UW Family Medicine and Community Health Awards

This list includes awards received by department faculty, staff, residents and fellows from July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018.

For more info see: DFMCH’s FY18 Annual Report » (PDF)

Byron Crouse, MD, was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha, the national honor medical society. He also received the Medical Education Lifetime Achievement Award at the Aurora BayCare Medical Center ‘s research and medical education reception and recognition event.

Anne Eglash, MD, was selected as an associate editor of Breastfeeding Medicine, the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine.

John Frey, MD, received the American Academy of Family Physicians ‘ John G. Walsh Award for Lifetime Contributions to Family Medicine. The award honors those individuals whose dedication and effective leadership has furthered the development of family medicine.

Valerie Gilchrist, MD, received the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine ‘s 2018 F. Marian Bishop Leadership Award. The award honors individuals who have significantly enhanced the credibility of family medicine through a sustained, long-term commitment to family medicine in academic settings.

Irene Hamrick, MD, received a 2017 Western Carolina University (WCU) Alumni Association Academic Achievement Award. The award recognizes a WCU alumnus/alumna who has attained extraordinary distinction and success in academe and has demonstrated exceptional leadership.

William Heifner, MD, was named the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians ‘ 2017 Family Physician of the Year. The award recognizes a physician who exemplifies the tradition of the “Family Doctor.”

Derek Hubbard, MD, was elected president of the American Academy of Primary Care Endoscopy.

Wausau resident Sean Huff, DO, was the first resident ever to receive an Aspirus “Hero” award. The award is given out by the Aspirus Health Foundation, and recipients are chosen by patients or family members.

Sarah James, DO, was appointed to a six-year term on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Osteopathic Principles Committee. This committee grants recognition of the osteopathic principles dimension of ACGME-accredited programs, and tracks programs ‘ progress and ability to uphold osteopathic standards once osteopathic recognition has been granted.

Paul Klas, MD, was named the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians ‘ 2017 Educator of the Year. The award recognizes a physician who exemplifies the tradition of “Physician as Teacher.”

Sarina Schrager, MD, was selected as an associate editor of Family Practice.

Melissa Stiles, MD, was selected as a fellow in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Teaching Academy, an honor bestowed on individuals who have demonstrated teaching excellence, are recognized and nominated by their peers, and are committed to advancing the mission of the Academy.

Jonathan Temte, MD, PhD, was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to serve on the Board of Scientific Counselors in the Office of Infectious Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. Temte also received a UW Health Clinical Leadership Excellence Award for demonstrating exceptional leadership skills outside of his home department as well as at an enterprise-wide level.

Kevin Thao, MD, MPH, was chosen for a 2018 Wisconsin Alumni Association “Forward Under 40” Award. The award recognizes UW-Madison alumni who are outstanding examples of living the Wisconsin Idea—that the university exists to serve the public good.

Aleksandra Zgierska, MD, PhD, was appointed to the Wisconsin Governor ‘s Commission on Substance Abuse Treatment Delivery. She was also named one of Brava Magazine ‘s 2018 Women to Watch for her work to improve the care and health of people with addiction and chronic pain.

The UW Health Northeast Family Medical Center received Purple designation—the highest level awarded—from the Children ‘s Health Alliance of Wisconsin for being one of only 13 clinics in the state (of the 210 programs statewide) participating in the Reach Out and Read program.

January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017

This list includes awards received by department faculty, staff, residents and fellows.

John Beasley, MD, FAAFP, received a 2017 UW SMPH Dean’s Teaching Award. The award recognizes excellence and innovation in medical education; recipients have a “career distinguished by creativity in medical education, a demonstrated high level of teaching effectiveness, and extraordinary and sustained dedication and effort on behalf of medical student learning.”

Bret Benally-Thompson, MD, and his wife were asked to serve on the Council of Elders for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES). Dr. Benally-Thompson was also elected board chair for the American Indian Cancer Foundation (AICAF).

John Brill, MD, MPH, received the American Academy of Family Physicians 2017 Exemplary Teaching Award for Full-Time Faculty. The award recognizes an AAFP member who has demonstrated exemplary teaching skills as well as implemented outstanding educational programs and/or developed innovative teaching models.

Joel Hill, MPAS, PA-C, received a 2017 Service Learning Award from Wisconsin Without Borders, a UW-Madison program that recognizes globally engaged interdisciplinary scholarship. Hill was recognized for establishing the UW-Madison Physician Assistant (PA) program’s service-learning trip in which students provide medical care at temporary clinics in Belize.

Paul H. Hunter, MD, was invited to serve on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through June 30, 2020.

