VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 • 2016 FOR ALUMNI, FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SCHOOL OF AND Quarterly

Alzheimer’s Choir FOSTERS HARMONY AND MEMORIES THROUGH MUSIC

TRAINING IN URBAN MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM p. 4

PATHWAY TO COLLEGE p. 8 ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE-RELATED TEAM APPROACH p. 10

There’s More Online! Visit med.wisc.edu/quarterly to be

QUARTERLY The Magazine for Alumni, Friends, APRIL 2016 Faculty and Students of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Friday, April 22 WMAA Board Meeting, Scholarship Reception and EDITOR Awards Banquet Kris Whitman ART DIRECTOR Christine Klann MAY 2016 PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHER Friday, May 13 UW-Madison Commencement John Maniaci PRODUCTION Michael Lemberger Friday, May 20 Celebrating a Quarter Century of Leadership: through SMPH Department of Medicine Housestaff Reunion, WISCONSIN MEDICAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (WMAA) Saturday, May 21 UW-Madison EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Karen S. Peterson JUNE 2016 EDITORIAL BOARD Christopher L. Larson, MD ’75, chair Thursday, June 2 Medical Alumni Weekend Jacquelynn Arbuckle, MD ’95 through Reunions for the Classes of 1951, ’56, ’61 and ’66 Kathryn S. Budzak, MD ’69 Saturday, June 4 and a celebration for all classes that graduated Robert Lemanske, Jr., MD ’75 Patrick McBride, MD ’80, MPH in 1966 or earlier

Gwen McIntosh, MD ’96, MPH CALENDAR Sandra L. Osborn, MD ’70 Patrick Remington, MD ’81, MPH Joslyn Strebe, medical student SEPTEMBER 2016 Friday, September 16 WMAA Board Meeting and EX OFFICIO MEMBERS through Fall Reunion Weekend Robert N. Golden, MD, Andrea Larson, Saturday, September 17 Reunions for the Classes of 1971, ’76, ’81, ’86, Karen S. Peterson, Jill Watson, Kris Whitman ’91, ’96, ’01, ’06 and ’11 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015–2016 Friday, September 30 Middleton Society Dinner, Union South OFFICERS Steve Merkow, MD ’80, president Susan Isensee, MD ’83, president-elect Ann Ruscher, MD ’91, treasurer Donn Fuhrmann, MD ’76, past president John Kryger, MD ’92, past president Patrick McBride, MD ’80, MPH, past president BOARD MEMBERS Karen Adler-Fischer, MD ’80 Mathew Aschbrenner, MD ’06 Mark Fenlon, MD ’84, MBA Dirk Fisher, MD ’79 Kent Haselow, MD ’92 Daniel Jackson, MD ’03 Christopher L. Larson, MD ’75 Kyla Lee, MD ’98 Meghan Lubner, MD ’03 Gwen McIntosh, MD ’96 Kathryn E. Nixdorf, MD ’06 (national) Leon E. Rosenberg, MD ’57 (national) John Siebert, MD ’81 Alex Tucker, MD ’75 10 Steven Wiesner, MD ’85 (national) Michael Witcik, MD ’07 BOARD ADVISORY COUNCIL Kathryn S. Budzak, MD ’69 Philip Farrell, MD, PhD Kay Gruling, MD ’88 QUARTERLY is published four times a year by the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association (WMAA) Charles V. Ihle, MD ’65 and the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) Thomas Jackson, MD ’67 For editorial information, call (608) 263-4613 Robert Jaeger, MD ’71 For address corrections and to reach the WMAA, call (608) 263-4915 Ann Liebeskind, MD ’98 Sandra L. Osborn, MD ’70 E-mail us at [email protected] Anne Schierl, MD ’57 Visit us on the web at med.wisc.edu/quarterly CONTENTS QUARTERLY • VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1

TRIUMPH Pathway to 14 Alumni Notebook This successful College 4 22 Alumni Profile Milwaukee, Wisconsin- 8 Middle- and high-school based program students learn about 24 Connections trains medical health sciences careers and students to work with how to prepare for their 26 Research Advances urban, underserved future college tracks. populations. 28 Faculty Profile 30 Healer’s Journey Alzheimer’s Campus Scene (above) 32 Giving Back Disease The new student lounge at the Health Sciences 10 Learning Center features ways for students to 34 Student Life A team approach tackles unwind and socialize during their breaks. research, prevention and 37 Spotlight treatment of this disease, which will affect nearly 40 Perspectives all Americans, either On the Cover directly or indirectly. Members of the Alzheimer’s Choir perform during a concert (see page 13). Photo by Lori Kenney

QUARTERLY 1 MESSAGES

ROBERT N. GOLDEN, MD provision of with education and training. Focusing on another high priority area for our school—expanding the diversity of Wisconsin’s clinical workforce—our Office of Multicultural Affairs has built connections with high schools, colleges and community groups throughout the state, building an expanding and inclusive pipeline of future . These talented future medical students will add to the diversity of the SMPH and, more importantly, Wisconsin’s environment. In addition to the SMPH’s outreach to diverse populations, we are committed to fostering greater connectivity with disadvantaged patients and communities. The Healer’s Journey describes the school’s Poverty Integrative Case, which represents a novel way to introduce our students, faculty and staff to the challenges faced by fellow n this issue of Quarterly, we include a The UW School of Medicine and Public citizens who are struggling to overcome the “Connections” section featuring our Health (SMPH) academic campuses are impact of poverty. most recent Mini Med School event, I critically important components of our In terms of your connectivity, please which focused on Alzheimer’s disease and statewide connectivity. Located in Milwaukee, continue to keep in touch with us via e-mail, dementia. In fact, “connections” is a common Marshfield and La Crosse, these campuses “snail mail” or carrier pigeon … whatever theme throughout this issue. serve as hubs of statewide academic activity, works best for you. I thoroughly enjoy hearing While our school has its home base in where hundreds of physicians teach and from our growing family of alumni, friends the heart of the University of Wisconsin- mentor our students. The Alumni Profile on and supporters, and deeply appreciate your Madison, we enjoy connections throughout pages 22 and 23 describes the distinguished ideas, suggestions and reflections. the state. Important connections are thriving career paths of Drs. Jeff Thompson and with several organizations and programs in Sue Turney, who have provided outstanding Robert N. Golden, MD Milwaukee. Beginning on page 4, you’ll read leadership at Gundersen Health System Dean, University of Wisconsin School of about our “triumphant” program—TRIUMPH, and the Marshfield Clinic Health System, Medicine and Public Health or Training in Urban Medicine and Public respectively—the homes of our Western and Vice Chancellor for Medical Affairs, Health—which connects our medical Marshfield Academic Campuses. UW-Madison students with opportunities to provide care Other inspiring “connections” are for underserved populations and engage in embedded throughout this magazine. We service-learning projects in partnership with are proud of SMPH student Nick Anderson, community-based organizations in that city. who connected with his long-time friend to We also describe a special program of our complete the Ironman Wisconsin together Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute that utilizes despite his friend’s cerebral palsy-related music to help maintain connectivity for limitations. Drs. Toby Campbell and James individuals who are facing the challenge of Cleary serve as outstanding role models for dementing illnesses. The Milwaukee-based connecting the art with the science of clinical Alzheimer’s Choir brings joy to the singers practice, as well as bringing together the and their families and friends.

2 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 KAREN S. PETERSON reetings medical alumni and friends. we will hold several class reunions, and Time, treasure and talent—our alumni we would like all medical alumni who Ghave given it all! graduated more than 50 years ago to join I would like to express heartfelt thanks to the festivities; all of you who have supported the University • sponsor a stethoscope for an incoming of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public medical student; Health (SMPH) and Wisconsin Medical Alumni • join us for the Fall Reunion Weekend on Association (WMAA) with your generous September 16 through 17, 2016; and/or donations of time, money and expertise • share your expertise by joining the WMAA during the past year. Your gifts are the “Student Alumni Partnership Program.” lifeblood of our organization. To learn more about the programs and You have helped with our goal to ensure events I’ve mentioned, including how to that every medical student will make a volunteer to share your expertise with our meaningful connection with one or more students, please visit the WMAA web site alumni. You also have helped us reduce at med.wisc.edu/alumni, check out our student indebtedness and provide many Facebook page or call the WMAA office at opportunities to ensure that our students (608) 263-4915. have an excellent experience during As always, please feel free to contact me their time at the SMPH. You have shared with your ideas, issues and/or any concerns. your areas of expertise to broaden the You can reach me at [email protected] perspectives that our students get to learn or (608) 263-4913. My mailing address is about. Thank you! listed on the back cover. I look forward to As you page through this issue of hearing from you! Quarterly, you will see highlights from one of our most popular events, the WMAA Winter Karen S. Peterson Event, with the theme “A Taste of Wisconsin.” Executive Director, Wisconsin That evening, medical students and alumni Medical Alumni Association had the opportunity to network, enjoy music performed by SMPH students and sample * During the spring Medical Alumni Weekend, locally produced foods. Also, starting on participants will enjoy a tour of their “old page 14, you can read about our Alumni stomping grounds” (Bardeen lecture hall Host Program—also known as the “Help Our and the Medical Sciences Center) and the Students Travel” program. The fourth-year recently renovated anatomy laboratory. We student participants have appreciated the will offer a campus tour aboard the Badger assistance and enjoyed time with alumni who Trolley, and the WMAA will partner with hosted them during their residency visits in Mini Med School to feature SMPH experts the places they are considering residencies who will discuss “Caring for Your Heart and other academic pursuits. and Arteries.” Staff in the WMAA Office are looking toward the spring and summer seasons with great enthusiasm. We hope you will join us. Please consider engaging with your SMPH! Here are some ways to consider: • make a gift to the SMPH or the WMAA by joining the Middleton Society; • sign up for Medical Alumni Weekend,* June 2 through 4, 2016—during which

QUARTERLY 3 FEATURE STORY

Walnut Way staff member Tyler Weber and former TRIUMPH student Elizabeth Corey stand on the porch of the revitalized building that used to be a drug house.

4 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 TOM LYNN QUARTERLY communities outside of Madison to communities outside ofMadisonto medical students inmedicallyunderserved Medicine (WARM). Both programsplace to the Wisconsin Academy forRural engaged physicians. and prepareforcareersascommunity- exercise; increaseimmunizationrates; and gunviolence;increasenutrition promote healthequity;reduceinfantmortality efforts targetbroadpublichealthgoals: neighborhood istheirclassroom, andtheir undergoing theirowntransformations. The and PublicHealth(TRIUMPH)Programare Health’s (SMPH) Training inUrbanMedicine of Wisconsin SchoolofMedicineandPublic medical studentsenrolledintheUniversity Walnut Way Corporation Conservation a nonprofitneighborhoodcentercalledthe houses. A notoriousdrugdennowhouses weeds blossomwithgardensandhoop are takingplace. I and theNorthside YMCA, transformations neighborhood landmarkedbyJake’s Deli n acentralMilwaukee, Wisconsin, TRIUMPH is the urban counterpart TRIUMPH istheurbancounterpart It’s herethatthird-andfourth-year Lots thatonceheldbrokenglassand PROMOTING HEALTH ANDHEALTH EQUITY TRIUMPH IN URBAN WISCONSIN summer bike camp to teach school-age summer bikecamptoteachschool-age Fed, theywereabletolaunchatwo-week organizations, suchasthe Wisconsin Bike out toneighborhoodgroupsandother Blank, PhD, Rippsaidthatbyreaching recently toUW-Madison ChancellorRebecca issues ofconcernforschoolchildren. where obesityratesandlackofexerciseare neighborhood onMilwaukee’s southside, means workinginapredominantlyLatino medical studentChrissyRipp, TRIUMPH address healthchallenges. Forfourth-year community iswatching closely. TRIUMPH they approachtheircareers. and howthisexperiencewouldaffect how TRIUMPH couldnothappeninaclassroom. agreed thatwhattheywerelearningin her medicaleducation. Herfellowstudents experience wasunlikeanypreviouspartof community organizations. Rippsaidthe they areconductinginpartnershipwith students presentedarangeofprojects bicycles fortransportation. Other TRIUMPH children andfamiliessafewaystouse Presenting herprojectat Walnut Way It’s aquestionthatthe medical Blank askedstudentsabouttheir projects BY LEESENSENBRENNER

BRYCE RICHTER/UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS Health Care, thehomeofSMPH’s president andchiefmedicalofficer at Aurora Andrew Anderson, MD, executivevice address therootcausesofhealth problems. watching theeffectsofprojectsthat aimto Milwaukee, arecontributingtotheeffortsand partners, suchas Aurora HealthCarein Walnut Way inMilwaukee. medical studentsdescribetheirlearningexperiencesat Wisconsin SenatorNikiyaHarrisDoddlistentoSMPH UW-Madison ChancellorRebeccaBlank, PhD, and Left toright: TRIUMPH DirectorCynthiaHaq, MD, “This isthefutureofmedicine,” says 5 Community Partners

