Farewell, Residency Class of 2025!
This week, we say goodbye to the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Residency Class of 2025! Read more about where these brilliant physicians are headed after residency, what they’ll miss about Madison, and how their time here set them up for success in the future. Congratulations, Class of 2025!
John Gravelle, MD
Where will you be going and what will you be doing after residency?
I will be rejoining my partner and two children in Appleton after we have spent the last year apart. We will be taking a 3-week road trip to California this summer. Once the summer festivities are over, I will be joining Women's Health Specialists in the Appleton/Neenah area.
What was your proudest accomplishment during residency?
My proudest accomplishment during residency was facilitating the success of the medical students and junior residents with whom I worked. Seeing their joy of achievement and discovery sustained me through the hardest parts of residency.
How do you feel UW Ob-Gyn prepared you for success after residency?
This department prioritizes excellence in patient care. It also centers the residency program. The residents are empowered to own and carry out this excellence from day one, and it is this responsibility that prepares us to be effective clinical care leaders after graduation.
What will you miss most about UW Ob-Gyn, Madison, and/or your time in residency?
I will miss the community I was a part of during my residency. While I know the deep connections I forged will continue beyond residency, the entire community I will be leaving is worth mourning. It's everyone. Co-residents, attending physicians, nurses, scrub techs, environmental services staff, the cashier at the cafeteria. I will miss them all.
Any special shout-outs or thanks to faculty, staff, other residents who really shaped your time here?
A special shout out to Jenny Karnowski, who pushed me to achieve things beyond what I thought I was capable of. Shout out to Abby Cutler, whose paradigm of empathetic patient care I will model and try to emulate for the rest of my life. And shout out to Laura Hanks, who is illustrious and inimitable. Shout out to Bridget Kelly for her tireless support and consideration of me and my co-residents. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a caring program director.
Jackie Luthardt, MD
Where will you be going and what will you be doing after residency?
General ob-gyn practice in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Ankitha Madde, MD
Where will you be going and what will you be doing after residency?
General ob-gyn practice in Connecticut.
Ben Pickus, MD
Where will you be going and what will you be doing after residency?
I will be staying at Madison as a generalist with the University of Wisconsin.
What was your proudest accomplishment during residency?
The relationships I've made with my co residents.
How do you feel UW Ob-Gyn prepared you for success after residency?
I feel very lucky to have the training I've received.
What will you miss most about UW Ob-Gyn, Madison, and/or your time in residency?
My co residents and friends I have made among the way.
Any special shout-outs or thanks to faculty, staff, other residents who really shaped your time here?
Thanks to everyone who has helped me get to this point!
Carrie Sibbald, MD
Where will you be going and what will you be doing after residency?
I will be moving to Columbus, Ohio to start a fellowship in MFM at The Ohio State after I graduate.
What was your proudest accomplishment during residency?
My proudest moment in residency was matching to my #1 MFM fellowship!
How do you feel UW Ob-Gyn prepared you for success after residency?
UW Ob-Gyn does a fabulous job preparing residents for the intensity and complexity of practice after residency and I think is one of the best programs to prepare residents surgically.
What will you miss most about UW Ob-Gyn, Madison, and/or your time in residency?
I will miss all the people at UW the most after I leave! Special shout outs to my amazing mentors throughout the journey: Dr. Kelly and Dr. Spencer as amazing PDs, Dr. Rhoades as my MFM mentor, Dr. Adams as my research mentor, Dr. Karnowski as my surgical and global health mentor, and Dr. Gaston for his unwavering and unconditional support of us all.
Saule Tamkus, MD
Where will you be going and what will you be doing after residency?
I will be working as a Generalist at University of Wisconsin ASOG and then hopefully starting urogynecology fellowship as I am applying now.
What was your proudest accomplishment during residency?
Being able to walk one of our amazing interns through their first laparoscopic hysterectomy. It was a full circle moment that allowed me to reflect on how much I have learned in residency.
How do you feel UW Ob-Gyn prepared you for success after residency?
I am incredibly grateful for our robust surgical experience and feel confident to step up to independent practice.
What will you miss most about UW Ob-Gyn, Madison, and/or your time in residency?
I will miss the family feel of the residency, but am happy to have the opportunity to continue working with UW Ob-Gyn and residents as faculty.
Margaret Williams, MD
Where will you be going and what will you be doing after residency?
I will be headed to the University of Chicago for fellowship next year.
How do you feel UW Ob-Gyn prepared you for success after residency?
I am so grateful for my training at UW and feel incredibly well prepared for the next chapter of my career. Thank you to everyone for your mentorship, kindness, and friendship over the past 4 years.