National Doctors’ Day, observed annually on March 30, is a day set aside to recognize the dedication and compassion of more than 1 million physicians who provide health care to patients nationwide. UW Health celebrates this day by collecting messages of gratitude from patients, families, and coworkers to share with its exceptional physicians. This year, Department of Pediatrics members received 86 appreciation messages from patients and colleagues. We are delighted to share a selection of some of the messages here.
Visit the online Kudoboard to read general notes of appreciation to all UW Health doctors.
For Arij Beshish, MBBCh, PhD, assistant professor, Division of Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine: Thank you for being such a great doctor to our child! We were so fortunate that you were the provider who helped us through one of the scariest times when he was in the hospital, and for the great care you have given him since! I appreciate all the times you listened to my concerns. Thank you!
For Mary Ehlenbach, MD, associate professor, Division of Hospital Medicine and Complex Care: Sending a quick note of thanks for ALL that you do for children with complex medical needs and their families across Wisconsin and the U.S. Your dedication to serving your patients is nearly unmatched by any other physician I have known. From identifying the exact cause of why a medically complex, non-verbal child is so obviously unwell, to developing and leading our interdisciplinary team keeping us focused every day on how we can provide the best care possible to our patients, to even helping the judicial systems in other states understand fundamental rights of children with disabilities, you really do it all! We are very lucky to have you leading our team and are eternally grateful for the expertise, time, patience, understanding, and support you offer our clinic every day! Thank you SO MUCH for all that you do!
For Rachel Engen, MD, assistant professor, Division of Nephrology: You are an amazing pediatric nephrologist! We are so fortunate to have you leading transplant. You make such a difference in so many patients’ and families’ lives.
For Matthew Harer, MD, associate professor, Division of Neonatology and Newborn Nursery: Thank you so much for all you do for patients and families in the NICU! You take the necessary time with families to make sure they are comfortable, knowledgeable, and involved in the plan of care. You show your dedication to collaboration with nursing staff as well, during rounds and with frequent communication. We are so lucky to have you in the NICU! Happy Doctors’ Day!
For Christopher Healy, MD, professor, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology: Thank you for being such an awesome doctor to work with over the years. I appreciate your positive outlook on things and your hard work ethic. Your patients and support staff appreciate you!
For Margo Hoover-Regan, MD, professor, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Transplant, and Cellular Therapy: Happy National Doctors’ Day! Your dedication to your patients and families is inspiring. Your breadth of knowledge and expansive expertise have improved the fields of Pediatric Oncology and Pediatric Palliative Care, and our organization is lucky to have you. It is an honor to learn from and work with you!
For Taylor House, MD, assistant professor, Division of Nephrology: You are an amazing pediatric nephrologist, and I absolutely love the palliative care expertise you bring to our patients and division. You make a huge difference in so many patients’ and families’ lives!
For Camilla Matthews, MD, associate professor, Division of Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine: Thank you for being an amazing colleague. You are a great educator, mentor, and provider. You are ALWAYS supportive of the APPs in our group — answering questions on patient management, providing education to support professional growth, and troubleshooting issues. We are so lucky to have you lead the pediatric sleep program.
For Elizabeth McBride, MD, assistant professor, Division of Neonatology and Newborn Nursery: Thank you so much for all you do for patients and families in the NICU! You check in on your patients and their families multiple times during the day, you take time during rounds to make sure families are involved and understand, and you involve nursing consistently in the plan of care. I have seen your dedication with families of patients for whom you are the primary neonatologist, and I know they vastly benefit from and appreciate your support and expertise. We are so lucky to have you in the NICU!
For Thomas Ratchford, MD, assistant professor, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition: Thank you so much for the excellent care you provide to your patients. You have developed an expertise in aerodigestive and feeding disorders that adds incredible value to our division while also maintaining a full and diverse general GI practice. Thank you!
For Jennifer Rehm, MD, associate professor, Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes: I appreciate all you do to care for patients who need a little extra care and support! You are really amazing!
For Danielle Rodgers, MD, assistant professor, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine: Thank you for the thoughtful, compassionate, and thorough care that you have provided to our son during his first year of life. We are so grateful for the work you do every day and all the hard work it took to get there. The kiddos in our Madison community are lucky to have you! Happy Doctors’ Day!
For Becky Richards, MD, PhD, assistant professor, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Transplant, and Cellular Therapy, and Tess Woodring, MD, PGY 5 Fellow, Division of Hematology, Oncology, Transplant, and Cellular Therapy: Our family is so grateful for your expert care of our child over the past year. When we first met the two of you in the PICU we could barely take in her diagnosis. You took so much time and care to help us in those early days, and that support has continued throughout our child’s treatment. Thank you for all of the work you’ve done to train and practice, for early mornings, late nights, and missed time with your own families. Without your dedication, our sweet child would not be alive and well. Not only are you both amazing clinicians, you are both amazing humans! We feel like we won the physician lottery. Cheers to you!
For Anne Marie Singh, MD, professor, interim chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology: Happy Doctors’ Day! Thank you for everything you do for our Allergy Team as our interim pediatrics division chief. You have been responsive and thoughtful, and most importantly patient-centered, in our work to make our allergy clinics the best that they can be! I appreciate you.
For Dorota Walkiewicz-Jedrzejczak, MD, associate professor, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition: Thank you for all you do for your patients. We are so lucky to have you continue your work seeing regional patients and providing a much-needed service to our state. Your care and compassion do not go unnoticed by the team or our patients. Thank you!