TRIUMPH is grateful to the people of Milwaukee and a network of organizational and community partners, including: • Aurora Family Service • Aurora School-Based Health Program at South Division High School • Aurora Health Center Midtown • Aurora St. Luke’s Family Practice • Aurora UW Medical Group (Aurora Sinai) • Aurora Walker’s Point Community Clinic • Bread of Healing Clinic UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank, PhD (left), speaks with medical students from the SMPH who are • Center for Urban Population Health working with the TRIUMPH Program in Milwaukee. • Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin • City of Milwaukee Health Department Milwaukee Academic Campus. “The future TRIUMPH has worked with more than 26 • City on a Hill Health Clinic of health care is in promoting health and not Milwaukee community partners, including • Community Advocates just treating diseases.” schools, and public health and neighborhood • CORE/El Centro The City of Milwaukee Health organizations. The program also draws • Diverse and Resilient Department—a national leader as an support directly from neighborhood activists • Fondy Foods academic health department with multiple and those who live where the students work. • Growing Power long-standing partnerships with UW-Madison Haq says one of the program’s strengths and other academic institutions—works is that the students are embedded within • Keenan Central Health Clinic (City of with TRIUMPH students to help build healthy local organizations, get to know local Milwaukee Health Department) communities. residents outside of clinical settings, learn • Lifecourse Initiative for Healthy Families “Graduates come out of TRIUMPH to appreciate the resilience and challenges • Lovell Johnson Quality of Life Center knowing not just about medicine, but faced by the people they serve, and cultivate • Milwaukee Academy of Science/Aurora about health,” said Geof Swain, MD, MPH, skills to become effective community- School-Based Health professor in the SMPH Department of Family engaged partners. • Milwaukee Area Health Education Center Medicine and Community Health and chief One example of a neighbor who • Milwaukee Center for Independence medical officer of the Milwaukee Heath teaches TRIUMPH students is Andre Lee • Milwaukee County Breastfeeding Coalition Department. Ellis, who came to Walnut Way for Blank’s • Milwaukee Health Care Partnership Cynthia Haq, MD, a professor in the visit. Ellis founded an organization called • Milwaukee Health Services, MLK Heritage same SMPH department—who founded “We Got This” that puts youth to work in Health Clinic and directs TRIUMPH—says the program Milwaukee’s gardens and neighborhoods. • Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission has enrolled more than 100 students and He says he founded his organization on the has more than 60 graduates. All graduates fly to intervene for a young man who was • Milwaukee North Division High School have entered residencies serving urban, in trouble with the police. Law enforcement • Outreach Community Health Center medically underserved populations and they told him that the young man could perform • Penfield Children’s Center have been more likely than other medical community service rather than be charged • Progressive Community Health Centers students to choose primary care careers and if an official organization agreed to take • Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers to train and practice in Wisconsin. Several responsibility for his supervision. Ellis shares • Sojourner Family Peace Center are already practicing in Milwaukee after that he invented “We Got This” on the spot. • Southeastern Oneida Tribal Services completing postgraduate training, and others Steve Harvey recently featured Ellis’ work on • United Community Center are planning to return. his national daytime talk show. • United Way of Greater Milwaukee and At Walnut Way, staff, medical Examples like this, and the way TRIUMPH Waukesha County professionals and trainees work under interacts with community members and • Walnut Way Conservation Corporation the principle that “Caring Neighbors Make builds on their positive work, is “the epitome • WI WISEWOMAN Good Communities.” The number of caring of the Wisconsin Idea,” according to • Zilber Family Foundation neighbors that have emerged is striking— TRIUMPH Program Manager Melissa Lemke.

6 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 Alumni Couple’s Experiences Benefit Medically Underserved Populations

by Kris Whitman shortage of health professionals throughout the nation. Some students are motivated J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous words “Not all to work with disadvantaged urban those who wander are lost” describe a populations. Drs. Buelow and Weston are married pair of University of Wisconsin two such people, and they’re helping train In TRIUMPH, Buelow and Haq mentor School of Medicine and Public Health the next generation of physicians to do so.” third- and fourth-year medical students (SMPH) alumni who’ve learned much Although Weston did not train in who are conducting projects with partner through their wanderings. TRIUMPH, he and Buelow earned MPH organizations throughout the community, Michelle Buelow, MPH, MD ’11, and Ben

Bryce Richter/University Communications degrees at the SMPH and Emory University, and they constantly work to improve Weston, MPH ’10, MD ’11—who hail from respectively, and embraced global health the program. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, suburbs and met as throughout their education. Between their Buelow often serves as a liaison first-year medical students—share a zest first and second years of , between TRIUMPH and the Sixteenth Street for experiencing cultures around the world. they worked in Honduras, as Buelow had Community Health Center, which hosts Some adventures have been personal, done the summer before medical school. students who want to learn about the including their wedding in Honduras and While earning her MPH, Buelow worked unique challenges and rewards of working a vacation in Argentina (see photo). Other in Bolivia and for the Centers for Disease with its medically underserved patients, as travels have focused on global health. Control and Prevention’s Center for Global she did during that stage of her training. Now living in Milwaukee, they’ve Migration and Quarantine in Atlanta on a “Our community partners are incredibly established careers caring for underserved project at the Mexico-Texas border. She valuable, as they teach students firsthand patients in the inner city. Buelow is the returned to Bolivia a year later. about community and public health— associate director of the SMPH’s Training At the SMPH, Weston established the exemplifying the Wisconsin Idea,” she says. in Urban Medicine and Public Health Healthy Classrooms Foundation, which Similarly, Weston calls upon knowledge (TRIUMPH) Program and a family physician continues as a medical student-run, and skills from his medical school, global at the Sixteenth Street Community Health nonprofit foundation committed to health and residency experiences. Center; and Weston is an assistant integrating public health education into “Lessons I learned in population health professor of and Wisconsin primary and secondary schools. apply well to mass-gathering medicine, director of the Mass Gathering and Event Buelow and Weston matched to such as sporting events, where medical Medicine Program at the Medical College residencies in St. Paul and Minneapolis, needs on a large scale inevitably arise,” he of Wisconsin (MCW) and Froedtert Hospital. Minnesota, respectively. He specialized explains, adding that he also works with He also is the assistant medical director in emergency medicine at the Hennepin groups in Belize and Tanzania to help them for Milwaukee County Emergency Medical County Medical Center, and she joined the develop emergency medical services. Systems. They both credit strong SMPH United Residency Program Weston spends most of his time caring mentors for helping guide their careers. through Allina Health. Both worked with for patients in the emergency room, where Buelow met Cynthia Haq, MD, while underserved, underinsured urban patients. he teaches residents and medical students. pursuing a certificate in global health. “My training has allowed me to take He splits the balance among more formal TRIUMPH director and a professor in the the best possible care of my patients, most education of fellows, residents and medical SMPH Department of Family Medicine of whom are Mexican and Puerto Rican students; planning for mass gathering and Community Health, Haq encouraged immigrants,” says Buelow, who speaks events; and other related responsibilities. her to follow her dreams: pursuing global Spanish. “We also serve a large refugee While the couple would love to consider health training, earning a master of public population, so I feel like I’m able to do future global health trips, their careers are health (MPH) degree and participating in ‘global health’ in Milwaukee.” keeping them busy for the time being. TRIUMPH. She feels fortunate to be able to spend Perhaps J.R.R. Tolkien’s words ring true Haq says, “We desperately need more 20 percent of her time with TRIUMPH and again: “All we have to decide is what to do physicians to serve people in urban and the balance in her clinical practice. with the time that is given us.” rural low-income areas, which have a

QUARTERLY 7 PHOTO FEATURE

Pathway to College Program

Above: The Latino Arts Mariachi Juvenil performs in the Health Sciences Learning Center. Left: Two band members learn about organs. Below: Students listen to a classroom lesson.

ariachi music was a lively middle and high school youth from change of pace at the Health three Milwaukee public schools spent MSciences Learning Center the day attending a “Mini Med School” during a fall 2015 concert. Amazingly, hosted by the University of Wisconsin the performers had quickly changed School of Medicine and Public Health’s after being learners all day. (SMPH) Office of Multicultural Affairs The musicians in Latino Arts and the Medical Students for Minority Mariachi Juvenil—which has Concerns (MSMC). members from various Milwaukee, Focusing on connecting Wisconsin-area high schools, including with students from medically the Academy of Health Sciences at underrepresented populations to South Division High School—and other help them understand health-related

8 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 HAPPY II Program Inspires Healthy Lifestyles

A student checks out microscopic images during a Microbes Detectives workshop.

by Anne Pankratz Through activities such as lunchtime nutrition classes and neighborhood hikes, For the past three years, middle school HAPPY II uses culturally appropriate lessons students at Bruce Guadalupe Community in physical activity, healthy eating and School in Milwaukee have participated in media literacy. a special program—the Health Activities Sam Dennis, Jr., PhD, an academic partner careers and challenges of minorities, these Partnership Program for Youth II (HAPPY II)— and UW-Madison associate professor, is groups partner in recruiting pre-medical that encourages them to live healthy lifestyles students and increasing diversity at the SMPH. pleased with the progress the kids have made. by choosing nutritious foods and incorporating Manuel Santiago, MEd, is the advisor to the Through HAPPY II, they are learning to believe ample physical activity into their lives. MSMC and director of the Office of Multicultural in their own ability to make healthier choices. In February 2016, students from that Affairs, which works with students in programs “Our program has been less about facts school and their parents visited the University that are “pipelines” to various SMPH degree and figures and more about real ways kids programs. He also continues to guide SMPH of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public can incorporate healthy eating and physical students throughout their time at the school. Health (SMPH) and other UW-Madison venues activity into their daily lives,” says Dennis. “By Santiago notes that diverse role models help to see the science behind HAPPY II. They bringing them to the lab, we wanted to expand prepare trainees for careers in which they will toured biotech and genetics laboratories and their knowledge and motivation beyond their care for patients from myriad backgrounds. attended educational sessions—including own environment. Our hope is that they will “Our school is deeply committed to a “Microbes Detectives” workshop— see themselves as UW-Madison students or as increasing the diversity in our health care highlighting the science behind their healthy scientists one day.” workforce, as one of the key strategies for lifestyle skills and environmental knowledge. The Wisconsin Partnership Program reducing health disparities,” says SMPH Dean Funded by the SMPH’s Wisconsin Robert Golden, MD. represents a far-reaching commitment Partnership Program, HAPPY II is a The Mini Med School session, held during by the SMPH to improve the health and community-academic partnership between Hispanic Heritage Month, featured the theme well-being of Wisconsin residents through the school and the United Community Center “Diversifying the Face of Medicine” and a investments in research, education and (UCC) in Milwaukee. The UCC houses the “Pathway to College” presentation. Participants community partnerships. Established in had hands-on opportunities to learn about health Bruce Guadalupe Community School, which 2004, the program has awarded more than care fields, and SMPH students, admissions serves 950 students, of whom 95 percent 400 research, education and community experts and physicians shared advice on steps are Latino and 78 percent are economically partnership grants totaling more than the students can take to successfully prepare for disadvantaged. The community’s obesity rates $180 million aimed at improving the health of undergraduate work and medical school. are higher than the national average. the people of Wisconsin.

QUARTERLY 9 FEATURE STORY

Sigrid Knuti participates in a memory test for the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention study.

10 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 BY SUSAN LAMPERT SMITH

Alzheimer’s Disease TEAM APPROACH FURTHERS PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT igrid Knuti calls herself “a member of a people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s. As Gerontology in the Department of Medicine club I never wanted to join.” daughters of a mother who had the disease, and member of the ADRC, who has a mouse S But she and hundreds of other they are in the at-risk arm; their husbands model of Alzheimer’s disease. He found members of that club—adults whose parents are controls. Another 300 people take a compound that, when fed to the mice, have or had Alzheimer’s disease—are part in a different SMPH-based study, the reduced beta amyloid and tau proteins, partnering with the University of Wisconsin IMPACT study, which also recruits subjects which are Alzheimer’s-related proteins that School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) at increased risk for Alzheimer’s and will build up in the brain. Nearby, his colleague in the effort to better prevent, diagnose and continue doing so until it reaches almost Amy Kind, MD ’01, PhD ’11, an associate treat Alzheimer’s disease. 700 subjects. Once enrolled, these subjects professor in the same division, has a federal Over the past decade, as part of the and those in WRAP will form the largest grant to improve the care of dementia Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention and longest-studied cohort in the world of patients when they return home from the (WRAP) study, Knuti has given blood and middle-aged adults at increased risk for hospital. Kind has shown that home follow-up spinal fluid, run on treadmills, had her brain non-familial, sporadic Alzheimer’s disease. by nurses—via phone or, if necessary, imaged and participated in timed memory These long-running cohort studies in person—can keep people healthier tests so difficult they sometimes made her are a small sampling of UW-Madison’s than those who are not followed and can cry. Sometime this year, she’ll be assessed unique assets that share related goals. dramatically reduce hospital readmissions. to see whether she can join yet another These include the National Institutes of Just a short walk from her lab, you’ll find a UW-Madison study, dubbed the A4 drug trial, Health-funded Wisconsin Alzheimer’s brain bank, where about 120 of the more this one to test an experimental drug that Disease Research Center (ADRC); Wisconsin than 200 donated human brains having the may help slow the progress of Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Institute (WAI), which leads a “gold standard” of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis “I don’t think there’s going to be a cure in statewide network of 44 diagnostic clinics; a are available for study. time for me,” says Knuti, who is still sharp at faculty of 21 principal investigators working Richard Moss, PhD, the SMPH senior age 74. “But I want my generation to be the on research across campus; and laboratories associate dean for basic research, last with this disease. I’m participating in this with cutting-edge imaging equipment. biotechnology and graduate studies, believes research for my daughters.” The breadth is astounding. A five-minute UW-Madison is uniquely positioned to help Knuti, her sister Karin Lange and their walk around campus could take you to the stem the coming tsunami of dementia. The husbands are among 1,500 participants laboratory of Luigi Puglielli, MD, PhD, a national Alzheimer’s Association says the enrolled in the WRAP study of middle-aged professor in the Division of and number of people age 65 and older who

