Our Mission

The Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association’s mission is to create lasting relationships between the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health alumni and students by visibly supporting our alumni, students and residents and advancing the mission of the school.

Vision for the Future

The Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association creates an exceptional environment for current students and fosters lifelong relationships by connecting our alumni with each other, our students, our residents, the faculty, the school and the university.

Growth and Impact Timeline

2020s

Obie Oniah, Roger Smith and Gloria Hawkins — Obie Oniah, inaugural recipient of WMAA’s Roanld W. Smith Scholarship Fund, with donors Roger Smith and Gloria Hawkins

Adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, WMAA embraces virtual event formats between Spring 2020 and Fall 2021
Non-stock corporate status of the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association is dissolved; WMAA fully absorbed into the infrastructure of UW SMPH
WMAA provides $600,000 to create WMAA Scholarship Match Campaign, resulting in formation of 32 new need-based scholarships and enhancement of 16 existing scholarships

2010s

WMAA earmarks $200,000 in unrestricted gift funds to match Great People Scholarship funds
Board of Directors creates Board Advisory Council
WMAA converts Sam Perlson Low Interest Student Loan Fund to a scholarship for medical students
Stethoscope Program established
Half-Century Society established
Record 652 new members join Middleton Society in 2018

2000s

Health Sciences Learning Center building exterior — The Health Sciences Learning Center

WMAA moves from Medical Sciences Center to Health Sciences Learning Center in 2004
Board of Directors establishes first Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association Student Scholarship Fund
Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association sponsors and organizes annual White Coat Ceremony
Student and Alumni Partnership Program launched, matching alumni to students with interest in a defined specialty
WMAA hosts first “Operation Education” with State Medical Society Foundation
WMAA 50th anniversary, includes alumni cruise on the Rhine River

1990s

Samuel Perlson Low Interest Student Loan Fund created
Charles Russell Bardeen, MD, Founding Dean Memorial Fund is created. Fundraising begins for new Medical Alumni Auditorium in the Health Sciences Learning Center

1980s

Host Program established for students visiting potential residencies
WMAA 25th anniversary celebration

1970s

Max Fox Preceptor Award established and awarded to Merritt L. Jones, MD 1912
First fiftieth anniversary class — the Class of 1927 — receives bronze medallions struck for the occasion
Phi Chi Medical Fraternity Building Corporation helps create Medical Alumni Student House (MASH) to provide low-cost housing for medical students
Dorothy Wittmann Betlach, MD ’47 becomes first woman president of WMAA Board of Directors

1960s

Medical Alumni Bulletin becomes Medical Alumni Quarterly
Board of Directors allocates funds to Medical Student Association (MSA) for use as determined by MSA

1950s

The Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association has held events for decades. — President Kenneth Lemmer speaking at a WMAA event

Medical Alumni Association founded in 1956
Kenneth Lemmer, MD ’30, named first president
Wisconsin Alumni Journal produced and later renamed Medical Alumni Newsletter
Leland McKittrick, MD 1915 receives first Medical Alumni Citation Award