Kathleen Kastner, MD, associate professor, Division of Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation Medicine, was selected for a 2024 University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) Dean’s Teaching Award. Established in 1992, the awards honor outstanding contributions to student education in medical school programs. They are the only peer-selected teaching award at SMPH.
Kastner serves as resident core rotation director for the developmental behavioral pediatrics rotation and is a CORE Mentor for the Pediatrics Residency Program. Her innovative work has greatly improved the education of trainees, strengthening physician knowledge, skills, and attitudes that support effective counseling about developmental differences. In addition, Kastner serves as assistant block leader for the SMPH Phase 1 Human Family Tree Block, and she is a training coordinator for the Wisconsin Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) program at UW–Madison. Kastner was among the department faculty members who were recognized by UW medical students and residents with a “Top Teacher Award” three years in a row (2019-2021). In 2021, she was the recipient of a UW Health Rising Star Clinical Educator Award.