Department Awards and Recognition Ceremony

The Department of Ob-Gyn holds an awards and recognition ceremony in June each year. Department awards recognize faculty, trainee, advanced practice provider, staff, and adjunct educator accomplishments in research, mentorship, education, clinical excellence, and more.

2025 Department Awards and Recognition Ceremony

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Breakfast will be served in the HSLC in Room 1335.

Portrait of Ellen Hartenbach

The Dr. Samuel G. Perlson Scholarship
Awarded to one or more fourth year medical students planning to pursue a career in Ob-Gyn who have demonstrated outstanding abilities and humanistic qualities.

The T.A. Leonard Award
Awarded to one or more medical students in recognition of exemplary performance on their phase 2 Ob-Gyn rotation.

Medical Student Educator Award for Resident Teaching
Awarded to the Ob-Gyn resident who exhibits a high interest in teaching, actively involves students in patient care, teaches at an appropriate level, and is a great role model.

Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association (WMAA) Outstanding Resident Teaching Award
Voted on by all UW-Madison’s fourth year medical students for the most exceptional resident teacher in any area from across the entire statewide campus.

Chief Resident Recognition 
For service as administrative chief resident and education chief resident, academic year 2024-2025.

UW Health Interdisciplinary Global Health Track Recognition – Presented by Jennifer Karnowski, MD
Awarded to a graduating resident upon the completion of the Global Health Track.  

UW Health Rural Training Track Recognition – Presented by Ryan Spencer, MD, MS
Awarded to a graduating resident upon the completion of the Rural Training Track. 
Quality Improvement Chief Resident Recognition – Presented by Katherine Sampene, MD and Sumer Wallace, MD, MS
For service as quality improvement chief resident, academic year 2024-2025.
The Resident Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) Award
Awarded to the resident who received the highest exam score on the annual CREOG In-Training Examination.

The Ben M. Peckham Award 
Awarded to a PGY4 resident for excellence in the reaching and clinical practice of Ob-Gyn.

The Numan Al-Niaimi Resident Award in Surgical Excellence 
Awarded to an Ob-Gyn PGY3 or PGY4 for the most outstanding surgical article.

Society of Gynecological Oncology (SGO) Award – Presented by Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS
Awarded to a PGY3 resident who best exemplifies the qualities of the mission and vision of SGO. 

Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology (SASGOG) Resident Award – Presented by Katherine Sampene, MD (on behalf of Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD)
Awarded to a PGY4 resident who has distinguished themselves academically and demonstrates an interest in a career as an Academic Specialist.

American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) Award – Presented by Ellen Hartenbach, MD
Awarded to a PGY3 resident who demonstrates a commitment to the care of women with pelvic floor disorders and to incorporating quality of life improvement into clinical care of patients.

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) Award – Presented by Janine Rhoades, MD
Awarded to the PGY2 resident who best exemplifies the qualities of the vision of our society to improve pregnancy and perinatal outcomes.

Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (SREI) Resident Award for Excellence in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) – Presented by Bala Bhagavath, MD
Awarded to a PGY3 resident who demonstrates commitment and excellence caring for women in the field of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and shows a special interest, dedication, and commitment to learning in the field of human reproduction.

American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) Award – Presented by Camille Ladanyi, MD
Awarded to a PGY3 resident for excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery.

Best Consulting Resident Physician Award – Presented by Cassie Liss, CNM
Awarded by the Certified Nurse Midwives to a PGY 2, 3 or 4 who exemplifies significant consulting physician skills.

The Ryan Program Resident Award for Excellence in Family Planning – Presented by Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH

Awarded to the resident who best exemplifies the dedication to service, training, and education in contraception and abortion that characterizes the Ryan Program.

The Douglas W. Laube, MD Best Graduate Trainee Paper Award 
For the best peer reviewed paper by a graduate student dissertator or Ob-Gyn second or third year medical fellow.
The Roland K. Meyer, PhD Graduate Trainee Award
Awarded to the graduate dissertator or Ob-Gyn medical fellow showing the most scientific productivity and scholarly activity.
Chester B. Martin, MD Graduate Training Program Mentorship Award
Awarded to faculty or staff that has had the most impact on graduate student degree related training.

The Phillip R. Hamilton III, MD Award - Presented by Caroline Cox, MD
Awarded to the PGY4 resident for the best effort in resident research in Ob-Gyn.