QUARTERLY 11 have Alzheimer’s disease may nearly triple by Department of Medicine, Mahoney is a hundreds of African-American older 2050 to a projected 13.8 million. geriatrician who leads research and outreach adults and their families receive early and “No place else has the resources we do,’’ programs focused on healthy aging and personalized care for the disease, and says Moss. “We have all the pieces: basic improved health care for older adults. She many are enrolled in research studies to science research, clinical trials and long- is known internationally for disseminating identify novel genetic, medical, lifestyle, running cohort studies that began before research to prevent falls, and her successful socioeconomic and other factors specifically the participants started showing symptoms. program has expanded throughout the related to increased risk of Alzheimer’s And we have the key public health piece: our country. She has a strong background disease in these participants. network of memory clinics across Wisconsin working with public health constituents, such A major mission of the Alzheimer’s through which we are able to quickly move as the state- and county-level Aging Network, program is to train the next generation of what we discover about interventions and and groups like the Alzheimer’s Association. academic geriatrics clinicians. The WAI runs treatment into the community. This is truly Mahoney says she feels fortunate to a student interest group and New Friends the Wisconsin Idea in action.” take over the WAI from its founding director, Program, which matches health professions In 2015, Sanjay Asthana, MD, the Mark Sager, MD (PG ’87), who started the students with people in the early stages of Duncan G. and Lottie H. Ballantine Chair in statewide network of diagnostic clinics. Alzheimer’s disease. It has helped place Geriatrics, a professor in the Department An SMPH professor emeritus, Sager also 30 medical students in summer geriatrics- of Medicine and head of the Division of established the WRAP study in 2000 by related externships, including time in Geriatrics and Gerontology, was named the recruiting adult children who were bringing Milwaukee, Rhinelander and Richland Center, SMPH’s first associate dean for gerontology. their parents to be assessed at the clinics. Wisconsin. The WAI trains staff of the 44 He heads the ADRC, a unique program that Mahoney agrees with Moss and Asthana diagnostic clinics through several sessions combines academic, clinical and research that nowhere else in the nation is there a per year, and the ADRC trains physicians and expertise at the SMPH and the Geriatric diagnostic clinic network like this. doctoral-level scientists who wish to pursue Research, Education and Clinical Center at “In addition to putting us in touch with academic careers in geriatrics and dementia the adjacent William S. Middleton Memorial patients and providing state-of-the-art care, research. Many scientists have been trained, Veterans Hospital. it allows us to extend research on supporting and several are working at UW-Madison and Established in 2009 under Asthana’s caregivers and delaying the time when other institutions across the nation. leadership, the ADRC team is dedicated patients enter homes,” she says. The WAI’s WRAP study is starting to to creating a total systems approach to Beyond the clinics and research cohort, reveal intriguing data about the onset of Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, treatment, the WAI and ADRC are strongly committed to Alzheimer’s disease. For instance, through prevention, education and research. The working on health disparities associated with use of the latest diagnostic techniques, nationally designated center of excellence Alzheimer’s disease. African-Americans have studies of WRAP participants show that has more than $88 million in federal funding double the risk of developing the disease, Alzheimer’s-associated brain changes begin and supports collaborative, interdisciplinary and they are less likely to seek help. The 10 to 20 years earlier than when symptoms studies with investigators based locally, WAI’s office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, headed are diagnosed. These brain differences nationally and internationally. by Gina Green-Harris, MBA, helps African- include volume changes in key areas such “UW-Madison is unique in the world,’’ American families get to the diagnostic as the hippocampus, connectivity changes in says Asthana, who also cares for dementia clinics, connects families to local resources the white matter, metabolic alterations and patients at the UW Health Memory from the point of diagnosis to the end of the amyloid plaque build-up. Assessment Clinic. “We are especially known spectrum of long-term care, and provides WRAP researchers have shown that for our studies of people with preclinical families with one-on-one assistance to guide metabolic syndrome, uncontrolled diabetes disease, but we have a full spectrum them through the health care systems. and disrupted sleep in middle age are of research, from molecular biology to The Amazing Grace Choir (see sidebar on associated with dementia. translational and clinical studies aimed the next page) is an example of a successful On the positive side, WRAP is yielding at improving care and health services for WAI outreach project. some good tips to help preserve brain people who have dementia.” Together with the WAI, the Wisconsin health. Studies led by Ozioma Okonkwo, Moss and Asthana say translating this ADRC supports extensive outreach and PhD, and others have shown that physical research into everyday health care will be community events to educate and increase activity and cardiovascular fitness can delay enhanced with the recent naming of Jane recruitment of minority individuals from brain changes, and cognitive activities Mahoney, MD (PG ’89), to lead the Wisconsin Madison and surrounding areas in center- such as playing challenging games and Alzheimer’s Institute. A professor in the supported research studies. Altogether, doing puzzles seem to help. An assistant

—continued on page 36

12 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 Alzheimer’s Choir Fosters Harmony and Memories

Denise Weaver doesn’t talk much these days, but oh, can she sing. She’ll take a solo lead on the spiritual “Please Be Patient with Me” and have you humming it for days. And Deacon Willie Wade may be 93 years old and caring for a wife with memory problems, but his “Amazing Grace” solo is, well, amazing. While dementia has stolen some memories from the Amazing Grace Choir, it sure hasn’t taken their music. The choir began as an outreach project of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute (WAI). The Bader Foundation paid for a group from the institute to travel to New York Music is a trigger for memory and a feeling of being connected. Members of the Amazing Grace Choir University, where a pilot program started show jubilance during their performances, which bring joy to their loved ones. by Mary Mittelman, DPH, was studying whether singing could improve mood in LORI KENNEY The audience heard some beautiful lyrics in English, German, Spanish and caregivers and people with memory issues. harmony and solo singing. While the sign language. Williams says music seems They brought the program to New York group had little musical to provide a bridge back to the singers’ Milwaukee, where the WAI—which background, many of the Milwaukee younger selves. is part of the University of Wisconsin singers had decades of choir experience. “I think the music is a trigger for School of Medicine and Public Health “African-Americans came up in the memory,’’ he says. “When you’re (SMPH)—has an outreach effort in the black church, and they’ve been singing recognized and loved, what you’ve African-American community. four-part harmony all their lives, so we can forgotten comes back.” The Milwaukee choir began in summer do more complicated music with them,” The choir practice also forms a 2014. With about 16 members, the says Arlene Skwierawski, one of an all-star community for families who are struggling group has given two public concerts, cast of community conductors who work with the same issues. They worry when including one at the “Breaking the Silence: with the choir on Saturday mornings. someone doesn’t show up, and chorus Addressing Dementia in Communities Skwierawski led the music program at coordinator Stephanie Houston spends time of Color” breakfast that showcased the Milwaukee’s North Division High School making sure members have transportation singers’ skills to hundreds of families who for many years and remains involved and other social supports in place so they are affected by Alzheimer’s disease. in the city’s music and theater scene. can just sing on Saturday mornings. Other directors include Kevin C. Williams; Gina Green-Harris, MBA, director of the church music directors Vanta Jones and WAI’s Milwaukee Outreach Program and Micah Shaw; and Community Advisor Services, says the music doesn’t heal only Joe Nathaniel, Jr. those in the choir. One of Skwierawski’s former students, “When you see these people singing, Williams is a country music artist and a it brings tears to your eyes,’’ she says. Milwaukee Public Schools music teacher; “It’s why we come to work every day. he recently led the group’s practice. This is powerful!” He’s a lively conductor, hamming it up and pushing his choir to learn a song with

QUARTERLY 13 ALUMNI NOTEBOOK

Students and Alumni Connect THROUGH HOST PROGRAM

he Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association (WMAA) coordinates Tan Alumni Host Program to help fourth-year medical students connect with alumni who live in places they need to visit. For instance, medical students often use the program to find alumni with whom they can stay during residency interviews. Across the United States, more than 350 graduates of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) have signed up to host students. Hosts provide overnight accommodations and often meals, transportation and insight Left photo: In Indianapolis, Caitlin Rublee (left) stayed with Mary Erickson, MD ’15, and the two got creative at a glass art shop. Right photo: Dana Dieringer, MD ’15 (left) hosted Rublee during her into the regional medical community. Medical residency interview in Seattle. The two enjoyed a coffee break to catch up on each other’s news. students can view alumni host information on a secure database or ask WMAA staff to help them find hosts in specific areas. Caitlin Rublee, accommodations, transportation assistance Pat Fehling, MD ’07, who serves as a 2016 MD/MPH Candidate and some entertainment at their favorite local host, points out one major advantage to the restaurants and coffee shops. The Alumni Host experience provided program: “When you’re expecting to move Dana and I took the bus to my interview, an invaluable opportunity for me to stay in somewhere unfamiliar, you need some advice and she walked me upstairs to the exact touch with alumni who recently graduated. outside of what they tell you at the residency location of the interview. She made the Because I added a fifth year to my training program. You need to know what your life is early morning hassle-free. Later that at the UW School of Medicine and Public going to be like there.” evening, Dana and her husband took me Health to combine my with Another host, William Summers, MD ’67, to an excellent seafood restaurant for fresh a master of public health degree, I did not notes, “The students need to know how good Alaskan cod and clams. graduate with the class members with whom of ambassadors they are for the school to the Perhaps most importantly, my hosts I spent my first three years of medical school. alumni. We enjoy their visits as a way to learn shared extensive insight into the residency The two friends who hosted me—Dr. Mary more about the current happenings at the application process and life as an intern. Erickson (MD ’15), and Dr. Dana Dieringer University of Wisconsin School of Medicine Their generosity translated into a more (MD ’15)—were fellow Wisconsin Academy and Public Health.” positive interview experience for me. I feel for Rural Medicine (WARM) students out more prepared for my upcoming transition of Marshfield. They offered comfortable into a residency. I found our visits to be a wonderful Get Involved—Become a Host! chance to swap stories of our time at If you are interested in becoming a host for SMPH students who are UW-Madison and to celebrate the journeys we’ve taken thus far. Our time together traveling for residency interviews and similar academic activities, please catching up added another memory to share contact Maureen Brady at the WMAA office by e-mail or phone: at future Badger reunions! [email protected] or (608) 263-4914; or via postal mail using the address on the back cover of Quarterly. On behalf of students, the WMAA needs more willing hosts in various locations. Please consider this opportunity, which other alumni have enjoyed!

14 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 Jennifer Wagner, 2016 MD Candidate I’m a fourth-year medical student and am applying for residencies. I used the Alumni Host Program for three of my interviews. I found the program to be exceedingly valuable, not only for the cost savings of avoiding a hotel, but also for connecting with incredible alumni in new cities where I may be living next year. I have found that the people who choose to participate in the Host Program are uniformly generous and caring people. They During Jennifer Wagner’s (left) residency interview in San Diego, Dennis Hemingway, MD ’61, hosted her; are willing to take in a stranger for a day pictured here at the Pacific Ocean, they toured the world’s oldest active sailing ship. or two. I felt very comfortable and cared for in all three places. The three people who hosted my visits And in San Diego, I stayed with Dr. Dennis I feel fortunate to have had access to this are all very special to me. In Portland, Hemingway (MD ‘61). He showed me around remarkable volunteer alumni network, as it Oregon, I stayed with Dr. Julie Kim (MD ’92), the city, gave me a personal tour of the greatly enhanced my interview experiences. who fed me meals with her family and world’s oldest active sailing ship, and took I plan to “pay it forward” and host medical gave me rides whenever I needed them. In me out to eat on several occasions. students in the future. Seattle, I stayed with Dr. Yuan Zhou (MD ’11), My hosts went out of their way to make Thank you to everyone who participates in who included me in a dinner out with her sure I was enjoying my stay in their cities. the program—it means a lot to students! friend at an awesome pot pie restaurant. I consider them friends. Chulhi Kang, 2016 MD Candidate I am grateful for the hospitality of Drs. Mary Beth (MD ’69) and Robert Metcalf (PhD ’70 from the UW College of Agricultural and Life Sciences). It was nice to see that while you can take a Badger out of the Midwest, you can’t take the Midwest out of a Badger! They offered to pick me up from the airport and chauffeur me around Sacramento during my interview at the University of California, Davis. They are wonderful conversationalists on many topics, a reflection of their interesting lives. The Metcalf house in Sacramento feels truly like a home, and although I was a stranger to them, I don’t know that I could have felt any more welcome if they had invited me themselves outside of this program. I am thankful to have the support of alumni during this exciting and stressful time while I am pursing residencies. I decided Mary Beth Metcalf, MD ’69 (left) and her husband, Robert H. Metcalf, PhD ’70 (not pictured), hosted Chulhi to make use of the Host Program because Kang when he traveled to Sacramento, California, for a residency interview. I ended up going on 20 interviews, and the travel became quite expensive. The Drs. Metcalf represent the WMAA Host Program well, and I am honored to soon join ranks with them after I graduate. QUARTERLY 15 ALUMNI NOTEBOOK

WINTER EVENT

A Delicious “Encore”! TODD BROWN/MEDIA SOLUTIONS (9)

hen alumni who attended last important mission of this event is for the year’s Winter Event asked for an WMAA staff to help connect students and W“encore” featuring locally sourced alumni who have similar interests, such foods and beverages, the Wisconsin Medical as a field of research or . Alumni Association (WMAA) gladly arranged Alumni report they enjoy sharing advice with to have the Fluno Center’s eminently students who are interested in their career talented Chef Matt plan a similar menu for tracks, and students welcome their advice. this year’s gathering. Coda Blue medical student group He artistically concocted a colorful, opened the evening, and a jazz trio of SMPH tasty selection, including chicken and students shared lively music throughout. waffles; braised beef sliders; sweet potato-, A “passport” encouraged each guest to quinoa- and walnut-stuffed mushrooms; try a variety of foods and visit with other smoked trout on rye; kale salad; and an participants to obtain signatures and earn a array of meats, cheeses, produce and chance to win door prizes. dessert items, all thoughtfully paired with “We were happy to hear that our delectable beverages. guests wanted an encore,” exclaims Karen At the February 2016 event, WMAA board Peterson, the association’s executive member and medical student pairs served director. “Our state is known for so many up plenty of food and conversation, offering wonderful foods and beverages. Above the perfect venue for more than 200 alumni all, the lively conversations among our and their guests, as well as University of wonderful alumni and medical students Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public were the highlight of the evening. This was Health (SMPH) students, to visit while they a sure way for anyone to chase away any sampled out-of-the-ordinary fare. An potential winter ‘blahs.’”

