Amid the clank of glasses and the roar of conversation and congratulations, the Department of Pediatrics’ residency program leaders, residents, friends, and families gathered for the Residency Class of 2023 Graduation Celebration on June 9 at the Monona Terrace. View a list of graduating residents on the Pediatric Residency Graduation webpage.
The evening was packed with awards and speeches. Interim Chair Megan Moreno, MD, MSEd, MPH, kicked off the celebration by urging residents to take the night to think through the past, present, and future. “You are the next folks up to be advocating and caring for our patients. You are the next real hope we have for pediatrics going forward. For all of us it has been an honor to be a part of your journey,” Moreno said.
Nicole St. Clair, MD, associate professor in the Divisions of Hospital Medicine and Global Pediatrics and the 2022 Todd Varness Outstanding Clinical Teaching Awardee, gave the keynote address. She highlighted the accomplishments of the graduates and imparted a few words of wisdom as they move forward. “To the graduates, congratulations — we are so proud of you,” St. Clair said. “You are truly the residents of the pandemic, and I am in awe of your resilience, courage, and strength.”
Ten awards were presented during the event. Below is the full list of the awards and recipients.
| Award | Award Recipient |
| Charles C. Lobeck Medical Education Award for Outstanding Teaching in Pediatrics | Kathleen Maginot, MD |
| Todd Varness Outstanding Clinical Teaching Award | Laura Chen, MD |
| Ellen R. Wald Intellectual Curiosity in Medicine Award | Melissa Cercone, MD |
| Outstanding General Pediatrician Award | Troy Kleist, MD |
| Outstanding Achievement in Resident Research Award | Therese Woodring, MD |
| Outstanding Clerkship Teaching by a Pediatric Resident Award | Samantha Tyler, DO |
| Outstanding Fellow Award | Zachary Gray, MD |
| Outstanding Pediatric Intern Award | Carlee Blakemore, MD |
| Jan Brady Award for Outstanding Second Year Resident | Abbie Whitman, MD |
| Outstanding Senior Resident Award | Hannah Schumacher, MD |
The livestream of the celebration is available for viewing. Please join us in wishing our 2023 graduates the best of luck as they embark on the next part of their journey.
