Department celebrates resident class of 2026 with two graduation events

Group photo of the 2026 resident graduating class.
In the photo: The 2026 University of Wisconsin Pediatrics Residency Program graduating class.

The University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics celebrated its graduating residents in early June with two events for graduates, their friends and families, and faculty and staff. View a photo album of images from both events.

During the “Lovefest: Senior Resident Recognition and Residency Awards” event on June 4, residency program leaders highlighted the PGY-3s and shared inspirational and noteworthy stories about the graduates. The department also presented its annual Residency Program Excellence Awards to trainees and faculty. A total of 10 awards were presented in honor of the recipients’ achievements in education. These recognitions are based on votes from faculty, residents, and medical students.

Below is the full list of Residency Program Excellence Awards recipients.

Award Award Recipient
Outstanding Pediatric Intern Tess Jewell, MD, MPH
Jan Brady Award for Outstanding Second-Year Resident Paige Spata, MD
Outstanding Senior Resident Collin Ellenbecker, MD
Resident Research Award Rory Bade, MD
Outstanding Fellow Hayley Talboy, DO
Todd Varness Outstanding Clinical Teaching Award Neil Munjal, MD, MS
Outstanding General Pediatrician Britt Allen, MD
Ellen R. Wald Intellectual Curiosity in Medicine Award Patrick Peebles, MD
Outstanding Clerkship Teaching by a Pediatric Resident Jacob Elliott, MD
Charles C. Lobeck Medical Education Award for Outstanding Teaching in Pediatrics Casey Freymiller, MD

On June 6, graduates and their friends and families gathered for a ceremony at the Monona Terrace. Education leaders and mentors honored graduates with encouraging stories.

The keynote address was presented by last year’s Todd Varness Outstanding Clinical Teaching Award winner, Elizabeth McBride, MD, assistant professor, Division of Neonatology and Newborn Nursery. This award is presented to a teacher who most demonstrates humanism, teaching skills, and compassion. Watch a recording of the graduation livestream.

Below is a list of graduates and where they are heading next year.

Graduate Where They Are Heading
Rory Bade, MD Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship
University of Wisconsin
Ala Bdair, MD Pediatric Pulmonology Fellowship
University of Wisconsin
Brian Burbidge, DO Neonatology & Perinatal Medicine Fellowship
University of Wisconsin
Rachell Caniza, MD Pediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes Fellowship
University of Wisconsin
Collin Ellenbecker, MD General Pediatrician
Bellin Health-East De Pere Pediatrics
Jacob Elliott, MD Neonatology & Perinatal Medicine Fellowship
University of Wisconsin
Allison Emmet, MD Chief Resident
University of Wisconsin Pediatrics Residency Program
William Ford, MD Pediatric Critical Care Fellowship
University of Wisconsin
Emily Forster, MD Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship
University of Wisconsin
Jordan Haarsma, MD Hospitalist
University of Iowa
Jalal Khan, MBBS Chief Resident
University of Wisconsin Pediatrics Residency Program
Ryan Lindstrom, MD Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship
University of Wisconsin 
Carine Renner, MD Assistant Professor, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics
Michael Shen, MD Community Pediatrics Hospital Medicine
Indiana

 

Chief Resident Where They Are Heading
Mark Kiley, DO Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellowship
Advocate Children’s Hospital (Chicago)