Daniel Jarzemsky, MD, received a UW Health Clinical Practice Physician Excellence Award, which honors outstanding clinicians who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to safety and quality patient- and family-centered care.

Geoffrey Swain, MD, MPH, received the Distinguished Teaching Award (Community Mentor Category) from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Training in Urban Medicine and Public Health (TRIUMPH) program.

For the third year in a row, the AAFP selected the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Family Medicine Interest Group as one of ten Programs of Excellence for 2017, in recognition of its outstanding activities in generating interest in family medicine.

January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016

This list includes awards received by department faculty, staff, residents and fellows.

John Beasley, MD, FAAFP, received the AAFP’s Thomas W. Johnson Award for Career Contributions to Family Medicine Education. The AAFP’s highest honor, this award recognizes “outstanding contributions to family medicine education in undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education spheres.”

The Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians’ Membership Committee and Board of Directors selected John Beasley, MD, FAAFP, as the first recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award for having a “long-standing dedication to furthering the specialty of Family Medicine through excellence in care, community engagement and support of new physicians in the specialty.”

Bret Benally-Thompson, MD, received the American Indian Science and Engineering Society’s (AISES) Ely S. Parker Award. The award recognizes an Indian leader who most clearly embody AISES’ mission and goals through their achievements and contributions to science, technology, engineering, and math.

Randall Brown, MD, PhD, FASAM, was elected to the Board of Directors of the American Board of Addiction Medicine (ABAM) and the Addiction Medicine Foundation. He was also selected as the first president-elect of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Directors Association.

The Association of Clinical Research Professionals recognized Senior Research Specialist Mary Checovich for holding her Certified Clinic Research Coordinator credential for 10 years.

Jacqueline Gerhart, MD, was named the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians’ 2016 Family Medicine Educator of the Year.

David Gaus, MD, MPH, received the AAFP’s Humanitarian Award. The award recognizes an AAFP member who has demonstrated honors extraordinary and enduring humanitarian efforts both within and beyond the borders of the United States.

Cindy Haq, MD, received the AAFP’s Exemplary Teaching Award for Full-Time Faculty. The award recognizes an AAFP member who has demonstrated exemplary teaching skills as well as implemented outstanding educational programs and/or developed innovative teaching models.

Addiction Medicine fellow Jordan Mills, DO, PhD, was selected as a Ruth Fox Scholar at the 2016 American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Conference. The scholarship covers travel and registration expenses for attendance at the ASAM conference.

Richard Roberts, MD, JD, FAAFP, FCLM, received the AAFP’s Award for Distinguished and Meritorious Service to Family Medicine for his long-time dedication to advancing, contributing, and supporting to the AAFP and the specialty of family medicine.

Susan Skochelak, MD, MPH, was elected to the National Academy of Medicine, formerly known as the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Skochelak was a Professor in the DFMCH from 1986-2009 and served as the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the UW SMPH Dean’s Office.

UW-Madison Physician Assistant Program Director Virginia Snyder, PhD, PA-C, received a 2016 Dean’s Teaching Award from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.

Patricia Tellez-Giron, MD, received the AAFP’s Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award for Practicing Doctors for demonstrating the ideals of compassionate and respectful care for a patient’s physical and emotional well-being.

Patricia Tellez-Giron, MD, was selected as the faculty recipient of the 2015-2016 UW SMPH Faculty and Staff Equity and Diversity Award. The award recognizes her personal commitment and efforts to support a diverse and inclusive workplace, and to teach learners to understand the needs of diverse individuals, families and populations.

Nick Turkal, MD, received the AAFP’s Robert Graham Family Physician Executive Award for his skills as a physician executive who has contributed to excellence in the provision of high-quality health care. (Dr. Turkal is a DFMCH clinical adjunct professor and president and CEO of Aurora Health Care.)

Aleksandra Zgierska, MD, PhD, received the Distinguished Fellow Award at the 2016 American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Conference.

The AAFP named the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Family Medicine Interest Group as one of 10 Programs of Excellence nationwide. The award recognized the FMIG for its outstanding activities in generating medical student interest in family medicine.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Physician Assistant Program received continued accreditation for the next 10 years—with no citations—by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.

January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015

This list includes awards received by department faculty, staff, residents and fellows.

Eric Brodt, MD, received a 2015 UW System Board of Regents Diversity Award for his work to establish the Native American Center for Health Professionals (NACHP). The award recognizes institutional change agents who have had a significant impact in promoting equity in educational outcomes for historically underrepresented student populations.

Randall Brown, MD, PhD, FASAM, received the Public Health of Madison and Dane County’s “Distinguished Service Award” for his collaborative work to prevent addiction and reduce harm and death from opioid use.

