On June 15, 2023, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn held its annual awards ceremony, recognizing educational, research and administrative accomplishments throughout the year.

The ceremony started by celebrating service milestones:

Five Years:

• Carol Hulland - Administrative Manager
• Irene Ong, PhD - Assistant Professor
• Jennifer Karnowski, MD - Clinical Assistant Professor
• Laura Cooney, MD - Assistant Professor (CHS)
• Megan Knutson Sinaise - Research Program Coordinator
• Rob Garza - Multimedia Designer
• Sumer Wallace, MD, MS - Associate Professor (CHS)

10 Years:

Kristen Sharp, MD - Associate Clinical Professor

20 Years:

Fuxian Yi - Senior Scientist

MEDICAL STUDENT AWARDS

DR. SAMUEL G. PERLSON SCHOLARSHIP – Alma Farooque, MD (UW Dept of Ob-Gyn), Megan Murphy-Belcaster, MD (Northwestern Unviersity)

This award goes out to one or more fourth year medical students planning to pursue a career in Ob-Gyn who have demonstrated outstanding abilities as a scholar and outstanding humanistic qualities.

T.A. LEONARD AWARD – Evan Polce, Sarah Thornton

The T.A. Leonard Award is given to one or more medical students in recognition of exemplary performance on their third year Ob/Gyn rotation. 

MEDICAL STUDENT EDUCATOR AWARD FOR RESIDENT TEACHING – John Gravelle, MD

This award is given to a UW-Madison, Obstetrics and Gynecology resident, selected by 3rd and 4th year medical students, who exhibits a high interest in teaching, actively involves students in patient care, teaches at an appropriate level, is respectful, approachable, honest, and is a great role model. 

RESIDENCY AWARDS

CHIEF RESIDENT RECOGNITION – Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD (Administrative Chief Resident), Connor Wang, MD (Administrative Chief Resident), Maya Gross, MD, MPH (Education Chief Resident)

For service as the administrative chief resident, academic year 2022-23.

UW HEALTH INTERDISCIPLINARY GLOBAL HEALTH TRACK RECOGNITION – Talya Spivak, MD

Given to a graduating resident upon the completion of the Global Health Track.

UW HEALTH RURAL TRAINING TRACK RECOGNITION – Madeline Wetterhahn, MD

Given to a graduating resident upon the completion of the Rural Training Track. 

RESIDENT CREOG AWARD – Kathryn Dryer, MD

Awarded for the highest exam score on the annual CREOG In-Training Examination

BEN M. PECKHAM AWARD – Maya Gross, MD, MPH

Awarded to a senior resident for excellence in the teaching and clinical practice of Ob-Gyn, as voted by the residents.

NUMAN AL-NIAIMI RESIDENT AWARD IN SURGICAL EXCELLENCE – Connor Wang, MD

Awarded to an Ob-Gyn PGY-3 or PGY-4 for the most outstanding surgical article.

SOCIETY OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY (SGO) AWARD – India Anderson-Carter, MD

Awarded to a PGY-3 who best exemplifies the qualities of the mission and vision of SGO.

SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC SPECIALISTS IN GENERAL OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY (SASGOG) AWARD – Talya Spivak, MD

Awarded to a PGY-4 who has distinguished themselves academically and demonstrates an interest in a career as an Academic Specialist.

AMERICAN UROGYNECOLOGIC SOCIETY (AUGS) AWARD – Gabrielle Avery, MD

Awarded to a PGY-3 resident demonstrating excellence in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, as chosen by the FPMRS faculty.

SOCIETY FOR MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE (SMFM) AWARD – Margaret Williams, MD

Awarded to the PGY-2 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) – Margaret Harrison, MD

Awarded to a PGY-3 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 – Alexandra Andes, MD

Given to a PGY-3 resident with special excellence in endoscopic procedures.

SOCIETY OF LAPAROENDOSCOPIC SURGEONS (SLS) AWARD – India Anderson-Carter, MD

Awarded to a PGY-3, outstanding laparoendoscopic resident.

BEST CONSULTING RESIDENT PHYSICIAN AWARD – Madeline Wetterhahn, MD

Awarded to a PGY 2, 3 or 4 who exemplifies significant consulting physician skills.