16 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 TODD BROWN/MEDIA SOLUTIONS (9)

Opposite page, clockwise from upper left (left to right): Members of Coda Blue—M1 Hemanth Potluri, M1 Weeden Bauman and M2 Katharine Molinarolo—entertain the crowd; a sampling of tasty fare; the “W” crest welcomes guests. Above, clockwise from upper left (left to right): pretty chocolates; M2 Danielle Westenberg, Jean Van Dreel and Richard Van Dreel, MD ’62, converse; Jack Khalil, John Khalil, MD ’04, Roberta Strigel, MD ’04, and Ben Walker, MD ’04, pose for a photo; M1 Mary Finta, Pam Heilman, MD ’90, M1 Sarah Weiss and M2 Dana Ley show their passports; M1 Brett Carr, Wade Woelfle, MD ’95, M1 Donna Ugboaja and M1 Amy Yan had a chance to visit; and Mark Fenlon, MD ’84, MBA (partially hidden), and M1 Brett Carr serve food to M2 Christopher Little, M2 Jeremy Riekena, M2 Bronson Bomkamp, M2 Yusi He and M1 Thuy-Linh Nguyen.

QUARTERLY 17 ALUMNI NOTEBOOK

“On Call” Three TRIUMPH whatGrads tell Quarterly they’ve been up to

A person bicycles near the Walnut Way Center in Milwaukee, where many students in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health’s Training in Urban Medicine and Public Health (TRIUMPH) Program work and do service-learning projects.

HOLLY CARETTA-WEYER, MD ’13

am an emergency medicine “Identifying zebras” is one and implemented a health (EM) chief resident at UW of the most rewarding parts of disparities curriculum for IHospitals and Clinics. In June my job. For instance, I vividly incoming interns and have 2015, I will begin an education remember a patient who came helped teach several core fellowship at Oregon Health to the emergency department days and integrative cases and Science University. mumbling incoherently, with for medical students at As an emergency physician, altered mental status, a week- the UW School of Medicine I care for children and adults long fever and a rash. Urgent and Public Health. I also who have a variety of needs— care sent him to the emergency participate in many national surgical, medical, psychiatric, department due to concerns of organizations and an education trauma and everything in meningitis. I determined that he subcommittee of the Council of EM and public health go well between. I love to make a had life-threatening thrombotic Emergency Medicine Residency together. I have a front-row difference for patients and thrombocytopenic purpura and Directors. seat for seeing public health families on potentially the worst arranged for plasmapheresis in I chose EM for multiple needs— including what days of their lives, and reassure intensive care. A week later, we reasons. As a TRIUMPH student, happens when the public them when everything is had a full conversation. I became integrated into health infrastructure fails going to be OK. I find this field As part of my residency, I the community and worked patients. I am in a unique emotionally intense but equally have been integrally involved with patients on upstream position to help address these rewarding. in medical student and determinants of health. needs, including working with resident education. I developed Contrary to some, I believe legislators and others to effect positive change.

18 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 JONATHAN DICKMAN, MD ’13, PHD ’11

s I finish my third year of see children, pregnant women met her when making a home residency at Allina and older patients in one day visit for her recently deceased A Health United Family at the clinic, and I may admit grandfather who had end-stage Medicine (UFM) in Saint Paul, an adult to the intensive care Parkinson’s disease. She Minnesota, I am excited unit, deliver a baby and admit stated: “You cared for him, and about continuing there for a a pediatric patient to the now you are caring for me. That “Fourth-Year of Mastery.” I will local children’s hospital in a is so special.” be working on areas of interest, single shift! I chose family medicine to including procedures, research A patient who illustrated be able to care for all members and community resource the holistic care we provide in of a family and build their trust. The family medicine faculty mapping. Additionally, I have a family medicine was a young In medical school, I was at UFM are some of the most special interest in ultrasound, woman who was admitted to passionate about building skilled, intelligent medical which can improve diagnostic the hospital with significant meaningful connections within providers I have met. They accuracy. nausea and vomiting. While the community. Like many in inspire me to continue to learn The beauty of family talking to her about the plan my field, I relish the opportunity and provide the best possible medicine is that there is of care, she stopped me and to provide care to patients of care to my patients every day. no “typical case.” Family said: “You came to our house all ages, perform procedures, physicians are involved in all and cared for my grandfather.” deliver babies, visit nursing aspects of medical care for While I did not immediately homes, provide inpatient care patients of all ages. I often recognize her, I realized that I and much more. TOM LYNN

HELEN YU, MD ’15

am a first-year family diversity of experiences within with the California Academy medicine resident at a family medicine. of Family Physicians and Ibusy urban hospital in This field was the obvious policy advocacy work in the Los Angeles, California: the choice for me because I was coming years. Kaiser Los Angeles Medical looking for a specialty that This is an exciting and Center. I am from inner-city offered a wide scope of dynamic field in which we are Los Angeles and am excited to experiences, continuity of care never bored. We get to be a be serving my community. and intuitive connections to multi-age health care provider I feel fortunate to be able public health and social justice. and become exposed to a wide to rotate through several It also is at the forefront of spectrum of health issues; different services and see such changes to our current health we also can engage in public a breadth of medical issues. care system. health, care for underserved There is no “typical” case I am part of the Los Angeles populations and health care because I have rotated through County Academy of Family reform. The opportunities , and Physicians and try to attend are endless after training in gynecology, and adult medicine, chapter meetings when my family medicine. and each of these fields is intern schedule allows. I hope completely different. I love the to become more involved

QUARTERLY 19 ALUMNI NOTEBOOK

CLASS NOTEScompiled by Andrea Larson We want to hear from you! CLASS OF CLASS OF http://med.wisc.edu/shareyournews 1990 2009

Do you have photos from your ThedaCare family Adam Gepner accepted a faculty junior class skit that you are willing physician Kelli appointment at the William S. to share? We are interested in the (Kellbach) Heindel Middleton Veterans Hospital in Madison, received the 2015 effective in July 2016. He lives in Middleton, history of this activity and photos Family Physician of the Wisconsin, with his wife Jamie and their that are appropriate for a broad Year Award from the children: Eliza, age 9, Aaron, 7, and Zoe, 5. audience, which we may publish in Wisconsin Academy a future issue of Quarterly. Please of Family Physicians. send copies of photos (electronic or Heindel has been a family physician for hard copy) to the editor using contact more than 20 years and sees patients at information on the back cover. Please ThedaCare Physicians-Appleton North. indicate the class year and any As a volunteer at a local clinic, she provides information you wish to provide. care to underserved patients and mentors students who are considering or pursuing careers in medicine. CLASSES OF 1971, ’73 AND ’91 CLASS OF 1996 Thomas McIlraith DeAnna Friedman-Klabanoff spent the received the Society past year working in Rwanda as part of the of ’s Human Resources for Health Program, where Award for Outstanding she taught medical students and pediatric Service in Hospital residents in the tertiary referral hospital in Medicine in March 2016. Kigali (photo above). She had the opportunity He is chair of the Hospital to teach at the bedside and help improve Medicine Department at the overall curriculum for medical students Three UW School of Medicine and Mercy Medical Group (MMG) in Sacramento, and residents. She wrote: “Not only did I Public Health alumni coincidently ended up California. He was elected to the MMG enjoy the teaching aspects of the job, but I volunteering at the JDW National Referral Board of Directors in 2009 and has served also found it enlightening to be so integrated Hospital in Thimphu, Bhutan, in September as its treasurer since 2011. He earned into the health care system of a developing 2015 through Health Volunteers Overseas. his bachelor’s and medical degrees from country. I feel that this will help me to better Left to right: George Pantely ’71, William UW-Madison and completed an internal anticipate limitations and challenges as Niedermeier ’73, and Lisa Nalven ’91. medicine residency at the McGaw Medical I design potential research projects in the Center of Northwestern University. In 2000, future.” Now back in the United States, she CLASS OF he became the head of the hospitalist works as a pediatric hospitalist at Children’s 1985 division at South Sacramento Kaiser Hospital of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. She Permanente. He became the chair of hospital will move to Baltimore in mid-June 2016 to Timothy Gundlach is pursuing an medicine at Mercy Medical Group in 2004 start a pediatric infectious disease fellowship MBA through Auburn University’s Physician and has grown the department into a team at the University of Maryland. She hopes to Executive MBA Program; he will graduate in of 90 hospitalists who provide 24/7 coverage become involved in research to help develop May 2016. He is serving as president of the at four Sacramento hospitals. He started the better malaria vaccines and/or malaria North Carolina Society of Anesthesiologists. programs at two of the hospitals. eradication, and she anticipates that she In 2015, his daughter, Allison, got married in will return to Africa within the next 12 to 18 Madison, and he had the pleasure of hosting months and regularly throughout her career. several of his SMPH classmates at the event.

20 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 CLASS OF 2001 IN MEMORIAM A. D. Anderson, MD ’43 Donn R. Slovachek, MD ’79 Michelle Dorsey was named chief of Madison, Wisconsin Newburgh, Indiana the Department of at the Phoenix October 13, 2015 December 8, 2015 VA Medical Center in August 2015. She joins her husband, Tony Dorsey, who has been Dean Emanuel, MD ’47 Robert L. Schaengold, MD ’86 the chief of the Department of at Marshfield, Wisconsin Cincinnati, Ohio the same facility since 2006. They recently February 28, 2016 April 21, 2015 adopted a 2-year-old Navajo girl. Howard S. Baker, MD ’65 Thomas E. Leow Jr., MD ’93 PG 1986 Wynnewood, Pennsylvania Marinette, Wisconsin December 21, 2015 November 14, 2015 Kathi Kemper’s latest book, Authentic Healing: A Practical Guide for Caregivers, Earl L. Cobb, MD ’67 Former Faculty Member combines ancient practices with modern Lodi, California Russell Wallace Chesney, MD science in a practical, step-by step format October 9, 2015 Department of Pediatrics, 1975-1985 appropriate for all audiences. Memphis, Tennessee April 2, 2015

Goodbye Dear Friend: NASROLLAH SHAHIDI, MD

Nasrollah (Nasr) Shahidi, MD, program, continued his laboratory and emeritus professor of pediatrics, died on translational research, trained many November 30, 2015. He was the first head students and residents, and established the of the Division of and division’s postdoctoral fellowship program. of the University of Wisconsin School of Shahidi was a leader in the laboratory Medicine and Public Health’s (SMPH) analysis and treatment of Fanconi , Department of Pediatrics. Shahidi was a a rare, inherited blood disorder that can world leader in the understanding and care lead to bone marrow failure and leukemia. His deep legacy at UW-Madison is of bone marrow failure syndromes and an He was the first to treat a child with the carried on through current Division Chief influential mentor to many. disease using an innovative Paul Sondel, MD, PhD ’75 (PG ’80). Shahidi Born in what is now Iran—which he derived from umbilical cord stem cells. helped convince Sondel to join the faculty always referred to as Persia—Shahidi During his tenure, UW-Madison became in 1980 and succeed him as division chief initially trained in Paris. He came to the one of the initial institutions to join the in 1990. United States in 1954 to complete a Cancer and Leukemia Group-B, an early “Dr. Shahidi was a remarkable pediatrics residency at City Hospital in multi-institutional consortium that evolved physician-scientist, academician, leader, Baltimore, Maryland, and later completed into the Children’s Cancer Group now mentor, physician and Renaissance man, a postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric known as the Children’s Oncology Group. with many diverse accomplishments hematology at Harvard University, where he Shahidi also was instrumental in and interests,” reflects Sondel. “He has began his research career. identifying the blood-disease-causing influenced countless pediatric In 1966, Nathan Smith, MD, then-chair roles of the antibiotics phenacetin and hematologists/oncologists around the of the SMPH Department of Pediatrics, chloramphenicol, and the pesticide DDT, country and world. We are grateful to him recruited Shahidi to create a new division and he influenced restrictions on their use. for the ways he looked out for our faculty, of pediatric hematology and oncology at He earned an international reputation as an our team, our program and our patients.” the school. Shahidi built a strong clinical innovator in pediatric hematologic cancers.

