Alumni Awards

Ruth A. Etzel, MD ’80, PhD
Senior Technical Expert on Children’s Environmental Health
UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund)
Adjunct Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Georgetown University

“Dr. Etzel is considered one of the nation’s premier public health physicians, who is called on to solve some of the nation’s and the world’s most difficult outbreaks and public health problems. In addition, Dr. Etzel quietly and persistently adheres to scientific evidence in the development of public health policies, even in the face of opposition from special interest groups. She is a courageous leader in bringing environmental health risks to public attention and working collaboratively towards solutions. For her persistence in courageously studying vital health and environmental issues, she is known as an “inconvenient” pediatrician.

— Patrick E. McBride, MD ’80, MPH
Professor Emeritus
Department of Medicine
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Jonathan L. Temte, MD ’87, PG ’93, PhD ’93
Associate Dean for Public Health and Community Engagement
Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Jon Temte has distinguished himself as an exemplary physician, researcher, educator, and leader. A graduate of SMPH (1987), he completed a family medicine residency and a PhD in zoology with a minor in epidemiology in 1993, joining the UW faculty that same year. Nationally recognized for his influenza research, including CDC-funded ORCHARD-2, he has held major leadership roles with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Temte clearly exemplifies the highest ideals of UW medical alumni.”

— Patrick L. Remington, MD ’81, MPH
Professor Emeritus
Department of Population Health Sciences
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Rebecca S. Sippel, MD, PG ’06
Vice Chair of Academic Affairs and Professional Development
Chief, Division of Endocrine Surgery
Fellowship Director, Endocrine Surgery
Dr. Herb Chen Professor, Department of Endocrine Surgery
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Sippel is a UW general surgery residency graduate who has devoted the entirety of her academic career to our university and its students as well as her clinical career to UW Health’s patient population. She has made scientific contributions to the worldwide body of knowledge on endocrine cancers and has exhibited leadership and generosity of service. Her unique talents bring prestige not only to our department but to UW as a whole. She is unquestionably an extraordinary alumna of our residency program and a giant in her field.”

— Rebecca M. Minter, MD, MBA
A.R. Curreri Professor
Chair, Department of Surgery

Jeffrey J. Pothof, MD ’06, MMM
UW Health Chief Quality Officer
UW Health Med Flight Physician
Professor
Department of Emergency Medicine
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Pothof is a gifted clinician who has quickly established himself as a trusted health care leader. With the breadth and depth of his accomplishments at UW Health over the years, it comes as no surprise that Dr. Pothof won all three of the DEM’s major awards given to top faculty, recognizing his excellence across missions in teaching, leadership, and clinical practice. Moreover, he was highlighted as an esteemed alumnus by both of his other alma maters, honored with the University of Michigan Department of Emergency Medicine Alumni Award for Excellence in Health Administration and the Edgewood College Distinguished Alumni Award. Additionally, the Wisconsin chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians has honored Dr. Pothof with several commendations, including the award for Outstanding Leadership and Service to the Organization and the Distinguished Service Award, both impressive nods to his 2019 service as chapter president.”

— Manish N. Shah, MD, MPH
Azita G. Hamedani Distinguished Professor of Emergency Medicine
Chair, BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine

Daniel J. Sklansky, MD ’06
Associate Professor and Residency Director, Department of Pediatrics
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Sklansky’s ability to teach and inspire learners at all levels and across disciplines is exceptional. His commitment and impact as a clinical educator are truly remarkable and warrant recognition. While training as physicians, most of us can identify a handful of individuals who embodied the ideal of an exceptional educator. Dr. Sklansky is one of those rare people.”

— John V. Williams, MD
John E. Jr. and Louise A. Gonce Professor
Chair, Department of Pediatrics
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Patrick L. Remington, MD ’81, MPH
Professor Emeritus
Department of Population Health Sciences
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Remington’s career spans decades of leadership in disease prevention, cancer epidemiology, tobacco control, and health disparities. He is an innovator in applying epidemiologic principles to evaluating chronic diseases. He has shaped national policy, including his early work demonstrating the effectiveness of tobacco use and smoke-free environments. His findings have influenced the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and contributed to noteworthy CDC and NIH initiatives. He is an exemplary basic science emeritus professor and exceptionally deserving of this award. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is fortunate to have him as an alumnus and emeritus professor.”