 Ann Evensen, MD, was appointed to a four-year term on the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Maternity Care and Patient Safety Advisory Board.

 John Frey III, MD, was selected as a 2015 AAFP Center for the History of Family Medicine (CHFM) fellow. This fellowship supports research using the various collections of the CHFM to advance understanding and appreciation of the history of family medicine.

Dr. Frey also received the prestigious Director’s Award from the Wisconsin Medical Society. He has served as the editor of Wisconsin Medical Journal since 2006.

 Elizabeth Menzel, MD, received the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM) Foundation’s New Faculty Scholar Award. This highly competitive award recognizes junior faculty in the first years of their academic career for their leadership potential and teaching, service and scholarship contributions to the field of family medicine.

First-year Madison resident Emily Ramharter, MD, was the inaugural recipient of the David Eitrheim, MD, Rural Resident Scholarship. Selected for her demonstrated “interest and commitment to rural family medicine,” Dr. Ramharter will receive a $10,000 scholarship from the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians to help offset expenses incurred with rural rotations and to fund attendance at an AAFP annual meeting.

Adam Rindfleisch, MD, MPhil, was elected into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) medical honor society by the Class of 2015 AOA students.

William Schwab, MD, received the 2015 Gold Humanism Award at the STFM Annual Meeting. The award honors an STFM member who best embodies the attributes of humanism in medicine through his or her work as a family medicine faculty member.

Alan Schwartzstein, MD, a Dean physician, DFMCH adjunct faculty, and active leader in the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians, was selected as vice speaker for the AAFP Congress of Delegates. This election puts Dr. Schwartzstein in line to become the speaker, then president-elect, and then [resident of the AAFP.  The last DFMCH faculty member to hold such a leadership position was Richard Roberts, MD, JD.

The Oregon Child Absenteeism Due to Respiratory Disease Study, led by Jonathan Temte, MD, PhD, Shari Barlow, Maureen Landsvark, Amber Schemmel and Emily Temte, was awarded the 2015 Honorable Mention Award for Achievement in Globally Engaged Community Based Research from Wisconsin Without Borders.

The AAFP awarded the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) its 2015 Family Medicine Top Ten Award. The award recognizes medical schools that, during a consecutive three-year period, have graduated the greatest percentage of students who chose family medicine.

The AAFP awarded the DFMCH’s Family Medicine Interest Group (FMIG) Leadership Team its 2015 Program of Excellence Award. Special congratulations to Jackie Gerhart, MD, FMIG Faculty Advisor, and Joyce Jeardeau, Coordinator of Student Programs. The award acknowledges our FMIG’s breadth and depth of programming and outreach, and recognizes our commitment to promoting the values and philosophy of family medicine.

January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014

This list includes awards received by department faculty, staff, residents and fellows.

John Brill, MD, MPH is the recipient of the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association’s Clinical Science Teaching Award. This award recognizes dedicated commitment to teaching excellence. April 2014

William Cayley, MD (Eau Claire Family Medicine Residency Program) has been selected to be inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AWA)Honor Medical Society. Founded in 1902, AWA recognizes scholarship, leadership, professionalism and service in medicine and members are elected by local chapters, of which there are 120 around the world. March 2014

Jennifer Edgoose, MD is the recipient of the Baldwin E. Lloyd Faculty Teaching Award which recognizes a significant educational contribution to the Madison Family Medicine Residency program by a member of the residency faculty.

Michelle Clark Forsting, MD, PGY 2 at the DFM Eau Claire Residency Program has been awarded the 2014 AAFP Award for Excellence in Graduate Medical Education. This award is one of 20 presented annually by a grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb and recognizes outstanding family medicine residents for their leadership, civic involvement, exemplary patient care and aptitude for and interest in family medicine.

Jacqueline Gerhart, MD (UW Health DeForest-Windsor) received the “Rising Star Clinical Excellence Award” from UW Health. The UW Health Physician Excellence Awards are designed to recognize our most skilled and dedicated physicians. These prestigious awards recognize individuals who demonstrate exceptional skills in clinical practice and education, and a commitment to the mission, vision, and values of UW Health. May 2014

Cynthia Haq, MD was one of three community leaders awarded the inaugural Community Impact Award by the Medical Society of Milwaukee County at its Annual Dinner in January 2014. The award honored individuals who have made a positive impact on the health of the community. Dr. Haq is the Director of the Training in Urban Medicine and Public Health (TRIUMPH) program in Milwaukee for University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health medical students. January 2014

Beth Menzel, MD (Fox Valley Family Medicine Residency Program) received the STFM New Faculty Scholarship for the Family Medicine Congressional Conference. March 2014

