The Foundation’s Fellowship Program gives medical students the opportunity to build meaningful and lasting relationships with physician mentors, develop their leadership and research skills and present and/or publish their findings. Your financial support is needed to continue the impressive body of work resulting from this program.
Since completing her Foundation-funded fellowship last year on teleophthalmology with mentor Judy Kim, MD, Nathalie Abenoza, a Medical College of Wisconsin student, has presented her research at eight conferences. “I truly am so grateful for the opportunities this fellowship and program donors gave me. It has allowed me to make lasting connections,” said Abenoza.
Ben Kannenberg, a student at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, worked with Barbara Horner-Ibler, MD, at the Bread of Healing Clinic in Milwaukee. Kannenberg reported that his fellowship was an immensely worthwhile experience because he had the opportunity to be on the ground working with an incredible community organization that has a tangible impact on its patients. He also appreciated the opportunity to develop his analytical and advocacy skills.
A generous donation from Winnebago County Medical Society made Kannenberg’s fellowship experience possible. Supporting a Foundation Fellowship is a wonderful way for county medical societies to invest in future physician leaders who are passionate about serving their community.
Richard Dart, MD, and his wife Wendy have set up a recurring gift to support a fellowship each year. Their 2019 fellow, Medical College of Wisconsin student Darren Li, is working on a project with Amy Zosel, MD, on emergency provider practices and attitudes around Naloxone prescribing. They have already identified specific barriers to prescribing Naloxone, which is an effective agent in reversing overdose. Their goal is to provide future directions and potential interventions to address those barriers.
The research generated by Foundation Fellowships often lead to lasting changes in standards of care or practice, prescribing habits and awareness of critical health issues or overlooked populations. This work relies on individual donations from physicians who value continued research and learning experiences and understand that these experiences can impact a student’s career path.
Right now, students are beginning to look at and apply for Foundation fellowship opportunities for next spring. The number of fellowship positions we can award is dependent on the donations we receive in support of the Fellowship program before year’s end. Please add your support by donating online and select “Summer Fellowships” in the optional “requested use of gift” drop-down box. Click here for a list of recent fellowship supporters who you will join through your gift.
To help bring interested students and physician mentors together, the Foundation maintains a database of physician-led research projects with the potential for medical student involvement. It also includes physicians who are willing to help a student craft a project related to a specific health topic and serve as their mentor for the approximate eight-week duration of their fellowship. Physicians who wish to be added to the database can complete this form. If you have questions, email Elizabeth Ringle or call her at 608.442.3789. More information about the Foundation’s Fellowship Program may be found on our website.