RESEARCH AWARDS

DOUGLAS W. LAUBE BEST TRAINEE PAPER AWARD – Aishwarya Rengarajan, PhD

For the best peer reviewed paper by a graduate student dissertator or medical fellow. 

ROLAND K. MEYER, PhD GRADUATE TRAINEE AWARD – Molly Willging, PhD (mentor: David Abbott, PhD)

Awarded to the graduate student dissertator showing the most scientific productivity and scholarly activity.

PHILLIP R. HAMILTON III, MD RESIDENT RESEARCH AWARD – Talya Spivak, MD

Awarded to the senior residents demonstrating the best effort in research.                

DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AWARDS

OBGYN SUPPORT STAFF RISING STAR AWARD – Elizabeth Albert, MA

In recognition of a staff member who has been with the department 3 years or less who is emerging as a leader and whose record reflects ongoing and exceptional growth in contribution to the department mission.

OBGYN SUPPORT STAFF PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD – Rob Garza

In recognition of a commitment to lifelong learning and contributions to department success through continuing education.

JENNIFER STEVENS AWARD IN SUPPORT STAFF LEADERSHIP AWARD – Carol Hulland

In recognition of staff who display exemplary leadership skills, positive influence on colleagues, and an ability to affect change in support of the department’s mission and vision.

OBGYN SUPPORT STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARD – Bailey Schuldt

In recognition of outstanding staff who routinely and regularly exemplify the mission of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology through excellent performance and customer service.

ADVANCED PRACTICE PROVIDER AWARD

APP/CNM EXCELLENCE AWARD – Angela Sergeant, RN, ANP-BC

This award recognizes outstanding PA, NP, or CNM who routinely and regularly exemplifies the mission of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

RESIDENT FACULTY RECOGNITION AWARDS

JOHN M. ANDERSON, MD MEMORIAL AWARD – Kristen Sharp, MD

For demonstrating the traits of Dr. Anderson: patience, integrity and compassion in the care of women.

KIMBERLEY J. MILLER-THORESON COMPASSIONATE COLLEAGUE AWARD – Ryan Luellwitz, DO

For demonstrating the traits of Dr. Miller-Thoreson showing respect, compassion, dedication and unending support towards their colleagues and trainees.

DOLORES A. BUCHLER AWARD – Molly Lepic, DO

For excellence in instruction at the senior resident level.

KARL A. RUDAT AWARD – Ashley Jennings, MD

For excellence in surgical teaching at the senior resident level.

FACULTY & FELLOW RECOGNITION AWARDS

RAJA AL-NIAIMI FELLOW AWARD IN SURGICAL EXCELLENCE – Matt Wagar, MD

Awarded to the Ob-Gyn clinical fellow for the most outstanding surgical article.

LAUREL W. RICE OUTSTANDING FELLOW EDUCATOR AWARD – Bradley Bosse, MD

Given to one fellow for excellence in resident education.

ST. MARY’S ADJUNCT FACULTY EDUCATOR AWARD – Daniel Pellicer, MD (SSM Health)

Selected by the residents for excellence in resident education.

MERITER ADJUNCT FACULTY EDUCATOR AWARD – Sarah Juza, MD (Madison Women’s Health)

Selected by the residents for excellence in resident education.

SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC SPECIALISTS IN GENERAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY (SASGOG) AWARD – Abigail Cutler, MD

National faculty award for dedication and commitment to the ideals of being an academic generalist.

SABINE DROSTE AWARD – Cholene Espinoza, MD

The Sabine Droste Award is selected by the junior residents for a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in instruction at the junior resident level.

ELLEN HARTENBACH AWARD – Sumer Wallace, MD, MS

Selected by the residents and given annually to the faculty member who has made the greatest contribution in simulation education.

CREOG FACULTY AWARD – Ashley Jennings, MD

National faculty award for excellence in resident education.

LUIS “BEN” CURET AWARD IN OB-GYN EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE – Kathy Stewart, MD

This award honors one individual who demonstrates a true passion for education. This awardee is 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.