QUARTERLY 21 ALUMNI PROFILE

Alumni Lead Two of the SMPH’s Academic Campuses

by Sharyn Alden Jeff Thompson, MD ’78 Planting seeds to benefit others is Distinguished University of something Thompson cares deeply about. Wisconsin School of Medicine “As a health care organization, it is and Public Health (SMPH) alumni our responsibility to not only take care of patients, but to help our patients and hold top leadership roles at two communities stay well. That includes caring of the health care systems within for the environment,” says Thompson, Gundersen’s CEO from 2001 through 2015. the school’s Statewide Campus. Nationally known for helping to build and lead a high-quality health system and as a Jeff Thompson, MD ’78, is the climate-change expert and visionary leader CEO emeritus of Gundersen in environmental stewardship, he reflects Health System in La Crosse, on the very successful sustainability efforts at Gundersen, which serves 19 counties in Jeff Thompson, MD ’78 Wisconsin, the school’s Western Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Academic Campus. “Our goals are to decrease emissions, In medical school, Thompson received a decrease related diseases and save health scholarship toward a medical experience at Sue Turney, MD ’79, is the first care dollars. We hope to inspire others Monambaro Hospital in Madagascar. by showing what can be done by working “I was introduced to amazing people and CEO of the Marshfield Clinic together across the community,” he says. geography, and a huge amount of illness. It Health System, the home The White House named Thompson a cemented my feeling that we should value of the SMPH’s Marshfield Champion of Change in climate and health in our health and not waste resources,” he says. 2013, honoring him for doing extraordinary The previous year, he had met Sandy— Academic Campus. things to empower and inspire members now his wife of 37 years—when she was of his community. In November 2015, he a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. In addition to its primary home in presented a talk, “Sustainability and the They have three children, Rachel Thompson- Madison, the SMPH also has the Health of our Communities,” at the United Fleming, MD, a pediatric hospitalist at Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. Gundersen; Nathan Thompson, MD, an Milwaukee Academic Campus at “My talk made it clear that all things are interventional radiologist in Chicago; Aurora Health Care. Aurora’s CEO, connected. Between 5 million and 8 million and Sam Thompson, a human resources Nick Turkal, MD, has held many people die each year from air quality issues. specialist who is pursuing a master of We must be a part of the solution,” he says. business administration degree. joint leadership positions with After earning his undergraduate degree in Thompson is proud of several high-value that organization and the SMPH. his hometown at UW-Platteville, he entered programs at Gundersen, including the the SMPH, which he considers “a great organization’s role as the SMPH Western In the Statewide Campus, place of great value.” He recalls the impact Academic Campus; its focus on teaching Elizabeth Silverman, MD, had on him. medical residents; and its strong efforts to physicians volunteer their “She pushed us to better ourselves. She encourage advance care planning. time and expertise by serving demonstrated the rare combination of fusing “Studies show that 95 percent of as community faculty and the need to have strong basic knowledge, La Crosse County seniors in their last two disciplined problem-solving approaches, and years of life have advance care plans. mentors to SMPH students. genuine care for each patient regardless It is the highest percentage in the United of their struggles or backgrounds. Many States,” he says. clinicians master one or two, she did it all.” In 2008, Thompson notes that Gundersen leaders analyzed what their organization was 22 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 potentially doing to the population’s health Center in Rice Lake and Flambeau Hospital, and financial well-being by burning fossil co-owned and operated with Ministry Health fuels from outside the region. Care in Park Falls; Security Health Plan “We established and subsequently met of Wisconsin, Inc., a not-for-profit health goals to power Gundersen by renewable maintenance organization; and MCIS, an materials, reduce its greenhouse gases information technology company. The system by 90 percent, improve the health of our also includes a graduate citizens, lower the cost of delivering care, and program and a research foundation. improve the local economy,” he notes, adding Turney completed an internal medicine Sue Turney, MD ’79 that the health system’s priorities inspired residency at Marshfield Clinic, where she people worldwide to follow suit. served for 22 years in clinical practice and acted like a reverse motivator—it helped me “If you are part of a value-driven administration. She earned her master of become a physician.” organization, you must have the discipline to science degree in administrative medicine She also reflects upon a 20-year look it in the face and say you can do better. from UW-Madison in 1999. friendship with her mentor and fellow SMPH Just because you have people in your waiting Raised in the small northern Wisconsin alum, George Magnin, MD ’46, whom she room doesn’t mean you are delivering the town of Mellen, Turney shares a vivid memory met in her third year of medical school. best quality care,” he says, noting that of the time her kindergarten teacher asked Magnin joined Marshfield Clinic in 1952. change requires checks and balances to what the students wanted to do when they He was an SMPH preceptor from 1952 to make sure systems work consistently and grew up. Turney responded that she wanted 1966 and a clinical professor from 1962 staff follow through on expectations. “When to become a doctor, but her teacher said girls to 1992; he also was the first director of you do that, the whole community benefits.” don’t become doctors and suggested options medical education at Marshfield Clinic, where like nursing or teaching. Turney continued to thousands of SMPH students have had Sue Turney, MD ’79 dream of the day she would be a physician. opportunities to learn since 1927. When Walt Disney said, “All our dreams Over the years, she continued to hear “I was impressed by his incomparable can come true if we have the courage to “girls don’t become doctors,” including from standards for medical education, which led pursue them,” he could have been describing her father when Turney was preparing to take me to do my residency at Marshfield Clinic Turney’s life from kindergarten through today high school science and math classes. and join its faculty. He was an expert in the at Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS). “He believed in me, but it was a different science and art of medicine, and he served In September 2014, Turney returned to era for women and medicine,” she recalls. patients before himself,” recalls Turney. her Wisconsin roots to begin her lead post At Mellen High School, she met Peter She proudly notes that in 2008, for MCHS. Previously, she was president Turney, whom she later married. He earned Marshfield Clinic became the inaugural site and CEO of the Medical Group Management his bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison, for the SMPH’s Wisconsin Academy for Rural Association in Englewood, Colorado, and taught school and later operated a bakery Medicine (WARM) Program. Its graduates before that, the CEO and executive vice and restaurant. The couple has two grown are practicing throughout rural Wisconsin president of the Wisconsin Medical Society. children. Their son, Peter Turney, JD, earned communities, including Marshfield. She has fulfilled appointments by the a bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison and Marshfield Clinic also recently built Wisconsin governor and U.S. Health and a law degree from DePaul University; he is comfort and recovery suites that are licensed Human Services secretary, and has served the assistant director of athletics compliance as skilled nursing facilities in Marshfield, on American Medical Association committees at Arizona State University. Their daughter, Wausau and Eau Claire for patients receiving and on the eHealth Initiative Board. Alison Jones, MD, earned her undergraduate care in ambulatory centers at those In 2005, Turney was named a Fellow degree at Yale University and spent one clinic locations. in the American College of Medical summer at UW-Madison “so she could As Turney reflects on her journey, she Practice Executives, and she’s been one be a Badger.” Married with two children, shares: “Don’t be afraid to change, allow of Modern Healthcare’s 50 Top Influential she is completing a residency yourself to embrace what you want to do in Physician Executives multiple times. in Chicago. life, and accept the consequences.” Turney is leading one of the largest, Turney recalls a twist of fate that She says she is fulfilling her dream of most comprehensive medical systems in the happened while she was working in the caring for patients, but from a different nation. With a tripartite mission of patient emergency room in Marshfield. perspective in this organization that is care, research and education, MCHS has “I was assigned to care for a patient, and celebrating its 100th anniversary year, Marshfield Clinic, with more than 50 primarily when I pulled back the curtain, there was adding, “It is a continued privilege to take rural sites in northern, central and western my former kindergarten teacher who had care of patients.” Wisconsin; two hospitals—Lakeview Medical discouraged me from becoming a doctor!” she exclaims. “I told her that advice had

QUARTERLY 23 CONNECTIONS

Mini Med School THE PERSISTENCE OF MEMORY: ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE TODD BROWN/MEDIA SOLUTIONS (8)

by Robyn M. Perrin, PhD Sanjay Asthana, MD, the Duncan G. biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). and Lottie H. Ballantine Chair in Geriatrics, By studying participants in the Wisconsin op quiz! What disease is the sixth SMPH associate dean for gerontology, Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention most common cause of death, affects and director of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s (WRAP)—a panel of 1,500 volunteers, more Pmore than 5.3 million Americans, and Disease Research Center (ARDC), than 1,100 of whom have a family history is the only major disease for which death reviewed the biology of AD. A progressive of AD—researchers have found that, over rates are increasing rapidly—but ranks neurodegenerative disease, AD may lurk time, amyloid protein in CSF decreases 16th for research funding? If you answered silently for decades, first causing hallmark in individuals at risk for AD as amyloid is “Alzheimer’s disease,” you are correct. brain lesions from amyloid plaques and tau re-allocated to plaques in the brain, and Unfortunately, in this quiz, no one wins— protein neurofibrillary tangles that aggregate the level of tau protein in CSF increases. because Alzheimer’s disease (AD) ultimately within brain cells. The lesions develop Researchers hope to use these biomarkers will affect all of us, directly or indirectly. decades before symptoms begin. to establish AD risk levels. It’s sensitive work. By 2050, it’s predicted that 13.8 million Halting, slowing or reversing AD once Carlsson has performed more than 1,000 Americans will have the condition. cognitive symptoms take hold has been lumbar puncture procedures on volunteers It was fitting, then, that AD was the difficult. But SMPH researchers want to know to collect CSF samples used to elucidate the subject of the March 2016 Mini Med whether the can be stalled at a earliest stages of AD. School, a public lecture series offered by the non-symptomatic state, such as when brain Similarly, Sterling Johnson, PhD, the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine lesions start to form, before cognitive decline. Jean R. Finley Professor of Geriatrics and Public Health (SMPH). Faculty members Toward this goal, researchers have and Dementia, discussed advanced brain highlighted the remarkable progress focused on developing technology and imaging methods for detecting AD at its in AD research and outreach efforts at methods for early detection. Cynthia earliest stages. Specialized positron emission UW-Madison, all achieved through steady Carlsson, MD (PG ’98), associate professor tomography (PET) scans allow specific focus and a genuinely integrated approach. of medicine, discussed the use of “sentinel” visualization of amyloid or tau deposits in

24 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 Opposite page (clockwise from left): Mini Med School participants mingle at a post-event reception; Ozioma Okonkwo, PhD, shares his talk; Jane Mahoney, MD (PG ’89), discusses her presentation topic with an audience member. Above (clockwise from upper left): Sterling Johnson, PhD, displays images; audience members listen intently; Cynthia Carlsson, MD (PG ’98), answers a question; Johnson describes his research; Sanjay Asthana, MD, explains the fundamental biology of Alzheimer’s disease.

brains of living subjects, so researchers can resilience. He has found that exercise and to support them. Some UW-Madison faculty see patterns of plaques and tangles and physical activity are critical for reducing members are developing new computer- have confirmed that people who show high amyloid burden and preserving cognitive based support systems for caregivers. amyloid burden do worse on memory tests. function, potentially suggesting that being David Gustafson, PhD, professor emeritus The progressive nature of AD means early physically active may delay or forestall of engineering and director of the Center interventions are critical. This is why, Johnson development of AD. His group is conducting for Health Enhancement Support Systems explained, being able to conduct clinical trials clinical trials to further test this idea. described Link to Care, a system his group is in people who are “scan-positive” for plaques Above all, UW-Madison faculty and developing to help caregivers with decision and/or tangles is key: computer modeling staff working on AD want patients and and planning guides, and to connect them indicates that this could reduce the number caregivers to know they are not alone. with others to build a support network. of people needed for a clinical trial from Jane Mahoney, MD (PG ’89), professor of Many of these efforts occur through the 1,000 participants to about 250. medicine and director of the Wisconsin actions of the National Institutes of Health- Detecting early-stage AD is one pillar Alzheimer’s Institute (WAI), described the funded ADRC and the WAI. of the UW-Madison program; research on tremendous impact of a network of memory Given the burden of AD on patients, prevention is another. Ozioma Okonkwo, clinics developed by the institute to serve caregivers and society, there is urgent need PhD, assistant professor of medicine, has people at 44 locations throughout Wisconsin for prevention, support and research. As the focused on a paradoxical observation: a and Michigan’s upper peninsula. People U.S. population ages, the future depends small percentage of people who develop experiencing cognitive decline can come to on these efforts. SMPH faculty and staff brain lesions remain cognitively normal, a these locations with a caregiver and receive members are relentlessly focused on making surprising finding first reported in the 1980s. memory screening, physician assessment a difference for patients and families. His research focuses on understanding this and information about resources available

QUARTERLY 25 RESEARCH ADVANCES

DNA Change Impacts Spread of Cancer-Causing Virus

newly discovered , and the virus does occurs are commonly mutated at later stages, and that lytic change in viral DNA is not actively replicate. But while or deactivated in NPC. infection is required for tumor A having disastrous the latent virus is “hiding,” part “We discovered that the formation because it helps effects in nasopharyngeal of its genome is producing modification can occur on spread the virus. carcinoma (NPC) in humans, oncogenic proteins that can the EBV genome and affects While most people according to a University of contribute to NPC. how EBV is regulated,” overcome EBV infection— Wisconsin School of Medicine Researchers discovered explains Shannon Kenney, MD, among the most common and Public Health (SMPH) that a certain epigenetic professor, SMPH Departments viruses in humans—it’s most study, which was published in modification of the of Oncology and Medicine. dangerous for those with the Proceedings of the National EBV genome, called “This is the first virus in which compromised immunity. Academy of Sciences. 5-hydroxymethylation, could this modification has been The study was a When the Epstein-Barr virus make EBV more infectious and shown. We know patients collaboration among SMPH (EBV) infects human cells, it revert to its lytic form, which with NPC have high levels of faculty members including takes its latent or lytic form. allows it to spread to other antibodies to EBV proteins Kenney; Eric Johannsen, MD, The virus’ lytic form actively nasopharynx cells. expressed in the lytic form of assistant professor, Department produces infectious particles The modification was for infection, indicating that they of Medicine; Paul Lambert, in an effort to spread to other the first time shown to regulate had a high-level lytic infection PhD ’85, chair, Department cells. A latent infection typically viral gene expression. The before developing NPC.” of Oncology, and director, occurs once the immune cellular proteins that control Researchers believe latent McArdle Laboratory for Cancer system suppresses a lytic whether this gene modification infection contributes to NPC Research; and several others.

Lung Cell Acts as Sensor, Regulator

n uncommon and little- sensors in the airway of They homed in on a pair of studied type of cell humans and other animals. genes known as ROBO1 and A in the lungs has been “We concluded that these ROBO2 for which mutations found to act like a sensor, cells, which make up less had previously been implicated linking the pulmonary and than 1 percent of cells in the in CDH. When Sun and her central nervous systems to airway epithelium, are capable colleagues were able to mimic regulate immune response in of receiving, interpreting and CDH, they discovered that reaction to environmental cues. responding to environmental PNECs were disorganized in mutant lungs. Sun says it The pulmonary neuroendocrine stimuli such as allergens or the ROBO mutants compared to seems they share information cells (PNEC) are implicated in chemicals mixed with air,” cells in healthy mice. to and from the brain. many human lung diseases and explains Sun, a professor in the “In the mutant, they remain Knowing that PNECs play a sudden infant death syndrome. SMPH Laboratory of Genetics. as solitary cells, not clusters, role in regulating host response Their function has been Discovering the cells’ and are much more sensitive to through neuropeptide release unknown. But a team led by function may provide new the environment,” says Sun. may help researchers find ways University of Wisconsin School therapeutic avenues for serious The team also showed that to prevent or cure diseases. of Medicine and Public Health pulmonary diseases. defects in PNECs—the only Several faculty and staff (SMPH) medical geneticist Xin Sun and her group known cells in the airway lining contributed to the study. Sun, PhD, reported in Science initially set out to find the linked to the nervous system— that PNECs are effective underlying cause of congenital caused the hyperactive diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). immune response in ROBO

26 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 Nanodiscs Help Reveal How Membranes Fuse

rom fertilizing an egg, valuable insight into the Institute professor in the UW to a virus entering a structure and regulation of School of Medicine and Public 279 cell or the release of fusion pores. Such pores range Health (SMPH) Department Syx1A 275 F 271 neurotransmitters into a in size, but are usually one or of Neuroscience—and synapse, cell membranes are two nanometers in diameter. postdoctorate researcher constantly fusing. The first In 2013, the Nobel Prize Huan Bao, PhD, turned to 101 MSP SNAREs Syb2 105 step in membrane fusion is the was awarded to investigators nanotechnology. 109 creation of a pore that forms who identified proteins that “The beauty of using the first connection between mediate most membrane- nanodiscs to study fusion the two membranes destined fusion reactions. This armed pores is the fact that they Resolving a conundrum, to fuse, but what that actually researchers with the molecules are bounded by membrane these experiments, published looks like had been unclear. that mediate fusion, but it’s scaffolding proteins,” says in Nature Structural and Using various approaches, unclear how the proteins work. Chapman. “Once the fusion Molecular Biology, revealed including nanodiscs—tiny Studying fusion pores is pores open, they can’t dilate that the pores are hybrid disc‑shaped patches challenging because they because the nanodisc can’t structures composed of lipids of membranes built by are open for only a few expand, trapping fusion pores and SNARE proteins. The lab researchers to help study thousandths of a second. To in their open state and making now seeks to study the kinetic membrane proteins— examine the structure of fusion it possible to study them at the properties of reconstituted University of Wisconsin- intermediates, Ed Chapman, biochemical and structural level fusion pores to gain even more Madison scientists gained PhD—Howard Hughes Medical for the first time.” detailed insights.

