Department of Pediatrics
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Faculty, Fellows & Staff

Faculty, fellows, mid-level providers, nurses and coordinators all work together as a team in the UW Division of Pediatric Endocrinology. The group has planned division meetings monthly, but team members also interact on a daily basis, providing patient care, brainstorming ideas for continual improvement, catching up-to-speed on the latest adventures in fellows’ research projects, and often simply saying hello over a cup of coffee. Fellows are surrounded by this supportive endocrine family for three years of training and beyond.

Our Program

Our People

Meet Our Family

Kimberly Vidmar, MD (1st year)

Kim grew up in southeastern Wisconsin. She received her bachelor’s degree at UW-Madison and her medical degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She completed her pediatric residency at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon where her interest in pediatric endocrinology flourished while studying type 1 diabetes and autoimmunity and spending time volunteering at diabetes camp. Kim chose to return to the University of Wisconsin for her pediatric endocrinology fellowship because of the strong mentorship, the supportive learning environment and the vast clinical exposure. During fellowship, Kim is involved in a collaborative learning community for school health personnel called Diabetes in School Health (DiSH). Outside of the hospital, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband and golden retriever Kona, camping, hiking and snowboarding.
Nicksic, VictoriaVictoria Nicksic, MD (2nd year)
Victoria is originally from southern Indiana. She received her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine and then completed her pediatric residency and pediatric chief residency at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Victoria decided to stay at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her pediatric endocrinology fellowship because of the comprehensive clinical opportunity and the supportive faculty. During residency, Victoria’s research interests included exploring a possible association between subclinical hypothyroidism and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants and improving EHR documentation for children with adrenal insufficiency. Outside of the hospital, Victoria enjoys spending time with her husband and son and hosting dinner parties.
Doha Hassan, MD (3rd year)
Doha grew up in Alexandria, Egypt. She received her medical degree from Alexandria University, Faculty of Medicine. She did her Pediatric Residency at the American University of Beirut Medical Center in Lebanon. She decided to fulfill her passion for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes that grew during her residency by joining the fellowship program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for its strong clinical teaching, supportive staff, and welcoming atmosphere. She is interested in Diabetes and general Pediatric Endocrinology, especially PCOS and obesity. Outside of fellowship, she likes to spend time with her husband and son.
David Allen, MDDavid Allen, MD
Dr. Allen received his MD degree from Duke University School of Medicine and completed pediatric residency and fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology at the University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital. He is ABP certified in both pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology, and has served as President of the Pediatric Endocrine Society 2010-11 and President of the 10th International Meeting of Pediatric Endocrinology. His special interests include childhood growth and development, prevention of Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome, newborn screening for endocrine disorders, ethical issues in pediatric endocrinology, and medical education. When not in-house, Dave can usually be found biking, running, or skiing through the Wisconsin countryside, playing jazz piano, or doting on his grandchildren. View Dr. Allen’s publications here.
Tracy Bekx, MDTracy Bekx, MD
Dr. Bekx received her medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and completed her pediatric residency at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She finished her training in pediatric endocrinology at the University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital in Madison. Dr. Bekx is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology. Her medical interests include diabetes and the endocrine aspects of Down syndrome, and she also sees patients at the Pediatric Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) clinic. In her free time, Dr. Bekx enjoys spending time with her family, and staying active outside with running, biking and downhill skiing. View Dr. Bekx’s publications here.
Melinda ChenMelinda Chen, MD
