The UW Ob-Gyn resident class of 2021 will graduate on June 24, 2021. Please join us in congratulating them on four exceptional years of training, and wishing them all the best as they depart for the next stages of their careers!​

EMILY BUTTIGIEG, MD

Where will you be going and what will you be doing after UW Ob-Gyn?

I am staying on as faculty with UW for a year while my fiancé finishes graduate school.

What are the most important things you learned during your residency?

The most important thing I learned in residency is the importance of loading the boat, as Dr. Rice would say. By this, I now recognize the importance of reaching out to colleagues, both in my field and often in other fields, in order to provide the best patient care. I am comfortable telling patients what I know but also admitting my limits and consulting with other professionals as needed.

How do you feel UW Ob-Gyn prepared you for success after residency?

I feel fortunate to have received such a diverse, comprehensive training here at UW. From complicated OB patients to complex gynecologic surgical cases, I have had such outstanding learning experiences. While I will always have more to learn, I feel ready to start the next phase of my career.

What will you miss most about UW Ob-Gyn and/or Madison?

I will miss the good times had with both co-residents and staff enjoying the Wisconsin summers, especially times on the terrace and on the lakes.

Any special shout-outs or thanks to faculty, staff, other residents who really shaped your time here?

I am so grateful to all of the patients, MAs, nurses, APPs, residents and physicians who have patiently taught me throughout these four years. I would especially like to thank a few of my mentors, Dr. Brown for supporting me in my research, Dr. Jacques and Dr. Stewart for supporting my passion for teaching and Dr. Williams for introducing me to a career in academics. Thanks as well to Dr. Rice for providing such an outstanding example of advocating for women's health. 

ERICA CARBALLO, MD

Where will you be going and what will you be doing after UW Ob-Gyn?

Emory University Advanced Pelvic Surgery Fellowship 

What are the most important things you learned during your residency?

First and foremost, I learned how to operate and practice good medicine.  I also learned we can't make it all on our own. I hear it "takes a village."

How do you feel UW Ob-Gyn prepared you for success after residency?

My training has allowed me to develop the skills I need to be an excellent physician. 

What will you miss most about UW Ob-Gyn and/or Madison?

I will miss my coresidents most—both my class and the amazing juniors that I've gotten to work with these past few years. Having a pitcher at the Terrace and watching the sunset is high on that list too. 

Any special shout-outs or thanks to faculty, staff, other residents who really shaped your time here?

I am appreciative for the excellent training I have received from our many faculty members, with special thanks to Drs. Jenny Karnowski, Ahmed Al Niaimi, Luther Gaston, Lisa Barroilhet, Jay Lick and Dr. Laurel Rice for their support and guidance. 

DANDI HUANG, MD

Where will you be going and what will you be doing after UW Ob-Gyn?

I will be heading back west to Los Angeles for gynecologic oncology fellowship at Cedars Sinai!

What are the most important things you learned during your residency?

Medical training is hard and the environment and the people you surround yourself with makes all the difference. Don't be afraid to listen to your gut when deciding what is the best fit for you even if it's different from what you had initially imagined. I had never lived in the Midwest and was a little worried making my rank list as a MS4 but I am SO glad I chose UW as I could not have asked for a better group of people to learn from and grow with! 

How do you feel UW Ob-Gyn prepared you for success after residency?

This program is so well-rounded, and the surgical training is phenomenal. We truly get experience in all surgical modalities from straight stick laparoscopy, single port laparoscopy, robotic surgeries, open surgeries and vaginal surgeries. This is all enhanced by the amazing supportive learning environment created by all the co-residents, fellows, APPs, nurses and attendings. 

What will you miss most about UW Ob-Gyn and/or Madison?

Definitely the people. Everyone is so warm, welcoming, supportive and approachable here and I will miss seeing everyone's smiling faces every day! Madison is also a great place to live – the lakes are beautiful, there are so many different food options and so many neighborhood events that happen in the summer (outside of COVID) which I am hoping will return soon!

Any special shout-outs or thanks to faculty, staff, other residents who really shaped your time here?

I could not have made it through the last four years without my class and am so thankful to have matched to UW OB/GYN with these six amazing, life-long friends and colleagues – I will miss you guy so much and I know your future patients are so lucky to have you! (I am also sorry for taking so many breech vaginal deliveries haha) To the gyn onc division – thank you for your endless support and getting me to where I am today. One of my draws to UW was the robust gyn onc department, and I am so excited to be entering the field. Special thanks to Dr. Al-Niaimi for mentoring me the last four years! To Drs. Hartenbach, McDonald, Rice, Spencer, Kelly and Peebles – thanks for all your work with the residency the last four years as PDs and APDs. It truly would not be the same without you. And last but not least, Jody – thank you for everything you do to keep the residency run smoothly through all the changes and helping us stay on track. We're so lucky to have you! 

RAMSEY LARSON, MD

Where will you be going and what will you be doing after UW Ob-Gyn? 