Scientists Grow Functional Vocal Cord Tissue

professor of surgery at the UW Welham and colleagues The tissue grew and was not School of Medicine and Public began with vocal-cord tissue rejected, performing equally Health (SMPH), and colleagues from a cadaver and four well in mice that had the from several disciplines patients who had their larynges larynx-cell donor’s immune bioengineered vocal-cord removed but did not have system and those with different tissue able to transmit sound, cancer. They isolated, purified human immune systems. they reported in Science and grew the cells from the “It seems like the Translational Medicine. mucosa, then applied them to engineered vocal cord tissue About 20 million Americans a 3-D collagen scaffold. The doesn’t set off a host immune suffer from voice impairments, cells grew together to form a reaction,” Welham says. niversity of Wisconsin- and many have damage to the tissue with a pliable but strong Because vocal-cord Madison scientists vocal-cord mucosae. connective tissue beneath, and tissue free of cancer is a rare Uhave grown functional “Voice is a pretty amazing layered epithelial cells on top. commodity, clinical applications vocal-cord tissue in the lab, a thing, yet we don’t give it Welham says it had qualities will require banking and major step toward restoring a much thought until something similar to normal tissue, and expansion of human cells or voice to people who have lost goes wrong,” says Welham. it vibrated like and sounded using stem cells derived from their vocal cords to cancer “Vocal cord tissue has to be similar to native tissue. bone marrow or other tissue. surgery or other injuries. flexible enough to vibrate, yet Finally, researchers tested Clinical applications are still Nathan Welham, PhD (photo strong enough to bang together whether the tissue would be years away, but Welham says above), a speech-language hundreds of times per second. rejected or accepted by mice this proof-of-principle study is pathologist and associate It’s a hard thing to replicate.” that had been engineered to a “robust benchmark.” have human immune systems.

QUARTERLY 27 FACULTY PROFILE Advancing Palliative Care JAMES CLEARY, MD, AND TOBY CAMPBELL, MD, MSCI (PG ’04)

James Cleary, MD (left), and Toby Campbell, MD, MSCI (PG ’04), have helped change the way doctors talk with patients about serious illnesses and approach end-of-life care.

28 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 by Susan Lampert Smith the next generation of medical students, “Can you teach empathy?” Campbell residents and fellows. Their core program for asks. “Yes, you can teach people to see and wo of the world’s leading medical SMPH third-year students consistently ranks respond skillfully to human suffering and journals recently turned to the among the most highly rated courses. distress. When we teach WeTALK workshops, TUniversity of Wisconsin School of Each year since 2009, UW Hospitals the participants emerge able to communicate Medicine and Public Health’s (SMPH) and Clinics has used Campbell’s “WeTALK” differently and more effectively compared to palliative-care leaders to frame important program to train new residents to the day before.” end-of-life care issues. communicate with patients about serious Increasing those the Palliative Care Toby Campbell, MD, MSCI (PG ’04), went illnesses. In 2014, the SMPH Department of Program can train, in 2015, for the first first, writing an editorial for theJournal of the Medicine employed WeTALK to train more time, it participated in the national match for American Medical Association in November than 600 faculty and staff members, and fellows, filling all four of its fellowship slots. 2015 about how his views have evolved as the school’s Department of Family Medicine Campbell succeeded Cleary as the chief he has learned from patients. He explains and Community Health plans to do the same of palliative care in 2011, giving Cleary that the “bucket list” approach to life’s end in 2016. This year, Campbell and his team more time to focus on helping improve pain can exhaust everyone. trained 29 acute care surgeons to use an control in the United States and around “Now I understand that fighting for a innovative communication tool he designed the world. Along with leading the UWCCC moment of ‘normal,’ for a minute that doesn’t with Gretchen Schwarze, MD, an associate Pain and Policy Studies Group and serving matter, is relevant and valuable,’’ wrote professor in the SMPH’s Department of as a member of the UW-Madison Global Campbell, an SMPH assistant professor Surgery, Division of , Health Initiative, Cleary is a leader of the of medicine. “I’ve since handwritten a called Best Case/Worst Case, for high-risk international Global Opioid Policy Initiative prescription for ‘a cancer-free weekend.’ shared decision making. Campbell leads and a member of Commission [A clinician] could be more like a coach a “PalliTALK” workshop for palliative care for Palliative Care and Pain Relief. He is giving permission to call a time out, during fellows from across the nation. concerned that a backlash to opioid addiction life’s two-minute drill, for a moment of “The UW is at the forefront of improving in the United States is leading to restricted normal amidst the noise of a life at its end.” doctor-patient communications across the access to that class of medication for people His mentor, James Cleary, MD, an enterprise,’’ notes Cleary. “We have changed with cancer and other serious illnesses. SMPH associate professor of medicine, was the way doctors talk to patients about “Our goal is to ensure access to those asked to write an editorial for The Lancet in serious illnesses.” who need opioids for medical purposes while February 2016, commenting on the fact that Still, the two physician-researchers reducing the risk of misuse and diversion,” failed pain policies mean people across Asia agree that much more needs to be done. Cleary explains. and Africa continue to die in pain, unable to Campbell cites a recent Despite these concerns, public awareness access drugs the World Health Organization New England Journal study showing that a large about palliative care has never been more considers essential. of Medicine majority of people with incurable cancer keen. Cleary and Campbell were featured Palliative care barely existed at don’t understand that their disease will likely in two documentaries, which aired on PBS, UW-Madison when Cleary arrived from kill them. They’ve found similar numbers in addressing communication at the end of life Australia 22 years ago to research pain relief research about their own cancer patients. called “Consider the Conversation.” A third in cancer care at the UW Carbone Cancer “Patients are told this news, but not documentary is being planned. Additionally, Center (UWCCC). in a way that registers,’’ Campbell says. the best-selling books , by “Dr. Paul Carbone asked me if I’d be Being Mortal “It’s because we speak in what I call Atul Gawande, MD, MPH, and interested in starting a palliative-care When Breath ‘onco-babble,’ treatment-focused talk that , by Paul Kalanithi, MD, have program,’’ says Cleary, who did so and Becomes Air often leaves no space for patients to grasp increased public dialogue. became the program’s first clinical director. the meaning of the oncologist’s words about Cleary says he’s seen growing Having since grown into a team of six an incurable disease.” appreciation over two decades for the idea physicians, an advanced practice nurse, Rather than rush into treatment that health care must focus not only on living pharmacist, social worker, psychologist discussions before their diagnosis has longer, but also on improving quality of life. and chaplain, the Palliative Care Program sunk in, Campbell has proposed a method Change is occurring, albeit slowly. provides inpatient and outpatient care for that facilitates a prognosis discussion “It’s like being aboard the Titanic,’’ Cleary patients who have any serious disease, between providers and patients so they shares. “The crew in the helm, and even the compared to some programs that focus can work through the process with their people playing in the band, know we have to solely on cancer. physicians. He also researches whether such change direction. Unlike the Titanic, the ship Along the way, Cleary and Campbell— communication training makes a difference is turning, but it takes time.” both UWCCC members—have trained in patient care. His results suggest it does.

QUARTERLY 29 HEALER'S JOURNEY

Prescription for Change Fostering Medical Student Conversations about Poverty

by Renie Schapiro, MPH, and physicians. Over the course of the When he told me this, I was Elizabeth J. Neary, MD ’91 discussion, they moved beyond their shocked and scared. The words While a small number of medical initial emotions and acknowledged “I’m never going to be beautiful” raced students grew up poor and some have the writers’ sentiments and feelings. through my mind. He then turned to worked with low-income people, many By the end of the discussion, my grandma and began to tell her have no experience with poverty. How they were suggesting ways to that there was nothing he could do can a medical school help students improve communication and better because I was overweight and was understand and empathize with understand patients’ lives outside going to have diabetes. Not only was I patients who live in poverty? the clinic; they also wrote about crying, but my grandmother was, too. At the University of Wisconsin this in their reflections. Overall, the I felt, and still feel, that this doctor did School of Medicine and Public Health Odyssey exercise fostered insightful not care about me. (SMPH), Public Health Integrative conversations around poverty, racial From that day on, I never looked Cases—with their experiential and inequities, biases and the need for at myself the same. That doctor was interactive focus—enable medical optimal care for all patients. unwilling to care for me because I students to examine the social Here are some excerpts from the did not have his preferred insurance determinants of health, including Odyssey alumni essays and medical and because I was at high risk for behavior, physical environment and student reflections: diabetes. He not only hurt me by socio-economic factors. A new type of Jaleah Price, granddaughter (right) of saying he could not help me, but also integrative case brought to students an Odyssey student (center, with another by predicting that I was going to have the voices of those who live in poverty. granddaughter) and participant in the diabetes. No doctor or health care In the Poverty Integrative Case, Odyssey Junior Program official should make a patient feel the first-year students explore the impact way this dermatologist made me feel, of poverty on health and health care. especially a child. To do so, the SMPH partnered Cassidy Bommer, M1 with UW-Madison’s Odyssey Project, My initial a unique program providing low- reaction was income adults an opportunity to take one of very humanities courses at the university. strong negativity It often is a life-changing experience; toward the for some, it is the gateway to a college physician. “How A tall, chubby, black girl walked degree they never expected. could you be so into a clinic, hopeful that SMPH faculty invited Odyssey dismissive to a her doctor would change the way alumni to write about a health care patient who came to you for care?” she saw herself. She suffered from a experience. Seventy first-year medical As we discussed this story, I came to discoloration of her skin. Whenever students chose to read and reflect on recognize the many possible sides of she saw her spotty skin in her the essays as one of their Integrative this encounter. reflection, she broke down and cried. Case activities. After reading the 12 Our group discussed the This young girl was me and is me now. essays, the students participated in a prevalence of miscommunication and The dermatologist who cared small group discussion facilitated by a misperception at the doctor’s office. for me was a tall, Caucasian man physician and wrote a final reflection. This physician said, “I can’t help you,” who wasn’t so pleasant. When he Many students were surprised at but what this young woman heard sat down, I could already feel his the anger expressed in the essays. was, “I won’t help you.” Furthermore, negative energy. He did not greet me It did not align with their views of she was under the impression that with a smile, nor did he shake my physicians or themselves. Some it was due to her health insurance. hand. He spoke very few words, but students defended the physicians I think the biggest takeaway here is the words that still stick out to me this or blamed the “system.” Others that, as future physicians, we need to day are: “I can’t help you.” expressed frustration with the be very aware of how our words are

30 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 perceived by patients and to actively Minbo Bai, M1 a drug that is the best one if it is encourage patients to advocate for Reading too expensive for the patient? Is it themselves. It is very possible that the essays unethical to prescribe a cheaper, this physician had no idea the impact was a powerful less effective drug if it is the one his words had on this young woman. experience. One the patient can afford? Will a huge Physicians, despite their best essay brought hospital bill decrease his or her quality efforts, label patients all the time. I up the issue of life to an extent that it is not worth think individual patient labels often of “wrap my it to have received the best care? If start to project themselves onto entire mind around someone can’t afford the medicine, groups of patients that may share patient’s realities.” She provided might he or she be embarrassed to similar histories or backgrounds. This poignant examples such as “they tell you and simply forgo picking up is not strictly a “physician problem;” (patients) had left their glasses at the prescription, when maybe the it’s a human one. home, that it could be their way of patient would have used the medicine Patients stereotype physicians, telling me they can’t read.” This made if it were a cheaper form? too. Turning over a new leaf with each me think. If a patient had come to patient, even when he or she could MEDiC or to my preceptor’s office Students also reflected on the be labeled one way or another, can be and said the same thing, I would not personal impact of these essays, incredibly powerful in changing the have picked up on this cue. It made underlining the importance of course of history on this issue. me think about all the other cues communication and respect, like this: Jasmine Banks, Odyssey alumnae that I likely have missed throughout Jeanette Comstock, M1 What do we my time volunteering at a public I am so assume or take health clinic. I realize that I often appreciative for granted when make assumptions about patients, of the people interacting with especially about things I consider who took others? People basic, such as food, shelter, literacy, time to share always seem etc. The reality is that for many people these stories. to assume that living in poverty, what I consider basic I think they everyone has could be a luxury. will stick with access to the same life and benefits me throughout medical school as I that they do, but to have those Several of the Odyssey writers said begin to see more patients and learn assumptions in the medical field they felt they were given inferior care, their stories. We all deserve to be can be very detrimental to a patient. such as not getting an MRI or being seen and heard, to receive care and You might assume that folks have told they couldn’t file a complaint, to be treated fairly, regardless of our money for an office visit copay or because they received Medical economic situation. Assistance. That led the students and prescription, that $5 to $10 isn’t that Odyssey alum (anonymous) much—unless they are on a fixed facilitators to explore issues around coverage and care, as follows: I am glad that the UW School of income or have no income. You might Medicine and Public Health is taking assume that people are leaving your Shilpa Kalluru, M1 a different approach in training. Thank care and going to a nice house, a We called you for this opportunity to be heard. hot meal and a clean, warm bed—a forward the place where they can rest and get question of Thank you to Odyssey Project alumni, comfortable. You might assume that a whether the Odyssey Project Director Emily Auerbach, parent who has children and just had patient truly PhD, and faculty Kevin Mullen, PhD, and at the SMPH to Stephen Bagwell and the surgery is going home to a spouse received physician small-group facilitators David who will help him or her with the different care Deci, MD; Gwen McIntosh, MD ’96; children so he or she can rest. You solely because Elizabeth J. Neary, MD ’91; and Erik might assume that folks can read of insurance. We also discussed Ranheim MD, PhD, for their important the writing on the pill bottle or the the idea of making sure to keep the contributions to this experience. instructions they have been given. whole patient in mind, including There’s More Online! finances. Is it reasonable to prescribe Visit med.wisc.edu/48004

QUARTERLY 31 GIVING BACK

Bentson Foundation PREPARING PHYSICIAN-SCIENTISTS FOR CAREER SUCCESS

Left to right: Paul Harari, MD, is grateful to Dan McCarty for introducing him to the Bentson Foundation leaders, who established the Radiation Oncology Research Fellowship Program.