— Maureen Durkin, PhD, DrPH
Evan and Marion Helfaer Professor of Public Health
Chair, Department of Population Health Sciences
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Anthony D’Alessandro, MD (PG ’87, ’89)
Professor Emeritus, Division of Transplantation
Department of Surgery
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. D’Alessandro was a deeply dedicated faculty member at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He was an outstanding surgeon whose career was defined by a lifelong commitment to advancing the field of transplantation. An exceptional surgical educator, he was deeply passionate about mentoring and training the next generation of transplant surgeons. Through his clinical excellence, scholarship, and mentorship, Dr. D’Alessandro made enduring contributions to organ transplantation and exemplified an unwavering commitment to academic and professional excellence.”

— David P. Foley, MD, FACS, FAST, FAASLD
Folkert O. Belzer Professor
Chair, Division of Transplantation
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Nicholas B. Haun, MD ’11, PG ’14
Associate Professor,
Department of Medicine
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Haun cares for the patients that many of us simply walk past and try to ignore. Rather, he seeks out these patients and meets them where they are — in a homeless encampment, in a bus shelter, and on the curb. He acknowledges their humanity, practicing the very oath that we take as physicians. He has improved medical care and hopefully the quality of life for some of our society’s most vulnerable members. Moreover, his passion for this work has inspired others to join him, expanding the ranks of physicians who practice this form of medicine. Dr. Haun is an exemplar of his profession, his values and the university that trained him. He truly lives and practices the Wisconsin Idea.”

— Sarah Ahrens, MD
Clinical Professor
Department of Medicine
Inpatient Acting Internship Director
UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Division of Hospital Medicine

Paul H. Hunter, MD ’89, PG ’92
Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Paul Hunter’s dedication to education, public health and patient care well surpass the exemplary qualities we hope for from any UW SMPH Alum. He is a compassionate physician dedicated to the health of Wisconsin communities, to improving rural health disparities, and is a teacher and leader who inspires the learners and others around him. Dr. Hunter’s dedication and community impact are a shining example of the Wisconsin Idea.”

— Joseph P. Holt, MD
Director, Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine
Associate Professor of Medicine
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Kenny MacMillan
Assistant Director, Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Rebecca M. Radue, MD ’14 (PG ’18, ’19)
Clinical Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Radue’s longevity as a volunteer at MEDiC Mental Health Clinic (formerly Safe Haven Clinic) is awe-inspiring. She is deeply committed both to caring for our underserved patients and to teaching our students. Multiple student leaders sing praises about her empathetic, caring bedside manner with patients who are in challenging circumstances.”

— Kristi Jones, MPH
Director of Community Service Programs
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Kyla R. Lee, MD ’98, MEd
Internal Medicine Physician
Director of Medical Student Programs
Acute Care Block, Site Block Director
Inpatient Acting Internship, Site Director
Emplify Health by Gundersen

“Dr. Kyla Lee knows only one way to serve: above and beyond. She has a rare ability to turn intention into impact through the way she cares for patients, educates and nurtures students, and leads with clarity and conviction. Throughout her service on the WMAA Board of Directors, she brought vision, energy, and unwavering advocacy, representing the organization with thoughtfulness and integrity in every setting. Above all, Dr. Lee leads with respect, kindness, and genuine care. Her dedication has inspired those around her, and her name has become synonymous with WMAA, a distinction for which we could not be more proud.”

— Sarah B. Rothschild
Executive Director
Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association

Kaine M. Korzekwa, MS
Associate Director of Executive and Internal Communication,
Office of Strategic Communications
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Some of the most consequential contributions happen far from the spotlight. Through trusted partnership and a gift for storytelling, Kaine Korzekwa advances our missions in ways most people will never realize, but from which our entire community benefits. He is exactly the kind of teammate every organization hopes to have. While a young Kaine may never have envisioned becoming an Honorary Life Member of the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association, he has earned this recognition — and the respect of his colleagues — through sustained, meaningful contributions.”

— Sarah B. Rothschild
Executive Director
Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association