Alumni Awards

Robert S. Tepper, MD ’78, PhD ’78, PG ’81 
Professor, Department of Pediatrics 
Adjunct Professor, Anatomy Cell Biology & Physiology
Indiana University School of Medicine

“Dr. Tepper is recognized as the international and national leader in the assessment of lung function in infants. He has been so recognized for 35 years. He was instrumental in the development of infant pulmonary function testing techniques including the weighted spirometry technique, the thoracoabdominal squeeze technique and techniques for the measurement of diffusion capacity in infants. He has held at least nine NIH R01 grants, many other NIH grants and multiple awards from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the American Lung Association. His extensive research funding, his many publications and his world-wide lectures all support his long dedication to his field of expertise.”

—Christopher G. Green, MD, PG ’80
Professor Emeritus
Department of Pediatrics
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Paul M. Sondel, MD, PG ’75, PG ’80 
Reed and Carolee Walker Professor of Childhood Cancer Research 
Departments of Pediatrics, Human Oncology and Genetics
Director of Research – Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Sondel has gained international distinction with his unique research achievements in tumor immunology. His scientific training in the combination of genetics and immunology positioned him early to excel in an evolving field that has dramatically advanced our understanding of and therapies for childhood cancer—far beyond what anyone imagined possible when Dr. Sondel joined the SMPH faculty in 1980. Paul’s innovative research and extraordinary leadership has led to numerous NIH grants, more than 400 publications, and a worldwide impact through immunotherapy. He has also distinguished himself as a brilliant clinician and teacher. Paul has been uniquely productive while also serving unselfishly as a leader, mentor, and wonderful citizen. I am delighted to have been his colleague and friend.”

—Philip M. Farrell, MD, PhD (PG ’72)
Emeritus Dean and Professor
Departments of Pediatrics and Population Health Sciences
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Sam J. Lubner, MD ’03, PG ’10 
Associate Professor 
Fellowship Director
Division of Hematology/Oncology
Department of Medicine
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Lubner is an outstanding educator as evidenced by his numerous teaching honors and awards from students and other trainees. His humility and humor are unique attributes that endear him to learners, colleagues, staff, and his patients. Sam has made many contributions to cancer clinical trials throughout his career. Finally, I have witnessed his expertise, dedication, and genuine caring for his patients, and their families, impacted by the many devastating challenges of cancer. ”

— Daniel J. Jackson, MD ’03, PG ’10
Professor of Pediatrics
Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Amy L. Peterson, MD ’04, MS ’20 
Director, Pediatric Preventive Cardiology 
Associate Professor, Division of Pediatric Cardiology
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Peterson is doing impactful research that she is disseminating widely. She is serving her academic field through relevant service on committees and boards. She has helped establish best practices in her specialty area and is widely respected as an expert in pediatric lipidology. Her efforts to establish accurate newborn screening guidelines for Familial Hypercholesterolemia are innovative and have the potential to significantly improve children’s health around the world. Dr. Peterson is also a dedicated and gifted clinician whose work has profoundly impacted the health of children in the state of Wisconsin and beyond.”

— Ellen R. Wald, MD
Professor of Pediatrics
Member, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Richard L. Moss, PhD 
Professor Emeritus 
Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Moss has been one of the brightest stars in the history of UW-Madison and an unmatched leader in the SMPH. A renowned basic investigator and international leader in cardiovascular physiology, Rick served as the perfect Chair of Physiology for over 20 years—a great teacher with numerous awards, an inspiring and productive researcher, outstanding mentor, and consistently excellent leader. These amazing distinctions were a prelude to his impactful role as SMPH Senior Associate Dean where his scientific expertise helped create innovative programs such as our thrust in human genomics and precision medicine. I’ve been privileged to know and admire Rick throughout his spectacular career at UW-Madison. He is simply THE BEST.”

— Philip M. Farrell, MD, PhD (PG ’72)
Emeritus Dean and Professor
Departments of Pediatrics and Population Health Sciences
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Norman Fost, MD, MPH 
Pediatrician Emeritus 
Department of Pediatrics and Medical History & Bioethics
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Dr. Fost has made enormous contributions to this institution and to the fields of pediatrics and medical ethics, including directing the Department of Pediatrics residency program for 20 years and founding and leading the UW bioethics program for more than 30 years – one of the first such interdisciplinary programs in the country. He also chaired the UW Institutional Review Board for 31 years, and chaired the UW Hospital and Clinics ethics committee for over 30 years. Dr. Fost served on President Clinton’s health care task force in the 1990s, and has served on numerous national committees in the pediatrics and medical ethics fields. He has been a consultant to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Pediatric Drug Advisory Committee, and is a past chair of the FDA Pediatric Ethics Subcommittee. He also worked with the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Guidelines for Stem Cell Research. He continues to contribute to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, and to his field of study in general, through his significant teaching and professional service activities.”

— Ellen R. Wald, MD
Professor of Pediatrics
Member, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Jasmine Y. Zapata, MD ’13, MPH ’17 (PG ’16, ’18) 
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics 
UW School of Medicine and Public Health
Chief Medical Officer for Community Health
State Epidemiologist for Maternal Child Health and Chronic Diseases, Division of Public Health
Wisconsin Department of Health Services

“Dr. Zapata is an extraordinary member of our faculty whose leadership in combating racial disparities in maternal and child health has been impactful locally as well as nationally. Her work is the embodiment of the Wisconsin Idea, stepping beyond the boundaries of our campus to develop programs and tools to improve the lives of mothers and children in impoverished communities. Through her exemplary
community service, she is amplifying a strong message of empowerment for women and girls of color, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

— Ellen R. Wald, MD
Professor of Pediatrics
Member, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Kathryn E. Nixdorf, MD ’06, PG ’10 – posthumously 
Former Pain Management Specialist 
Former Site Director, Pain Management Fellowship Program
University of Minnesota Health – Fairview System

“Katie served the WMAA for many years—first as an active leader in the MSA and later as a national member of the WMAA Board of Directors. She was a Badger through and through and a person of action. Katie and classmate Mat Aschbrenner created and championed a class scholarship to support medical students. Renamed the Kathryn E. Nixdorf, MD, SMPH Class of 2006/WMAA Scholarship Fund by her classmates after her death, Katie’s generous spirt and passion for helping students will live on in perpetuity.”

— Sarah B. Rothschild
WMAA Executive Director
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

Manuel Santiago, MEd 
Director, Multicultural Affairs 
UW School of Medicine and Public Health

“Since being appointed the director of multicultural affairs in 2014, Manuel has tirelessly dedicated himself to serving the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. He has played a key role in recruiting MD students from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in medicine, helping build the most diverse student body in school history. He is a thoughtful listener and advisor who quietly goes above and beyond for students. Manuel is an ally of the WMAA and a greatly appreciated partner.”

— Sarah B. Rothschild
WMAA Executive Director
UW School of Medicine and Public Health