Established in 2022, The Allen Inspiring Children Lecture was created to honor Dr. David Allen’s enduring legacy of mentorship, humanism, and deep respect for the lessons children teach us. Envisioned as more than a traditional lecture, it serves as an annual moment of reflection for the department — an opportunity to pause and consider the profound ways young patients shape the lives, careers, and character of pediatricians and clinician-scientists.
Dr. Allen has long described this gathering as a time to reflect on the experiences with children and families that influence career choices, guide research paths, and invite greater intentionality, humility, and compassion in practice. These themes are especially meaningful as the event also serves to formally host and welcome our new interns, fellows, and trainees into the department, grounding the start of their training in reflection, purpose, and community.
One of Dr. Allen’s most enduring encouragements has been to continue learning and growing from patients. “As pediatricians, we honor children when we remember, acknowledge, and keep close to our hearts the important effect they’ve had in our lives as professionals and persons,” he shared. In this spirit, The Allen Inspiring Children Lecture features an experienced pediatrician who offers a motivational and mentoring reflection on how pediatric patients have inspired, challenged, and ultimately shaped their professional and personal journey.
The Allen Inspiring Children Lecture
Thursday, July 9, 2026, 7:30-8:30 a.m.
HSLC 1135 and Zoom
Speaker: Anne Marsh, MD – associate professor, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Transplant and Cellular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Title: Forthcoming
Session Overview: Forthcoming
Past Lecturers
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2025
Speaker: Sharon Bartosh, MD
Title: What Inspires Me? Reflection from a Pediatric Nephrologist’s Journey
2024
Speaker: Jonathan E Fliegel, MD FAAP
Title: Leave Things a Bit Better than How You Found Them
2023
Speaker: Sheryl Henderson, MD, PhD
Title: Be Present, Listen, Discover, Play: Pearls Collected Along My Journey as a Pediatrician
2022
Speaker: David Allen, MD
Title: Ode to Six Children Who Shaped a Career
Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, the University of Wisconsin – Madison ICEP is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Credit Designation Statements
American Medical Association (AMA)
The University of Wisconsin-Madison ICEP designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 ANCC contact hour(s).
Continuing Education Units
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for 0.1 CEUs or 1.0 hour(s).
The University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics is committed to creating inclusive and accessible events. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Reva Finkelman at rfinkelman@wisc.edu. All requests must be made at least one month prior to the event. We will attempt to implement late requests but cannot guarantee they will be met.