Passing of Dolores (Dee) Buchler, MD

Dolores (Dee) Buchler, MD, longtime faculty member in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Division of Gynecologic Oncology, died on June 15, 2025. 

Dr. Buchler grew up in Casper, Wyoming. She graduated from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, followed by obstetrics and gynecology residency and fellowship in general surgery and radiation oncology. Dr. Buchler joined the Department of Ob-Gyn faculty in 1969, where she was a sought-after physician, leading-edge researcher, and valued teacher until her retirement in 1995 from both the Department of Ob-Gyn and the Department of Human Oncology. 

She was double-board certified in ob-gyn and radiation oncology, and her gyn onc patients greatly benefited from her expertise. Dr. Buchler was dedicated to improving gynecologic cancer care, pushing the field forward throughout her career. She revolutionized radiation treatments for cervical cancer. Her research on high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy, later called the “Madison system”, made it possible for cervical cancer patients to receive their treatment in outpatient settings, rather than requiring admission into the hospital. 

Dr. Buchler was a fierce advocate for her patients and a frank, honest teacher and mentor. After retirement, Dr. Buchler endowed the Dolores A. Buchler, MD Professor of Gynecologic Oncology to support a young surgeon with a passion for research and educating a new generation of doctors. Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, is the first professor to hold that chair. She shared a reflection of Dr. Buchler: 

“I am fortunate to have an Endowed Professorship that was supported by such a "giant" in our field.

I was lucky enough to get to know Dee over the last 8 years, since she began supporting my research. We would meet for lunch at Monty's Blue Plate Diner and share many, many laughs about training as gyn oncs and defying expectations of those around us. She was a true pioneer and although she was always humble, she was aware of her impact and the number of trainees she had influenced. 

Dee believed in my research more than I did. She KNEW I would get independent funding and was unbelievably encouraging, even during rough patches. She gave me great mentoring advice and helped me right-size my laboratory. Even though she had not been practicing for some time when we met, her guidance was timeless. I will genuinely miss spending time with her.

Thank you, Dee, for all you have done for me, the department, and women's cancer care. Your legacy will live on in the many advances for which you were responsible.” 

All are invited to a memorial service for Dr. Buchler on Thursday, June 26, 11am at Oakwood Village-Prairie Ridge, Tree of Life Chapel, 5565 Tancho Drive, Madison. You can read more about Dr. Buchler’s life and legacy here. 

You can support the Dolores A. Buchler, MD Professor of Gynecologic Oncology fund at the University of Wisconsin Foundation in Dr. Buchler’s honor.