at the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health. As a medical student, Tom volunteered at the Southside MEDiC clinic in Madison, and served on the executive planning committee for the annual Medical Students for Minority Concerns’ health fair to promote wellness and provide free health care screenings. He also found ways to incorporate teaching into his medical school career, giving talks to children in local schools about pertinent health topics through the Doctors Ought to Care (DOC) program, and working as a tutor for first and second year medical students. Tom is a musician, playing the clarinet and piano at two local churches, and has a special gift for sculpting balloon animals.

  6. Taryn A Lawler DO

    Taryn Lawler earned her undergraduate degree at the University of North Dakota before heading to California to complete her medical degree at Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Taryn was drawn to medicine while learning how to overcome language and cultural barriers as a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras. She realized that her experiences could help her empower members of underserved communities to take charge of their health. During medical school, Taryn put her osteopathic manipulation therapy skills to use volunteering at the Suitcase Clinic, a free clinic serving Berkeley’s homeless population. She also volunteered with Rock Med, a division of the Haight-Ashbury Free Clinic, providing free medical care to concert and festival audiences and participants. In her free time, Taryn enjoys hiking, camping and generally being outdoors. She also loves running, dancing, reading, baking, crafts, farmers markets, watching movies and spending time with friends and family.

  7. Jennifer B Mastrocola MD

    Jenn Mastrocola comes to Wisconsin from Connecticut, where she completed both her undergraduate and her medical degree at the University of Connecticut. After earning her B.S. in molecular and cellular biology, she spent two years working as an EMT. It was during this time that she decided to become a family physician in order to best help patients in all times of need. During medical school, Jenn sought opportunities to work with underserved populations, volunteering with the Migrant Farm Workers clinic and a local homeless shelter weekly clinic. These experiences shaped Jenn’s commitment to the underserved and led her to pursue the Urban Service Track, where she improved her skills in cultural competency, linguistics, population health, community resources and quality improvement. Jenn also served her medical school community by acting as a student mentor, assisting first-year students in anatomy, and by participating in an LCME Self-Study committee with the goal of increasing the number of graduates entering primary care.

  8. Mischa B Ronick MD

    Mischa Ronick was born and raised in Colorado and relocated to Portland, Oregon for his undergraduate and medical degrees. Although his major in college was biology, it wasn’t until after graduation working as a volunteer medical assistant with Project Erase, a tattoo-removal program serving former criminals, gang members and others whose appearance limits their ability to reintegrate into society, that he first became captivated with medicine. In medical school, Mischa continued his work with the underserved, volunteering at the Southwest Community Health Center for uninsured patients and the Wallace Medical Concern, which provides health care services to people who face barriers to receiving care due to socioeconomic or other hardships. These experiences were important supplements to his medical education, giving him new perspectives to apply to his coursework. Mischa likes to spend his free time pursuing athletic endeavors such as distance running, bicycling, basketball, golf, soccer, ultimate Frisbee and tennis. He has also found that meditation, along with keeping active, helps him during challenging times.

  9. Karina A Sater MD

    A Madison native, Karina Sater earned her degree in Kinesiology-Exercise Science at UW-Madison before heading to Milwaukee to complete her medical degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Karina’s desire to provide community support for patients led her to develop the Community Partnerships for Health outreach program where medical students provide health-related educational presentations to different communities. She completed a summer internship at Walker’s Point Community Clinic where she helped to implement a new depression screening tool. Karina is eager to learn how to provide excellent care for individual patients during her residency training, but is also interested in pursuing public health training where she can impact health disparities on a broader scale. In her spare time, Karina enjoys outdoor activities, photography, jewelry-making, cooking, traveling and reading.

  10. Andrew B Schmitt MD

    Andrew Schmitt comes to Madison by way of New York, having earned his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before heading to State University of New York Upstate Medical University for medical school. Although he did not enter medical school, or even his clinical rotations, with a sense of which specialty he would ultimately practice, Andrew’s desire to treat each patient as a whole person drew him to family medicine. He connected with the community through medicine and science, whether working at the medical student free clinic or as a science fair mentor to local 5th grade students. During his time in medical school, Andrew also became interested in the link between healthy nutritional choices and the nation’s food culture, farming practices and knowledge of one’s food sources. Outside of medicine, Andrew finds time to make his own beer and wine. He also enjoys restoring and repairing cars, along with racing in autocross competitions.

  11. Matthew P Swedlund MD

    Matt Swedlund grew up in a small farming town in Wisconsin and completed both his undergraduate and medical degrees at UW-Madison. Although he initially wanted to pursue computer science or engineering, Matt fell in love with biological sciences and ultimately was accepted into the Medical Scholars program at the UW. While in medical school, he has found a number of ways to combine his love of medicine with computers. He was the webmaster for the Medical Student Association and Doctors Ought to Care, and he continues to do maintenance and development of the website for the Healthy Classrooms Foundation. Matt is an Eagle Scout and continues to volunteer as a committee member for the Boy Scout Council in Madison, focusing on the accreditation requirements and staff training for the aquatics programs at the Council’s three camps. Matt enjoys many outdoor activities, including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing, camping, hiking and gardening. Matt joins the Madison program with his wife, Liz Fleming.