32 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 by Sarah Perdue The dedicated training offered through the new two-year Bentson Fellowship can rom imaging to therapy, significantly diminish these challenges. electromagnetic radiation has long “These candidates are incredibly bright, played a central role in cancer F capable and talented physician-scientists, diagnosis and treatment. Thus, it is fitting but they simply need more time and training that radiowaves—indirectly, radio and in the research arena of their specialty,” says television stations—would have a connection Harari, whose research track record drew the to a new fellowship program in the University attention of Bentson Foundation leaders, as of Wisconsin School of Medicine and did the prospect of helping foster growth in Public Health’s (SMPH) Department of oncology research. Human Oncology. “We try to see who is doing breakthrough What’s the connection? Bentson work in alignment with areas of impact we Foundation founders Larry and Nancy want to have,” shares Judi Dutcher, executive Bentson of St. Paul, Minnesota, had an Larry and Nancy Bentson created a foundation to fund director of the Bentson Foundation. ownership interest in several Madison scholarships for medical research and training. For more than a decade, Harari has media outlets, including WZEE-FM and dreamed of starting a fellowship program like WKOW-TV. Through their success, they he felt the foundation’s support could help the Bentson Fellows at the SMPH, although created the foundation and a lasting legacy advance opportunities for early-career he was unsure how to fund it. Eight years of philanthropy that focuses on gifts to higher physician-scientists. He and foundation ago, he organized a head and neck cancer education, public health, and the arts and leaders stayed in touch to develop the theme. interest group with patients and family humanities. Creating the Radiation Oncology “Late last summer, they approached me members who helped spread awareness Research Fellowship Program was a new again about the fellowship, and through of the disease and raise funds for research venture for the Bentson Foundation, and the collaborative planning, the program has and training. $2.25 million gift represents the foundation’s come together beautifully,” Harari notes. “One of my patients at the time, Dan first gift to UW-Madison. Harari and colleagues are actively McCarty, said, ‘You know, Paul, I have a great “We are thrilled with the generous gift interviewing fellowship candidates, and relationship with a business leader, Larry from the Bentson Foundation. The new the first fellows will begin at the SMPH in Bentson, who has established a foundation Bentson Fellowship Program will be a summer 2016 or 2017. Over the 10 years that I think might be interested in connecting “game changer” in creating a strong pipeline of the funding provided by the Bentson with you to see what opportunities exist,’ ” of future leaders in the field of radiation Foundation, each fellow will receive up to Harari recalls, adding that the conversation oncology,” says Robert Golden, MD, dean two years of support and devote at least eventually led to a meeting with Bentson of the SMPH. 80 percent of his or her time and effort in Foundation leaders in 2014. Paul Harari, MD, professor and chair, a mentored research laboratory setting. “Dan is a cancer survivor and highly Department of Human Oncology, says the Fellows also will engage in structured training committed individual who helped us make gift’s timing is perfect, noting “We’re at a activities designed to promote future career an incredible connection with the Bentson time in our history when several factors make success, including participating in grant- and Foundation,” says Harari. it difficult for physician-scientist trainees to article-writing workshops, designing research Dutcher shares, “Dr. Harari and his smoothly enter faculty positions and launch protocols that bridge lab-to-clinic activities work were brought to our attention, and he successful careers without an extra boost.” and working closely with a faculty and career shared a presentation about the combination Harari explains that future Bentson mentorship committee. of radiotherapy with molecular targeting Fellows will typically be early-career MD or “The Bentson Fellowship will provide drugs—work for which he is renowned. MD/PhD graduates who have the degree an important bridge for young physician- Larry Bentson ultimately passed away from credentials to run their own research scientists as they transition into faculty esophageal cancer. He had experienced laboratories but who face significant positions,” Harari concludes. “We want to the of radiation associated with challenges for scientific career success. help position these talented individuals for treatment, and we feel that Dr. Harari is doing These challenges include intense competition success as they embark on careers that have important work to reduce the side effects of for federal research grants, limited years of the potential to bring enormous benefits to radiation treatment that will positively affect pre- or post-doctoral training compared to cancer patients for the future.” the lives of many.” classical PhD scientists, and the significant Harari suggested that the Bentson time commitment devoted to clinical care Foundation fund a fellowship program in the duties as they begin their faculty positions. Department of Human Oncology because

QUARTERLY 33 STUDENT LIFE

ANDERSON AND MARKUSEN COMPLETE Ironman Wisconsin

M3 Nick Anderson (on bike) pulls his friend Halden Markusen during the Wisconsin Ironman triathlon.

34 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 hile friends sometimes complete triathlons together, for one such Wduo, the Ironman Wisconsin challenge was bigger than usual. In fall 2015, this challenge took on a whole new meaning for Nick Anderson, a third-year medical student at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH). He completed the race with his friend, Halden Markusen, even though Halden’s cerebral palsy means he is unable to run, bike or swim on his own. It’s not the first race during which Anderson “loaned his arms and legs” to Markusen, but it is the longest. Anderson pulled Markusen in a raft for the 2.4-mile swim, towed him in a trailer for the 112-mile bike ride, and pushed him in a specialized cart for the 26.2-mile run. They walked across the finish line together. The friends credit their ability to accomplish the 140.6 mile journey to the guidance and vision of myTeam Triumph (mTT), an organization that unites athletes with people with disabilities to do races ranging from 5K runs to Ironman triathlons. Why did you decide to run the Ironman Wisconsin with Markusen, and what was it like? M3 Nick Anderson (right) and Halden Markusen (center) cross the Wisconsin Ironman finish line, where I did my first Ironman in fall 2013. The they are met by Markusen’s cousin, AJ Dahl, who introduced the two friends years ago. life-changing experience taught me more about myself than I expected. However, the was because of what he was accomplishing. Halden has lived an incredibly challenging journey was filled with personal sacrifices I found myself in tears as they cheered! life, and I can’t imagine a more deserving and felt largely selfish. This made me seek We initially were nervous about how person to have the Ironman experience. It will out something more for my racing. Halden would handle the long race day— remain one of the greatest days of my life. During my first Ironman, I saw a team of for which we woke up at 4 am and started What did you learn about yourself racers who were doing the Ironman together our swim at 6:50 am, 10 minutes before the during the race? through myTeam Triumph—and I thought solo racers. However, even at mile 24 of the I learned how important it is to keep living of my lifelong friend, Halden. That inspired run, he was throwing his hands up in glee as life and doing what you love. The medical me to talk with him about taking on the we passed spectators yelling his name. profession is flooded with responsibilities that Ironman Wisconsin together. Within a couple While Halden can't always express can consume us if we are not cautious. of months, with the help of myTeam Triumph, himself in typical ways, when he embraces I completed my first two Ironman races, he and I began a year of training. me at the finish line and talks about doing including the one with Halden, during Of the thousands who complete an future races with mTT, I know what I’m doing medical school. People may have thought Ironman, only a few have disabilities. Halden is significant and beyond myself. Providing I was crazy to take them on at that time, but and I were given a life-changing opportunity. the legs so Halden can do a 5K, marathon or I ask, “If not now, when?” We all can relate Ironically, pushing Halden was hardly that, Ironman is secondary to the motivation and to how fragile life can be—and that includes as he was the one “carrying” me. His joy, positive attitude he shares with those around our own. The time to live is now. happiness and humor were magical. When him every day. Racing with Halden is my thousands of spectators cheered for us, it small gift in return. was not because of what Halden cannot do, it —continued on next page RYAN O’HARA/RPO PHOTO (2) RYAN

QUARTERLY 35 Why do you run? their stories—not just about their health What medical field are you pursuing? Endurance sports have been a huge part conditions, but also where they are from, I plan to go into pediatrics. I derive my of my mental health journey. I began the what they do, and about their family, greatest meaning by providing a voice to Ironman experience at a point when I was not passions, greatest joys and deepest sorrows. those who don’t always have one. No other happy with where my life was emotionally. I want to be able to heal the body and heart. field makes me smile so much. I love the My grades were fine, and I had support from No profession allows more intimate access to pure candidness of children. my friends, but something meaningful was the human condition than being a physician. Why did you choose the UW School of missing. How could I be on the ultimate Are there similarities in training for Medicine and Public Health? journey to take care of others when I felt that an Ironman and to be a doctor? I am a Wisconsinite through and through. I couldn’t even take care of myself? Yes, there are many similarities. For I grew up in Eau Claire, and I received Triathlons, marathons and the necessary instance, you must wake up every day my undergraduate degree in biomedical training provide the space in which I find committed to a cause and give it your all. engineering from UW-Madison, so I knew time to understand myself. A stressful day Both require resilience because there what I was signing up for at the SMPH. It is wiped away with a bike ride because of will always be struggles to work through. is one of the best medical schools in the the way the sun glistens on the horizon. The The outcome depends most on how we country and has incredible teachers, which smell of a fresh-cut lawn brings nostalgic handle situations. For instance, I couldn’t is important to me because I want to teach. thoughts from my childhood. The smile and get rid of a stress fracture just as I couldn’t Learning from physicians who have trained wave of a passing biker reminds me that we avoid reading the 550-page cardiovascular worldwide is a special privilege, and I believe all are connected. These feelings provide medicine text in medical school, but I could the school’s focus on public health equips us happiness, which I think is the quintessential overcome these things to reach my goals. to be active players in the biggest health care ingredient in a healthy life. Attitude is everything. I ask my friends to challenges facing the medical community. Why do you want to be a physician? remind me of my choices anytime I complain. I want to be a doctor because I love Remembering the reason I started this connecting with people. I love hearing journey helps keep things in perspective.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE continued from page 12 professor in the Division of Geriatrics and “This can help us pinpoint factors that trials, and we’ll know if we’re on the right Gerontology, Okonkwo is running a study confer risk or resilience,” Johnson says. track with targeting these amyloid proteins,” funded by the Alzheimer’s Association to see “When we identify cognitive decline, we she says. “We’ll have a better understanding if physical activity can prevent symptoms can look back at data from earlier visits and of the factors that lead to Alzheimer’s. It may from appearing. determine which features might predict seem like we are taking baby steps, but we All the data on WRAP participants future symptomatic disease.” have a much better understanding of the has drawn international attention from Johnson is using imaging tools to search disease than we did 10 years ago.” researchers interested in “big-data” analysis, for early biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease And Knuti is doing her part to make sure leading the SMPH to form a partnership in the brain—the amyloid plaques and progress comes as quickly as possible. She’s called Swoop-Med to interrogate the data in neurofibrillary tangles that previously weren’t six years younger than her mother was when a way that makes it easier to search for clues seen until autopsy. He hopes this will lead her mother’s Alzheimer’s was diagnosed. to better target diagnosis and treatment. to earlier diagnosis and treatment, as well Knuti eats healthy foods, works out at a gym Sterling Johnson, PhD, the Jean R. Finley as a better chance to enroll into the studies and hopes an answer comes soon. Professor of Geriatrics and Dementia in people who are on a pathway to Alzheimer’s. “I feel like I’m a little ahead of the curve the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, While past years have yielded in this race, but I have to keep up my pace,” associate director of the ADRC and the important clues, there’s still no cure and she says. “If the information we learn from principal investigator of the WRAP study, says no effective treatment for the disease. UW research allows us to put off getting the perhaps WRAP’s greatest contribution is its Cindy Carlsson, MD (PG ’98), an associate disease by five years, just think how much wealth of data, going back an average of professor in the Division of Geriatrics and that would save our society.” nine years for each participant and including Gerontology who is running the Wisconsin blood samples, spinal fluid and other site for the A-4 drug trial, remains optimistic. biomarkers, plus cognitive test results and “I think in five years we’re going to have lifestyle and health information. the results back from some of these large