Dr. Chen received her medical degree from UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and completed her pediatric residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She trained in pediatric endocrinology at Riley Hospital at IUPUI in Indianapolis. Dr. Chen is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology. Her medical interests include global health and education, and she also sees patients in the multi-disciplinary Turner syndrome clinic. View Dr. Chen’s publications here.
Aaron CarrelAaron Carrel, MD
Dr. Carrel received his medical degree from the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and completed residency training in pediatrics and fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology at the University of Wisconsin Children’s Hospital. He is board-certified in pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology, with special interests in childhood growth and weight disturbances, and Prader-Willi syndrome. Dr. Carrel is also medical director of the UW Health Pediatric Fitness Clinic in Madison, Wisconsin. View Dr. Carrel’s publications here.
Ellen Connor, MDEllen Connor, MD
Dr. Connor completed medical school and pediatrics residency at the Louisiana State University Medical Center-Shreveport and completed fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology at the University of Florida. She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in pediatric endocrinology. Her special interests are diabetes, childhood obesity, autoimmune thyroid and adrenal diseases, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, gardening, paper arts, classical music, and snowshoeing. View Dr. Connor’s publications here.
Michael MacDonald, MDMichael MacDonald, MD
Dr. MacDonald earned his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, completed his residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, and completed fellowship training in pediatric endocrinology and diabetes at Harvard Medical School, Boston. Dr. MacDonald is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics in pediatric endocrinology and pediatrics. He has a special clinical interest in children with diabetes, especially atypical diabetes and the cause and genetics of the disease, hypoglycemia, and biochemistry of the pancreatic insulin-producing cells. Recently, a research team led by Dr. MacDonald discovered a genetic cause of a Type I diabetes syndrome that has puzzled investigators for 85 years. View Dr. MacDonald’s publications here.
Elizabeth Mann, MD
Liz received her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She then moved to the Twin Cities to train in pediatrics residency at the University of Minnesota, culminating her training in the chief resident position. During residency, she served as medical staff at the American Diabetes Association Camp Needlepoint in Hudson, WI for 3 years where her interests in type 1 diabetes research and clinical care blossomed and evolved. She was drawn back to the UW pediatric endocrine and diabetes team to pursue her fellowship (5 years after her rotation with the team as an MS4!) because of their excellence in clinical care, supportive research environment, and faculty commitment to education. She loves Madison for its lakes (and bike paths!) and can often be found sailing on Lake Mendota with friends, her husband and son.
Jennifer L. Rehm, MDJennifer Rehm, MD
Dr. Rehm’s medical interests include diabetes, working with adolescents, polycystic ovarian syndrome, disorders of sex development, and gender identity. Dr. Rehm’s research interests are in clinical research of pediatric obesity and insulin resistance, adipose tissue distribution, polycystic ovary syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Dr. Rehm utilized novel MR technology to develop at NAFLD risk assessment model incorporating fasting insulin, total cholesterol, waist circumference, and ethnicity to improve early diagnosis of NAFLD in at risk populations. Future studies will investigate the evolution of adiposity and associated insulin-resistance in infants and middle-school aged girls of different races and ethnicities. Outside UW, Dr. Rehm enjoys seeing her 5 nieces and nephews, spending time outdoors, and growing vegetables on her balcony. View Dr. Rehm’s publications here.
Ei Terasawa, PhDEi Terasawa, PhD
Dr. Terasawa-Grilley received her Ph.D. degree from the Yokohama City University, Graduate School of Medicine, in Japan, and postdoctoral trainings at the University of California-Berkeley and University of California-Los Angeles. Her research interests include the mechanism of the onset of puberty and regulation of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. She trained a substantial number of postdoctoral research fellows and graduate students, who are now professors and scientists engaging in research and education in the field of Neuroscience/Neuroendocrinology elsewhere in the world. She has published approximately 150 papers in peer-reviewed journals and over 30 book chapters. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to classical music and gardening. View Dr. Terasawa’s publications here.
Betsy Bender Roe, RN, CPN, DNPBetsy Bender Roe, DNP, APNP
