New WMAA Board Members

The new members are Shannon Cannon, MD ’13; Christopher Harris, MD ’87; David Martin, MD ’23; and Matthew “Matt” Niesen, MD ’09. Harris is a national member, and Martin is a resident member.

“We are proud to welcome Drs. Cannon, Harris, Martin, and Niesen to the WMAA Board of Directors,” said Sarah B. Rothschild, WMAA executive director. “Each brings unique expertise and passion for their alma mater, the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.”

Shannon Cannon, MD ’13

Your current practice?

I am a pediatric urologist at UW Health and an assistant professor in the Department of Urology at SMPH. I also am the diversity, equity, and inclusion director for the department. I treat most types of pediatric genitourinary conditions, but I have a particular interest in robotic surgery, stone disease, and prenatal hydronephrosis.

Your fondest memory of SMPH?

I have many fond memories, so choosing just one is a challenge! I enjoyed performing with the medical school band, the Arrhythmias — making music with my talented classmates and being part of the moments when the entire class was celebrating.

SMPH faculty member you most remember and why?

I thoroughly enjoyed my primary care rotation with Kenneth Gold, MD, an internist in Beloit, Wisconsin. I feel lucky to have learned from a compassionate physician who was actively engaged in his community.

Your hobbies and interests?

I love watching live music of all sorts, ranging from the symphony to bluegrass to Coachella. I also enjoy playing tennis, discovering new restaurants, and spending time with my family.

Family update?

My husband, Russell Cannon, PhD, is also a Badger, as he graduated with a degree in education policy studies in 2017. He works as a senior program officer at the Gates Foundation. We have two beautiful and energetic children: James, age six, and Dahlia, age three.

Goals for WMAA?

I am looking forward to serving on the board as we work to enhance and expand programs that support students and deepen connections between SMPH and the medical alumni community.

Christopher Harris, MD ’87

Your current practice?

I am a medical director in infectious diseases at Enanta Pharmaceuticals in Watertown, Massachusetts. I have worked in the pharmaceutical industry for the past five years after practicing as a pediatric pulmonologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles; Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee; and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Ohio.

Your fondest memory of SMPH?

My fondest memory was having our entire class play a joke on Harry Karavolas, PhD, who studied the composite class photograph and knew all of our names. As he started his first physiological chemistry lecture, the entire class took out brown paper grocery bags with eyes cut out and pulled them over our heads.

SMPH faculty member you most remember and why?

Pediatric faculty — including John Pellett, MD; Munci Kalayoglu, MD; Christopher Green, MD (PG ’80); Philip Farrell, MD, PhD (PG ’72); and Hugh Moffett, MD — are well remembered.

Your hobbies and interests?

I picked up skiing in my early- to mid-50s, and I can’t wait for the snow to cover the mountains.

Family update?

My daughter is just starting her master of public health degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; she recently earned a bachelor’s degree in public health at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.

Goals for WMAA?

I plan to assist in ensuring that SMPH receives the support needed from the state of Wisconsin as the school fulfills the Wisconsin Idea daily, caring for citizens of the Badger State.

David Martin, MD ’23

Your current practice?

I am a second-year psychiatry resident at UW Health. For my next step, I am considering fellowships in child and adolescent psychiatry and/or forensic psychiatry.

Your fondest memory of SMPH?

Celebrating together with my classmates and family at Match Day was a wonderful capstone to my time in medical school. Everyone who was there shared such a sense of accomplishment and optimism; it was really wonderful!

SMPH faculty member you most remember and why?

Because I graduated so recently in 2023, I remember many faculty members quite well. Many of them were influential in my formation. The one who immediately springs to mind, though, is Laurel Romer, MD, who I met when she became my longitudinal teaching coach in the first days of medical school. She remains a close mentor and supportive person.

Family update?

My wife and I were married in the first month of medical school and will be celebrating our five-year anniversary this year. We are expecting our first child in October.

Goals for WMAA?

I hope to continue forming connections among WMAA, medical students and residents. WMAA helped me feel like a part of a greater community during school, and I would love to pass that feeling along to the next generation of students.

Matt Niesen, MD ’09

Your current practice?

I am an orthopedic surgeon, with a specialty in joint replacement, at Reedsburg Area Medical Center in Reedsburg, Wisconsin.

Your fondest memory of SMPH?

What an incredible time we had! Among my many great memories, a few stand out. For instance, our first “test” by Professor Gary Lyons, PhD, was a pathology quiz worth an entire one point! I don’t believe I have ever been so nervous about one point! Other great memories include all of our time working together in the anatomy lab on dissections and preparing for our exams; the birth of my first daughter, Audun, the day of our biochemistry exam; and the excitement of Match Day.

SMPH faculty member you most remember and why?

John Harting, PhD, and Edward Bersu, PhD ’76, are two of my favorites. Dr. Harting is such a caring and genuine man, and it was easy to see that he loved what he did and loved his time with us. He made learning so fun and interactive. Dr. Bersu always made me laugh. The first time I met him was quite memorable. He walked up to me in the anatomy lab, stopped, looked me up and down, and shared his first and only words: “orthopedic surgeon.” Dr. Bersu hit the bullseye on that one!

Your hobbies and interests?

My hobbies and interests are centered around my family. My wife, Mallory, and I have five kids. I love traveling with my family, attending sporting events, and following the Badgers. I have a passion for coaching youth sports, and I help coach my kids’ football, basketball, and baseball teams. Kids are so energetic and positive. It is incredibly rewarding to watch them grow up, improve, and find confidence in themselves through hard work. I love to see them develop a passion for a game that brought me so much in life.

Family update?

We just finished building our new home in Cross Plains, Wisconsin. My five children are extremely busy and active. My oldest daughter, Audun, age 18, started school this fall at UW–Madison, and she made it onto the UW Marching Band. Audun is studying neuroscience. My oldest son, Hayes, age 16, is passionate about football and basketball. He is playing for the varsity team this fall at Middleton High School. My middle son, Hudson, age 14, is a freshman at Middleton High School. He loves football and basketball, and we are excited to anticipate his growth. Our younger daughter, Davis “Peach,” age 11, is going into 6th grade and is passionate about volleyball. She told me she will be one of the best volleyball players at UW–Madison someday. I told her she has some work ahead of her. Finally, our youngest son, Bray, age ten, is going into 5th grade and loves sports and video games like his older brothers. I would say life is pretty good right now!

Goals for WMAA?

I want to donate my time and energy to others and help current and future students achieve their goals and chase their dreams. I look forward to contributing to the school that provided so much for me.

Thanks for Your Service

Kathryn S. “Kathe” Budzak, MD ’69, served on the Quarterly Editorial Board since 2001, in addition to her lengthy service on the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association (WMAA) Board of Directors and WMAA Advisory Board. As of summer 2024, Budzak stepped down from the editorial board. WMAA, Quarterly magazine, and University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) community thank her for sharing her time, passion, and knowledge of the history of the school and its alumni.

A Wisconsin native who earned her medical degree from SMPH, Budzak was an urgent-care physician at Dean Medical Center in Madison until her retirement. She served as WMAA president in 1983 and was just the second woman to hold that position.