36 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 SPOTLIGHT

KAPLAN APPOINTED CEO OF UW HEALTH GROSSMAN LAUDED FOR INCREDIBLE CAREER

lan S. dean of the University of Wisconsin by Beth Fultz Kaplan, School of Medicine and Public Health In May 2016, Jeff Grossman, MD— (SMPH) and chair of the UW Health A MD (PG ’82), will officially end a nationally board. “He is a change agent who has renowned health successfully transformed clinical care his tenure as CEO of UW Health, care leader with in several different settings, and I look the integrated health system a proven track forward to his leading UW Health on a he played an influential role record of leading similar journey.” in shaping during his more large-scale Kaplan is board-certified in than 40-year career. Even as clinical and emergency medicine. Prior to joining Grossman hands the reins to incoming CEO Alan S. cultural transformation with a focus on UnityPoint Health in 2009, he served Kaplan, MD, he has graciously accepted Kaplan’s care coordination—has been selected as vice president and chief medical request to continue working on the funds flow model as the new chief executive officer of officer at Edward Health Services Corp. and other special projects for the integrated enterprise UW Health. He is expected to start his (EHSC), a health-care system based in that was created by the July 2015 merger of University new role in early May 2015. Naperville, Illinois. of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority (UWHC) Kaplan is the executive vice president He received his medical degree from and UW Medical Foundation (UWMF). and chief clinical transformation officer Rush University in Chicago in 1985 and Grossman’s willingness to serve as interim leader for UnityPoint Health in West Des Moines, a master’s in medical management from Iowa. He is the founder and president/ Carnegie Mellon University in 2000. He enabled UW Health to move forward with integration CEO of UnityPoint Clinic, providing is a fellow of the American College of while conducting the national search that culminated in leadership for 1,300 providers. Kaplan Healthcare Executives and a fellow of Kaplan’s appointment. Grossman’s 10 months as CEO also serves as president/CEO of the American Association of Physician capped a UW Health tenure that began as a resident. UnityPoint at Home, a provider of home Leadership, where he previously served He joined the UW School of Medicine and Public Health care, palliative, hospice and home as chairman of the board. (SMPH) faculty in 1982 and moved up through the infusion services. UnityPoint Health is UW Health is the integrated health top ranks of academic and executive leadership. His a large, highly integrated network of system of the UW-Madison, with appointment in 1997 to the newly created position hospitals, clinics, home care and health 1,400 physicians and 16,500 staff at of enterprise physician-in-chief signaled early efforts plan services. The nonprofit, which six hospitals and 80 outpatient sites. to create an integrated clinical delivery system that includes UnityPoint Health-Meriter, It is governed by the UW Hospitals encompassed both UWMF and UWHC. That goal operates in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. and Clinics Authority and partners became a major theme of his career and reached “Dr. Kaplan’s outstanding record with the SMPH to fulfill patient care, fruition with the merger of the two organizations. of driving and managing change and research, education and community- integration will be of great value to service missions. Along the way, Grossman served with distinction as UW Health as we move forward toward In his new role, Kaplan will succeed chair of the SMPH Department of Medicine, president becoming a more fully integrated Jeff Grossman, MD (PG ’82), who has and CEO of UWMF, and senior associate dean for academic health-care system devoted served as interim CEO of UW Health clinical affairs at the SMPH, where he is a professor to seamless care centered around our since July 2015 (see sidebar article.) of medicine. patients,” says Robert Golden, MD, Throughout his career, Grossman maintained a commitment to patient care. An outstanding clinician in pulmonary and critical care medicine, he cared for patients in the UWHC Trauma and Life Support Center and in the outpatient setting. For many years, he has been named among the Best Doctors® in America. “Jeff has created a permanent legacy of excellence in our clinical and academic missions,” says Robert Golden, MD, dean of the SMPH and chair of the UW Health board.

QUARTERLY 37 SPOTLIGHT

SHANNON APPOINTED CHAIR OF

athleen M. Shannon, MD, St. Luke’s Medical Center. She MD, dean of the SMPH. will become the next also has been on the medical “Wisconsin is fortunate to Kchair of the Department faculty of Vanderbilt University in have attracted Dr. Shannon to of Neurology at the University of Nashville, Tennessee. this vital leadership position in Wisconsin School of Medicine A specialist in movement our school and our academic and Public Health (SMPH). disorders, Shannon is the health system.” She will begin her new role on principal investigator on multiple Shannon will succeed July 1, 2016. research studies on Parkinson’s Thomas Sutula, MD, PhD, who A professor of neurological and Huntington’s disease. She has served as Department of sciences at Rush University is widely published in the field Neurology chair since 1995. Medical Center in Chicago, and has been active in the The department provides Shannon also holds the title Huntington Study Group and the care for patients with diseases of Nan Burridge and Family Parkinson Study Group. of the nervous system; conducts Endowed Scholar in Parkinson’s “This is a very exciting basic and clinical sciences Disease. She completed her time in the evolution of clinical research into neurological medical degree, internship neurosciences, and Dr. Shannon disorders; and educates medical and residency in neurology has the experience and skills students, residents, fellows and and fellowship in movement to lead our Department of other graduate students. disorders at Rush Medical Neurology to ever greater College and Rush-Presbyterian- heights,” says Robert Golden,

NEW NIH GRANT FUNDS EPILEPSY RESEARCH

he Medical College of of Medical Physics, UW School epilepsy from across Wisconsin. studies, make this collaborative Wisconsin (MCW) and of Medicine and Public Health Results will be compared against group an ideal one to conduct TUniversity of Wisconsin– (SMPH), and professor and healthy control data from the this study.” Madison have received a chair, UW-Madison Department NIH’s Human Connectome According to the Centers for four-year, $5 million grant of , and Project to determine whether Disease Control and Prevention, from the National Institutes of Jeffrey Binder, MD, professor of systematic changes occur about 2.9 million children and Health’s (NIH) National Institute neurology and biophysics, MCW. in people with epilepsy. adults in the United States have of Neurological Disorders and The project involves 14 other Variations in the connectome active epilepsy. Stroke to study brain networks in key team members from both will be examined to determine Study participants between people with epilepsy. institutions, as well as teams at relationships with clinical ages of 18 and 60 will be This clinical study, called Froedtert Hospital, Aurora Health outcomes such as frequency studied in an outpatient setting. the Epilepsy Connectome Care and Marshfield Clinic. of seizures, responsiveness to “Cutting-edge imaging Project, will use state-of-the-art “Connectome” refers to a seizure medication and changes methods will allow us to noninvasive brain imaging to comprehensive map of neural in cognitive abilities. generate a much more understand how communication connections in the brain. The “We are hopeful that our comprehensive picture of brain between brain areas changes Epilepsy Connectome Project is findings will lead to new tools changes due to epilepsy than as a result of epilepsy, and how the first effort to describe these allowing optimal diagnosis has ever been possible,’’ says changes contribute to seizure complex networks in a large and individualized treatment Meyerand. “We are excited at the recurrence and other epilepsy- group of individuals with a well- for people with epilepsy,” says prospect that this collaboration related health problems. defined neurological condition. Binder. “The expertise at MCW between two stellar Wisconsin The principal investigators Researchers will collect and UW–Madison in physics and institutions will yield impactful are Elizabeth Meyerand, PhD, detailed measurements in functional MRI technologies, as advances in patient care.” a professor in the Department 200 adults with temporal-lobe well as in functional connectivity

38 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 CARNES AND GILCHRIST RECEIVE NATIONAL HONORS

olly Carnes, MD, of Women’s Health Research MS ’01 (PG ’83) in the University of Wisconsin M(left photo), earned the School of Medicine and Public 2016 Presidential Recognition Health’s (SMPH) Department Award from the American of Medicine and director of the Medical Women’s Association UW-Madison Center for Women’s (AMWA). It is the oldest Health Research. She earned her multispecialty organization medical degree from the State dedicated to advancing women University of New York at Buffalo in medicine and improving and completed an internal women’s health. medicine residency, geriatrics AMWA chose Carnes for her fellowship and master’s in The ADFM represents medical degree and completed a strong role in improving gender, epidemiology at UW-Madison. departments of family medicine family practice residency at the ethnic and racial diversity in Valerie Gilchrist, MD at academic health centers, University of Toronto. Additionally, the physician workplace, and (right photo), chair of the and allopathic and osteopathic she completed a fellowship in because her mentorship and Department of Family Medicine medical schools across the faculty development in family leadership has had significant and Community Health, is the nation. Its mission is to transform medicine at the University of impact for women across the president-elect of the Association education and research to North Carolina, Chapel Hill. nation and beyond. of Departments of Family promote health equity and She previously served on the Carnes is the Jean Medicine (ADFM). She began her improve the health of the nation. board of the ADFM and other Manchester Biddick Professor term in February 2016. Gilchrist joined the SMPH as associations. chair in 2008. She earned her

AHLQUIST AND BROW EARN AWARDS FOR EXEMPLARY SERVICE

aul Ahlquist, PhD ’81 to him as one of UW-Madison’s (left photo), earned “most-prized faculty members.” Pa 2016 University It also mentions his superb and of Wisconsin-Madison long-standing research record, Hilldale Award. leadership skills, and tireless For three decades, university efforts in promoting science and faculty have been singled out training future scientists. by their peers for distinguished In addition to his research contributions to teaching, into RNA viruses, HIV, research and service. Since papillomavirus and others, 1987, a scholar from each of the Ahlquist advises graduate four faculty divisions has been students in four programs, Chemistry, is among 12 winners medical students. He has honored with the prestigious leads the UW Carbone Cancer of the 2016 UW-Madison contributed to the direction of award. Ahlquist was honored in Center Human Cancer Virology Distinguished Teaching Awards. several campus PhD programs the biological sciences division. Program, serves on faculty Since 1953, the honor has in the biological sciences. His He is the Paul J. Kaesberg mentoring committees, teaches recognized the university’s finest National Institutes of Health- Professor of Oncology and a virology course and leads educators. funded research program has Molecular Virology, a Howard the Virology Minority Summer Brow joined the UW-Madison made important contributions Hughes Medical Institute Research Program. faculty in 1989 and has to the field of RNA biology, and Investigator and a member of the David Brow, PhD (right photo), established himself as an his expertise is highly sought National Academy of Sciences. professor in the UW School of enthusiastic, dedicated educator after in the United States and His nomination letter referred Medicine and Public Health’s who makes the arcane around the world. Department of Biomolecular accessible to his first-year

QUARTERLY 39 PERSPECTIVES

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF TRANSPLANTATION Facts, Figures and Faces of Courage olid organ whose research on acquired immunological transplantation tolerance in the 1940s paved the way Shas been toward eliminating the need for lifelong considered one of . Dr. Folkert Belzer, the most important previous chair of the SMPH Department of medical advances Surgery, developed the cold organ pulsatile in the last half of perfusion system; and he and Dr. James the 20th century. Southard, a basic scientist in the same Hundreds of department, developed the transplant cold thousands of patients have benefited storage preservation solution (UW Solution) from the gift of life, made possible by the that transformed deceased donor organ generosity of organ donors. On March 16, transplantation worldwide. 2016, UW Health reached a milestone— Continuing this rich history, our endeavors the 50th anniversary of its program’s first include projects in many of the major SMPH transplant. clinical and basic science departments, choosing to give the gift of life while keeping The UW Health Transplant Program as well as partnerships with institutions their loved ones’ legacies alive and by has performed more than 15,000 organ around the country. Our researchers are sharing their stories to encourage others to transplants, making it one of the largest and developing new modalities to improve organ become registered organ, tissue and eye most successful in the world. Its wide- preservation, improve post-transplant organ donors. Further, volunteers and government ranging impact exemplifies the Wisconsin function and reduce the need for anti- leaders connect with us to improve organ Idea, a significant point of pride. rejection medications. To better understand donation efforts and legislation, respectively. We envision ourselves as a national the risks and benefits of clinical decisions, We wish to connect with you to help leader in transplantation, inspiring hope and we study our transplant outcomes and health us ensure that the UW Health Transplant saving lives as we champion innovations quality services to reveal opportunities for Program has the highest possible impact in the care of patients with end-stage improvement. Most of our studies receive on our community and nation. Please save organ failure. The UW Health Transplant funding from the National Institutes of Health, the dates of July 29 and 30, 2016, so you Program’s success depends largely attesting to the program’s national reputation. can join us at the special activities we have on highly collaborative, team-oriented Training the next generation of transplant planned to celebrate our 50-year anniversary. approaches to its clinical, scientific and clinicians and scientists is an integral part Our celebrations’ themes are “50 Years educational missions. of our mission. Our transplant fellowships of Courage” and “Hope, Meet Gratitude.” Our interdisciplinary clinical program are among the most sought-after in the Please read more about our plans at serves adult kidney, pancreas, liver, heart, nation. The abdominal surgery and medicine www.uwhealth.org/HopeMeetGratitude. lung, intestinal, islet and multi-organ transplant fellowships celebrated their We would love to have you see the faces transplant patients, as well as pediatric 30-year anniversary in 2015 by reuniting of everyone involved in this remarkable kidney and liver patients. We are proud to be many of the nation’s transplant leaders who program as we celebrate our rich history one the nation’s few programs approved to trained here. and share our vision for the next 50 years. serve veterans. Our program’s guiding principle is The best is yet to come! Bold, prodigious basic science and connecting lives. For 50 years, thousands clinical research endeavors at the UW School of people have been touched by our Dixon B. Kaufman, MD, PhD of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) and team members’ dedication to excellence. Ray D. Owen Professor University Hospital shaped advances in Transplant recipients, their families and Chief, Division of Transplantation transplantation. Numerous faculty members UW Health physicians, clinical staff, Department of Surgery greatly impacted this field. Among the administrators and donation professionals University of Wisconsin School of Medicine first was Dr. Ray D. Owen, a geneticist are strongly connected. Donors and donor and Public Health and pioneering transplant immunologist family members also connect lives by

40 VOLUME 18 • NUMBER 1 i know ... OR DO I? If you think you can identify any or all of the people in the you photograph above, send your guess to [email protected]. We’ll draw one of the correct responses and announce the winner in the next issue of Quarterly.

HINT: A classmate indicates that these hockey players were in one SMPH class. We Want to University of Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association Nonprofit Org. Health Sciences Learning Center U.S. Postage Hear From You 750 Highland Ave. PAID Madison, WI 53705 Madison, WI Please send us information about your honors, Permit No. 2117 appointments, career advancements, publications, volunteer work and other activities of interest. We’ll include your news in the Alumni Notebook section of the Quarterly as space allows. Please include names, dates and locations. Photographs are encouraged. Have you moved? Please send us your new address.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association Health Sciences Learning Center 750 Highland Ave. Madison, WI 53705 OR online at med.wisc.edu/alumni/share-your-news/874 OR e-mail [email protected] MS-44562-16

WISCONSIN MEDICAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEDICAL ALUMNI weekend

SAVE THE DATE ANNUAL REUNION FOR THE HALF-CENTURY SOCIETY June 2-4, 2016 MADISON, WI And reunions for the Classes of ’51, ’56, ’61 and ’66