Physician assistant program could expand to UW-Platteville

Under the concept, students would earn a degree through UW-Madison's nationally recognized program by attending classes at UW-Platteville. UW-Madison would provide administrative oversight.

Researchers probe cell division defects to gain insight into cancer

Mark Burkard (pictured above), associate professor of medicine, and two of his UW Carbone Cancer Center colleagues — Beth Weaver, associate professor of cell and regenerative biology, and Aussie Suzuki, assistant professor of oncology — are leading efforts to better understand chromosome segregation and its contributions to disease.

Mysteries of chromosome mis-segregation still abound, even though the topic is a staple of biology textbooks. “It’s really important to understand the basic mechanisms of how chromosomes segregate in normal cells, and then look at whether those mechanisms are different in cancers,” says Burkard.

Welcome, new residents and fellows

This July, hundreds of new residents and fellows have begun the next phase of their clinical training in the 71 accredited specialty and subspecialty programs that are overseen by the Office of Graduate Medical Education and family medicine residency programs under the purview of the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health.

The month is filled with new beginnings both for residents and fellows and for the approximately 1,500 faculty attendings who guide them.

“We are delighted to welcome 200 new residents and fellows into our Graduate Medical Education Community for the next chapter of their professional careers,” says Susan Goelzer, associate dean of graduate medical education and professor of anesthesiology, medicine and population health sciences. Goelzer serves as Senior Medical Director for Graduate Medical Education and UW Health Designated Institutional Official.

“This transition and the resulting growth as physicians is a deeply meaningful period for our trainees, but also for all the medical professionals who mentor and support them in the clinical learning environment.”

Goelzer’s thoughts were echoed by William Schwab, professor of family medicine and vice chair for education in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. “Each of our four UW SMPH-sponsored family medicine residency programs across the state and the four programs for whom we are academic partners warmly welcomes incoming first year residents this month,” says Schwab. “We are very pleased to have them join us as they prepare to shape the future of family medicine in Wisconsin and beyond.”

Submit an application for the Paster Family Foundation Award

The Paster Family Foundation is excited to announce the creation of a new innovation award designed to recognize and encourage discoveries on our medical campus that advance human health. Any faculty, staff or student employee of SMPH, UW Health, or the William S. Middleton Veterans Memorial Hospital is eligible to apply by August 16 for the $5,000 award.

Jonathan Engle earns Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

Established in 1996, the award program recognizes contributions that advance science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM) education, as well as community service as demonstrated through scientific leadership, public education and community outreach.

Engle was one of five Wisconsinites to receive the awards, which were announced on July 2.

Visiting fellows provide Young African Leadership Initiative talks on health topics

The Fellows, who are visiting as part of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) hosted by the U.S. Department of State, will share the innovative ways they are reaching their goals in a series of four YALI Global Health Seminars. The remaining two seminars will be held July 16 and 23 from 5 to 6:15 p.m. at the Health Sciences Learning Center.

Three to four scholars will speak during each seminar, giving 15 minute presentations about their work, with time for questions following.

New SMPH policies

Administrative policies for SMPH cover a range of topics relating to the operational functions of our school. Policies are organized into categories including Academic Affairs, Administration and Legal Affairs, Clinical and Translational Research, Compliance, Facilities and Space Management, Fiscal Affairs, Human Resources, and Information Technology. The SMPH Intranet is the information source for release of new policies, new versions of existing policies, and discontinuation of policies.

Recent policy changes include the following:

• Policy 80.100, Consent for Sensitive Exams Under Anesthesia, released July 9, 2019. The purpose of this policy is to outline the expectations of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health about how we engage with patients regarding the involvement of health professions students in certain sensitive aspects of their care. Specifically, this policy summarizes how we obtain and document consent for Sensitive Exams to be performed by Health Professions Students while patients are under anesthesia or are otherwise sedated. 

Laying the groundwork for new leadership in Equity, Inclusion and Engagement

As we prepare to develop a revised leadership position in the area of equity, inclusion and engagement at the School of Medicine and Public Health, the Office of the Dean is collaborating with the UW Office of Strategic Consulting this summer so that we can move our work in this area forward with strength and intentionality.

The end result of this process will be a position vacancy listing for the new leader, a better understanding of the current work being done at the school, and a clearer view of where our challenges and opportunities lie.

We plan to complete the assessment work by August in preparation for a leadership search in late summer or early fall. Stay tuned for further updates about this important effort.

All of Us open house kickoff event in Fort Atkinson

Members of the public and personnel at the UW Health Fort Atkinson Clinic gathered on July 13 to celebrate the partnership between the All of Us Research Program and the clinic. Attendees toured the clinic and enjoyed refreshments while learning how they can help improve the future of health in Wisconsin by participating in the All of Us Research Program. Special guests included members of CHETA (Children’s Hospital Emergency Transport Ambulance), who arrived via Med Flight helicopter, and Bucky Badger.

Mark your calendar for these faculty development events and opportunities

SMPH events:

• New faculty orientation, September 20
• Pathways to Promotion 102, October 10

Campus events:

• Instructor Learning Environment and Pedagogics Institute, August 22-23

Learn more about these events at the Office for Faculty Affairs and Development event website.

Headlines and announcements

LifeMatters

The UW-Madison Employee Assistance Office has expanded its services to provide UW-Madison employees and their family members with free 24/7 confidential access to professional counselors for assistance with life, work, family, and wellbeing. Appointments with LifeMatters counselors are available in-person, via chat, text, or video.

Learn more

School news:

• Aaron Struck wins award for research to better predict seizures
• Telehealth program dramatically boosts diabetic eye screenings
• Register for Obesity Management Summit CME course on October 4

Save the date:

• SMPH fall faculty/staff town hall, October 28, 4:30-6 p.m. in 1335 Health Sciences Learning Center
• Inaugural SMPH Symposium for Women in Medicine, November 20, 2:30-5:30 p.m. at the Health Sciences Learning Center