Ob-Gyn Staff Rising Star Award
In recognition of a staff member who has been with the department three years or less who is emerging as a leader and whose record reflects ongoing and exceptional growth in contribution to the department mission.
Jennifer Stevens Award in Ob-Gyn Staff Leadership
In recognition of a staff member who exemplifies significant formal or informal leadership skills.
Ob-Gyn Staff Excellence Awards
In recognition of two outstanding staff who routinely and regularly exemplify the mission of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology through excellent performance and customer service.
APP/CNM Excellence Award 
This award recognizes an outstanding PA, NP or CNM who routinely and regularly exemplifies the mission of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
APP/CNM Unsung Hero Award 
This award recognizes an outstanding PA, NP or CNM whose contributions often go unrecognized within the organization. Their remarkable acts of compassion, perseverance and selflessness have a significant impact on patients, team members and others with whom they work.
The John M. Anderson, MD Memorial Award
Awarded to a faculty member who routinely and regularly demonstrates the traits of Dr. Anderson: patience, integrity, and compassion in the care of women.
The Kimberley J. Miller-Thoresen Compassionate Colleague Award
Awarded to an attending physician who exhibits the traits of Dr. Miller-Thoresen by showing respect, compassion, dedication, and unending support towards colleagues and trainees.
The Dolores A. Buchler Award
Awarded to a faculty member who routinely and regularly demonstrates excellence in instruction at the senior resident level.
The Karl A. Rudat Award
Awarded to a faculty member who routinely and regularly demonstrates excellence in surgical teaching at the senior resident level.
The Laurel W. Rice Award
Awarded to the fellow in either Gynecologic Oncology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, or Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery for excellence in resident education.
St. Mary’s Adjunct Faculty Educator Award
Awarded to a St. Mary's adjunct faculty member who routinely and regularly demonstrates excellence in resident education.
Meriter Adjunct Faculty Educator Award
Awarded to a Meriter adjunct faculty member who routinely and regularly demonstrates excellence in resident education.
The Sabine Droste Award
Awarded to a faculty member who routinely and regularly demonstrates excellence in instruction at the junior resident level.
The Ellen Hartenbach Award
Awarded to a faculty member who routinely and regularly demonstrates creativity and innovation in simulation education.
The Luis “Ben” Curet Award in Ob-Gyn Educational Excellence 
Selected by colleagues and recognizes one who exhibits compassion, patience, and respect for all learners and goes above and beyond expectations to create a positive educational experience within the discipline of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology (SASGOG) Award 
National faculty award for excellence in clinical care of women, mentorship and career development of academic specialists, and research/scholarship in general obstetrics and gynecology.
Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Excellence in Teaching Award
Awarded to a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching, with an emphasis on undergraduate medical education.
Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) Faculty Award
National faculty award for excellence in resident education. 
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Length of Service in UW OB-GYN (total years at UW in parenthesis)

Five Years

  • Bala Bhagavath, Reproductive Endocrinologist (5)
  • Deborah Chasman, Scientist II (15)
  • Chelsea Gatica, Medical Program Assistant (5)
  • Tiffany Green, Associate Professor (5)
  • Bridget Kelly, Assistant Professor (CHS) (5)
  • Bailey Schuldt, Medical Program Assistant (5)
  • Amanda Wildenberg, Health Professions Education Coordinator (5)

10 Years

  • Aleksandar Stanic-Kostic, Associate Professor (10)
  • Robin Wasielewski, Senior Clinical Research Coordinator II (10)
  • Amy Williamson, CORE Associate Director (20)

15 Years

  • Jay Lick, Clinical Professor (15)

30 Years

  • Ian Bird, Professor (30)


Length of Service at UW Health (for employees at UW Health only)

Five Years

  • Emelle Holmes-Drammeh, Physician Assistant
  • Joanne Martin-Koob, Physician Assistant

10 Years

  • Kristina Krueger, Nurse Practitioner

15 Years

  • Denise Fryzelka, Certified Nurse Midwife

Special Acknowledgments

  • Ellen Hartenbach, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Chair
  • David Kushner, MD, Vice Chair of Faculty Development, Education, and Wellness
  • Autumn Hayes, Event Coordinator

Medical Student Program:

  • Laura Jacques, MD, Director of Medical Student Education
  • Amanda Wildenberg, Medical Student Education Coordinator

Residency Program:

  • Bridget Kelly, MD, Residency Program Director
  • Caroline Cox, MD, and Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH, Associate Residency Program Directors
  • Ariel Sorenson, Graduate Medical Education Program Manager

Research:

  • Kara Hoppe, DO, PhD, Vice Chair of Research (Clinical)
  • Manish Patankar, PhD, Vice Chair of Research (Basic and Translational)
  • Caroline Cox, MD, and Amy Godecker, PhD, Resident Scholars Program Directors
  • Resident Scholars Program Team: Sharon Blohowiak, Todd Forsythe, Gwen Niksic, and Ariel Sorenson

Fellowship Directors:

  • Bala Bhagavath, MD, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship Director
  • Christine Heisler, MD, MS, Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Fellowship Director
  • Janine Rhoades, MD, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Director
  • Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Director

Thank you to all the department members who participated in the process of nominating and evaluating nominees.

June 12, 2025

7:20-9:00am

Health Sciences Learning Center Room 1335