  12. Kevin K Thao MD

    Originally from Ban Vinai, Thailand, Kevin Thao earned his undergraduate, medical and M.P.H degrees at UW-Madison. After coming to the United States as a young child, Kevin was one of the first in his family to experience education and he immersed himself in the sciences. In medical school, Kevin decided that he could make his greatest contribution to medicine by giving back to the Hmong community. Kevin’s work to date includes editing and translating health illustrations for the Hmong Health Education Network’s website, presenting general health information workshops to a local group of Hmong elders, and presenting anatomy and disease correlation seminars to the Bayview Hmong community in Madison. Through these projects, Kevin has assessed the overall health status of the Hmong population and determined healthcare disparities and needs. He has shared this information with his colleagues at UW to help others become informed healthcare providers for the Hmong community. In recognition of his work, Kevin was awarded the McGovern-Tracy Scholarship for community service in 2008.

  13. Sean G Trafficante MD

    Sean Trafficante grew up in the Portland, Oregon area before heading to New Orleans to earn his BA and MD at Tulane University. While in medical school, Sean’s work at the Daughters of Charity Clinic in the Ninth Ward showed him that helping people learn about their bodies and long-term sustainable health practices was the kind of medicine most suited for him. After he graduated medical school in 2010, he postponed residency training to spend a year in Sierra Leone with Doctors for Global Health, providing medical care and developing community-based initiatives for health and human rights. Much of Sean’s work focused on treating women who were victims of sexual and gender-based violence and working to provide both local communities and health workers with methods to combat the cycle of violence. Outside of medicine, Sean enjoys music, recently becoming interested in West-African drumming and music of the African diaspora. He also earned the title of jazz DJ of the year in 2001 by WTUL, the student radio station in New Orleans.

  14. Joseph M Wolfe MD

    Joe Wolfe grew up in Waukesha, Wisconsin and came to Madison to earn his undergraduate degree in Pharmacology/Toxicology and complete his medical education at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Like many students, Joe began medical school without a clear idea of his specialty choice. During his third year primary care rotation, one of the doctors described a family physician as a doctor who can help people anywhere in the world. Having witnessed the conditions in rural Dominican Republic where his brother is a missionary, Joe realized that family medicine complemented his desire to serve those whose healthcare needs are often neglected, both in the United States and abroad. While in medical school, he participated in a research project with the UW Department of Family Medicine that included an investigation of food availability and barriers to healthy eating for the Menominee Indian Reservation in northern Wisconsin. He also organized and facilitated educational visits to local elementary schools through Doctors Ought to Care.

year

  1. Jackie Gerhart MD

    Hartland, WI

    Jackie Gerhart is a Wisconsin native and completed undergraduate degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Neuroscience at UW-Madison. While in college she worked designing medical devices, but ultimately decided her passion was in patient care. She attended medical school at Mayo Medical School in Rochester, MN, where she developed a strong commitment to education, research, community service, and medical advocacy. As a medical student, published research in cardiology, pulmonology, and sports medicine. She also worked as a teen educator and mentor through the Rochester Teen Council, and she was a regular volunteer at the Salvation Army and the Multicultural Center. Her passion for global health has taken her to Guatemala and Argentina, and she plans to go to Ecuador as an international rotation during residency. Jackie also is involved in medical policy, and attends local and state-wide meetings on medical reform. Outside of medicine, she enjoys living downtown and trying new restaurants. Jackie also loves planning board game nights and group dinners and enjoys running and playing tennis.

  2. George F Leydon DO

    George Leydon earned a B.S. in Biology from Boston College and a M.A. in Medical Sciences from Boston University. He then went on to complete his medical degree at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kirksville, Missouri. Throughout his life, George has spent much of his time in service to others, through both work and volunteerism. As a high school student he spent most of his Saturday mornings volunteering at a local nursing home, and throughout college he dedicated time each week to work at the Pine Street Inn, Boston’s largest homeless shelter. He also started a new Cub Scout Pack at a Boston housing development and organized spring break service trips with Habitat for Humanity. Then, following his undergraduate studies, George spent a year as a Jesuit Volunteer, serving as a homeless outreach worker and case manager at an agency that provided services to HIV positive men. Needless to say, George’s commitment to service and advocacy make Family Medicine the perfect specialty for him. When he’s not working or volunteering, George enjoys playing guitar (both regular and air), camping, skiing, cooking, and spending time with his wife Charlotte and their two sons Henry and Grant.

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