Konstantin Mikheyev, DO, a third-year osteopathic resident in the Fox Valley residency program, was named the 2013 recipient of the WAFP Foundation’s Glenn P. Clifford memorial scholarship. Dr. Mikheyev will use the scholarship to train at the Center for Addictive Disorders at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. January 2014

Jeffrey Stearns, MD received the Ethel Weinberg Award the 25th Annual meeting of the Alliance of Independent Medical Centers. The Weinberg Award is presented on an annual basis to an individual member who best exemplifies the energy and commitment of AIAMC founder Dr. Ethel Weinberg by demonstrating noted leadership in academic medicine, both locally and nationally. March 2014

Jeffrey Stearns, MDwas awarded Aurora UW Medical Group’s 2013 Faculty Paper of the Year award for his publication, Understanding the Needs and Concerns of Senior Faculty in Academic Medicine: Building Strategies to Maintain This Critical Resource, a Research Report published in Academic Medicine. May 2014

Jon Temte, MDwas the first-place Writing Contest Winner awarded by the Journal of Family Practice. May 2014

Jon Temte, MDwas awarded the 2014 Excellence in Public Health Protection Award. DVH: Evaluating Hepatitis B Protection for Health-Care Personnel Team. National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention. June 2014

January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013

John Beasley, MD received a WONCA Fellowship, the most prestigious award given by this Organization.  This award is given to individuals who have provided outstanding service to the WONCA Organization.

John Beasley, MD has been appointed to the National Advisory Panel for the EHR Usability Style Guide.  This project is funded jointly by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT through SHARP-C and by the California HealthCare Foundation.

David Deci, MD students and staff of the Primary Care Clerkship received a UW Madison University and Community Partnership Award for 2013. The honor is bestowed by the UW Madison Office of Community Relations, the Office of the Chancellor, and the Morgridge Center for Public Service to recognize UW faculty, staff and students who work with community partners to address public issues in the Madison area.  June 2013

Jennifer Edgoose, MD was named Society of Teachers in Family Medicine New Faculty Scholar.  March 2013

Cindy Haq, MD received the Gold Humanism Society and Leonard Tow Award for humanism in medicine, selected by UW senior medical students for demonstration of outstanding compassion and clinical excellence.  September 2013

Daniel Jarzemsky, MD received the Max Fox Preceptor Award for the statewide outstanding preceptor.  June 2013

Pat McBride, MD was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA), the national medical honor society.  April 2013

Chidi Obasi, MD was inducted into the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society.  January 2013

Rich Roberts, MD received an “Honorary Life Direct Membership” from the WONCA Organization based on his contributions to the Organization and family medicine on a world basis.

Ginny Snyder, PhD, PA-C received the Master Faculty Award at the Physician Assistant Education Association Annual Conference in Memphis, TN last week.  This award recognizes a faculty or staff member who inspires, stimulates and challenges his or her students and colleagues through exemplary contributions to PA education and the profession.

Helen Weng, MS was awarded the Marian Schwartz research award from the UW-Madison Psychology Department.  April 2013

January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012

Dennis Baumgartner, MD received the WisMEF Innovation Scholar Award for exemplary medical innovation.  The award was presented by the Wisconsin Medical Entrepreneurship Foundation and Aurora Health Care.  July 2012

Randy Brown, MD was awarded the title Fellow by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM).  The respected FASAM title is only granted every other year to select ASAM physician members for their significant contributions to the Society and to the field of addiction medicine. April 2012

John Brill, MD received the Family Physician Educator of the year Award presented by the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians.   February 2012

David Deci, MD has been selected by the  UW SMPH Class of 2012 to receive the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, presented by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation.  This award recognizes the value of humanism in the delivery of care to patients and their families. May 2012

Cindy Haq, MD has been selected as a fellow of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters.   Fellows are elected for their extraordinary levels of accomplishment in their fields as well as a lifelong commitment to intellectual discourse and public service.  June 2012

David Kiefer, MDreceived an Engage Situated Learning Award from CALS International Programs (CALS IP) and Engage, for “Ethnomedicine in Latino Communities in Madison”.   November 2012

Tara LaRowe, PhD, Co-chair, Wisconsin Early Childhood Obesity Prevention Initiative (WECOPI).  WECOPI was awarded a Let’s Move!  Childcare Recognition Award from First Lady Michele Obama for outstanding work to promote young children’s health and prevent childhood obesity. May 2012

Mark Marnocha, PhD was recognized for Outstanding Contributions to the Wisconsin Psychological Association  presented at the Wisconsin Psychological Association Annual Conference.  April 2012

Rich Roberts, MD received the John G. Walsh, MD award, the highest award of the American Academy of Family Physicians.  October 2012.