Betsy graduated from UW-Madison with her bachelor’s degree in Nursing in 2007 and her Doctor of Nursing Practice-Pediatrics in August 2017. She has worked at the American Family Children’s Hospital since 2007 and caring for children and their families has always been her passion. Betsy’s medical interests include diabetes technology, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in children, and transition of care from childhood to adulthood. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and being outside with her husband and their two sons.
Meghan Furstenberg-Knauff, MSN, FNP-BC, APNP
Meghan has worked at American Family Children’s Hospital since 2014 and joined the Division of Endocrinology & Diabetes in 2022. She provides both inpatient and outpatient care. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and family exploring the outdoors by foot, ski, and bicycle.
Beth Van Den Langenberg, APNP, MSBeth Van Den Langenberg, APNP, MS
Beth is a nurse practitioner certified by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board. Her medical interests include insulin pump and continuous glucose sensor therapies, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes and pediatric-adult transition.
Whitney Beaton, MSN, RN, ACCNS-P, CDCESWhitney Beaton, MSN, RN, ACCNS-P, CDCES
Whitney attended the University of Kansas School of Nursing and earned her Master’s degree as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She became interested in diabetes while working in the PICU as a nurse. Whitney is the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Pediatric Diabetes (inpatient and ambulatory) at UW Health Kids. Whitney is a co-lead for the Diabetes in School Health (DiSH) Project ECHO series and a site coordinator for the T1D Exchange Collaborative. She has special interests in quality improvement, diabetes-related technology, and transitions of care. Outside of work Whitney enjoys spending time with her husband and children, jogging, and cooking.
Kelly Dunphy, ADN, RNKelly Dunphy, ADN, RN
Kelly has worked in our UW pediatric endocrine division since 2008. She loves getting to know patients and families and helping inspire families with motivation to make healthy choices as kids grow up. Kelly is particularly interested in caring for young girls and women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). She coordinates the multidisciplinary PCOS clinic with Endocrinology, OBGYN, Nutrition and Health Psychology. In addition to her love of her job at American Family Children’s Hospital, Kelly is proud of her family and their farm, where she, her husband and 2 kids raise hogs, sheep and cattle.
Amy Groener, RN, BSNAmy Groener, RN, BSN
Amy is a pediatric endocrinology nurse. She works with patients and families both in the clinical setting and triaging phone calls. She is the nurse coordinator for the Turner Syndrome Clinic and Pediatric Adolescent Transgender Health Clinic. In her free time, Amy enjoys spending time outside with her husband, their two active boys and dog Zanzibar. They enjoy a multitude of activities including biking, running and spending time on their boat.
Evelyn Kahl, RNEvelyn Kahl, RN
Evelyn Kahl is a nurse with pediatric endocrinology. She has a dedication to helping all patient s reach equitable, compassionate, and holistic care. In addition to working at AFCH she is pursuing her advanced nursing degree with an interest in nursing education. She loves riding her bike, trail running, and cooking healthy vegan meals for her friends and family.
Cheryl Laufenberg, BSN RNCheryl Laufenberg, BSN RN
Cheryl started as a Pediatric Nurse in 2009 and joined the Endocrine team in 2021. Cheryl has a love for teaching and supporting patients and their families as they learn and grow. Outside of nursing, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her husband, 3 active children and 2 dogs.
Juliana (Julie) Price, RN, MSN, CPNJuliana (Julie) Price, RN, MSN, CPN
Julie has worked as a nurse in pediatrics since 2008 and joined the diabetes team in 2013. She is a Diabetes Nurse Educator (CDCES) and has her Master’s in Nursing Education. Julie has a special interest in diabetes in toddlers and preschoolers, & diabetes technology. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two young children, and her dog (a Golden Retriever rescue). In her free time, you will find her at a library or local park with her kids, or up North enjoying time on the lake. She lives in Shorewood Hills and provides education to patients and families at AFCH in the Learning Center office.
Luckey, Tara (Loether)Tara Luckey – Fellowship Coordinator
tara.luckey@wisc.edu
600 Highland AveTara received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Human Development and Family Studies. Prior to joining the Education team as a Fellowship Coordinator, she worked as a Child Life Specialist. Tara loves getting to know the fellows and their interests and supporting them throughout their fellowship experience. Outside of work Tara enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and trying new restaurants.