I am moving to Spokane, WA and joining a generalist practice there. I grew up in Spokane and am excited to move back!

What are the most important things you learned during your residency? 

Residency taught me so many things. To be confident yet humble, to be genuine, to not be afraid to ask questions or ask for help.

How do you feel UW Ob-Gyn prepared you for success after residency? 

While leaving residency is terrifying, I know this program prepares us so well. This program provides such a strong foundation on which to build a career and provides so many mentors whom I will be able to easily ask questions of in the future. I am so grateful and lucky to know I have that support leaving residency.

What will you miss most about UW Ob-Gyn and/or Madison? 

I will miss going to work every day and seeing the people I've met along the way. I'll miss the lakes and biking in Madison (but I sure won't miss the humidity)! Madison is such an easy, friendly place to live, and it will forever have a special place in my heart.

Any special shout-outs or thanks to faculty, staff, other residents who really shaped your time here? 

So many people. To Dr. Spencer for being such a supportive, fun, down-to-earth Program Director and for putting up with so many calls from me and Stephanie. To Dr. Karnowski for being such a great surgical teacher. To Dr. Lepic for knowing every detail about OB/GYN and keeping me smart and informed. To Dr. Al-Niaimi for his energy in the operating room and his willingness to go out of his way to teach. And to Stephanie, for being the best co-chief I could ever imagine and for being such a rock. 

LAURA MCDOWELL, MD

Where will you be going and what will you be doing after UW Ob-Gyn?

I will be moving to Willmar, MN to practice General Obstetrics and Gynecology in southwestern Minnesota.

What are the most important things you learned during your residency?

There are so many important things that I learned during residency it's difficult to name just a few. I think one of the most important things that will help me carry on, especially in difficult times, is knowing that when one is operating there are bound to be complications that arise eventually. Understanding this and striving to become a better physician and surgeon are the things that can aid in recovery and moving forward. Also, being able and willing to talk with colleagues can be very helpful in these difficult times.

How do you feel UW Ob-Gyn prepared you for success after residency?

I feel as though the UW Ob/Gyn residency has prepared me very well to go out into the workforce to practice as a generalist in Ob/Gyn. The residency has a robust volume of patients with varied diagnoses as well as a good mix of autonomy and didactic learning. I am confident that following graduation, I will feel well prepared to practice as an Ob/Gyn.

What will you miss most about UW Ob-Gyn and/or Madison?

I will miss all of my co-residents and the outstanding faculty members that have made my time in residency very special.

Any special shout-outs or thanks to faculty, staff, other residents who really shaped your time here?

I would like to give a special shout-out to Dr. Jacques for her outstanding mentorship throughout these last four years of residency. She has been great at pushing me to read the literature, critically assess what I am seeing and reading, and apply it to patient care. Outside of the clinical setting, she has been incredibly helpful in guiding me in finding a job post-residency and how to navigate that unknown territory. 

MELISSA MEYER, MD

Where will you be going and what will you be doing after UW Ob-Gyn?

Generalist OB-GYN at St. Mary's IHA in Livonia, MI

What are the most important things you learned during your residency?

I learned how to care for a variety of patients both in the office and in the hospital. I gained valuable surgical experience, and appreciate all the teaching and guidance along the way.

How do you feel UW Ob-Gyn prepared you for success after residency?

With great mentoring and graduated responsibility, I feel that UW OBGYN has given me excellent training! 

What will you miss most about UW Ob-Gyn and/or Madison?

The people and the beautiful city of Madison! 

STEPHANIE PEACE, MD

Where will you be going and what will you be doing after UW OB/GYN?

I will be working as a generalist OB/GYN at a federally qualified health center called La Clinica de Familia in Las Cruces, New Mexico. 

What are the most important things you learned during your residency?

Empathy, commitment, and lifelong learning.

How do you feel UW OB/GYN prepared you for success after residency?

I can't say enough about how well UW OB/GYN prepared me! I think our surgical training is above and beyond and I am so grateful for the autonomy that our attendings give us to make clinical and surgical decisions. The global health program was also especially important to me and I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate during my four years here. 

What will you miss most about UW OB/GYN and/or Madison?

The people! Everyone in this department has been fantastic and so crucial in the formative experience that is residency. And of course, I have the best co-residents who I will definitely miss!

Any special shout-outs or thanks to faculty, staff, other residents who really shaped your time here?

Too many to count! Huge thanks to Dr. Spencer, Dr. Kelly, and Dr. Peebles as our residency leadership – they have been so incredibly supportive, especially during this last weird year. Thanks to Dr. Wautlet and Dr. Karnowski for their incredible support as the global health faculty, especially during my rotation in Uganda. And huge thanks to Dr. Jennings, Dr. Landry, Dr. Stewart, Dr. Gaston, Dr. Adams, and Dr. Heisler for their support of my various research activities during residency. I learned so much from all of them!