Paul Russo, MD was named the 2011 Family Physician of the Year by the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians. The award recognizes physicians who provide outstanding services to patients and their communities and demonstrate a balance between career and personal life. February 2012

Jon Temte, MD received the 2011 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Medical Student Research Mentorship.  This award “recognizes faculty who devote exemplary effort to encourage and develop medical student researchers outside of the classroom”. March 2012

Georgiana Wilton, PhD, was selected as one of the seven recipients of this year’s Champions in Women’s Health presented by the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation.  Award recipients demonstrate exemplary leadership in women’s health in Wisconsin. May 2012

TheDepartment of Family Medicine’s Family Medicine Interest Group received the 2012 Program of Excellence Award from the American Academy of Family Physicians. The FMIG Network Program of Excellence Award recognizes Family Medicine Interest Groups for their efforts to stimulate interest in family medicine and family medicine programming. The award has been a cornerstone of the FMIG Network, as it facilitates the sharing of best practices of FMIGs from across the country and recognizes the hard work of these student groups.

UW Health Belleville Family Medicine Clinic Project was awarded the Build Wisconsin Award in the Design Build New Construction category by the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin.   November 2012

January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2011

Alex Adams MD, Tara LaRowe PhD, Kate Cronin, Ron Prince were awarded the Diversity Tour Abstract Award for Excellence in Science with a Focus on Diverse Populations forHealthy Children Strong Families: Results of a Randomized Trial of Obesity Prevention for Preschool American Indian Children and Their Families at the Obesity Society Annual Meeting.  October 2011

Dennis Baumgardner, MD was awarded the Aurora Health Care Research Champion Award, for his outstanding dedication and commitment to research at Aurora Health Care and extensive visibility in the research community.  September 2011

James Bigham, MD received the McGovern Tracy Scholarship award at the 2011 McGovern Tracy and DFM Student Awards Ceremony.  May 2011

Randy Brown, MD received a NIDA Junior Investigator Award to attend this year’s Addiction Health Services Research conference in Fairfax, VA   August 2011

Timothy Caramore, MDwas named the Family Medicine Resident Teaching Award Recipient by the UWSMPH Class of 2011.  March 2011

Byron Crouse, MDwas named the 2011 recipient of the Thomas W. Johnson Award for Career Contributions to Family Medicine Education, the highest award presented by the American Academy of Family Physicians.  September 2011

Ronni Hayon, MDreceived the 2010 Diverse & Resilient Community Leadership Award from Diverse & Resilient in Milwaukee for her work educating health care professionals and other audiences about “The ‘T’ in LGBT Healthcare.”   April 2011

Lara Knutsen, MD, MPHreceived the McGovern Tracy Scholarship award at the 2011 McGovern Tracy and DFM Student Awards Ceremony.  May 2011

Rich Roberts, MD received a Fellowship Award from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.  October 2011

• Received a Fellowship Award from the Royal College of General Practitioners.  Fall 2011
• Received the Max Cheplove Award from the Erie County-New York State American Academy of Family Physicians for his advancement of the cause of family medicine. October 2011

Patricia Tellez-Giron MD was awarded the Madison and Dane County “Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award”.  January 2011

John J. Frey III, MD Writing Awards Recipients

Prose winners
Jennifer Edgoose, MD
Nancy Pandhi, MD
Ani Saryan, MD
Carla Schult

Poetry winners
Tim Caramore, MD
Elizabeth Perry, MD
Jon Temte, MD

Renner Hansen Awards Ceremony, November 2011

Marc Hansen, MD Lectureship Award Recipient

• J. Adam Rindfleisch, MPhil, MD – “When Zebras Fly: Field Notes From a Practice on the Fringe”

John H. Renner, MD Award & Wisconsin Idea Award Recipient

• Frank Byrne, MD, President, St Mary’s Hospital

DFM Faculty Excellence Award Recipient

• David Deci, MD

Robert Drachenberg Staff Excellence Award Recipients

• Kim Goffard (Fox Valley)
• Scheryl Seymour (Alumni Hall)
• Mark Shapleigh (Verona)

The James E. Davis, MD, MS Award for Quality Improvement

• Eau Claire Family Medicine Clinic for “Reducing Cycle Times”
• UW Health Portage Family Medicine Clinic for “Waits for Nurse Visits”

William E Scheckler Award Recipients

• Larissa Zakletskaia, PhD – Outstanding Research Publication
• Jessica S. Tischendorf, BS- Outstanding Student Research Project