Department of Pediatrics
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
A series of photos showing medical students examining kids in a clinical setting.
A photo of a medical student examining a child in a clinical setting next to a photo of a health professional demonstrating an ear scope to medical students.

Pediatric Interest Group

The Pediatric Interest Group (PIG) is a UW School of Medicine and Public Health student organization for medical students interested in the field of Pediatrics. PIG offers students opportunities to learn about Pediatric specialties through a variety of platforms, including noon talks, physician shadowing, and special events. Working closely with faculty, residents, fellows, and the community, PIG strives to help students prepare for a career in Pediatric medicine while promoting student involvement in the specialty. All are welcome to join!

Join the Pediatric Interest Group!

Upcoming spring 2026 events coming soon!

Social events will be added throughout the year. Keep an eye on your email for details about these activities, or contact the PIG team for more details.

  • Stay tuned for A Night at the Children’s Hospital, where students will have the opportunity to meet pediatrics faculty over dinner, have hands-on experiences examining children, and partake in a tour of the children’s hospital.

Note: Check your email, the WiscPedsRes Instagram account, or this webpage for updates.

Previous events

In fall 2025, PIG hosted the following events:

  • Meet the Department of Pediatrics – Dinner and “speed dating” with members of divisions from across the Department of Pediatrics
  • Noon Talks (Fridays)
    • Child Life
    • Neonatology and AI with Dr. Ryan McAdams
    • Peds Research and Shapiro Program
    • Pediatric Interventional Cardiology with Dr. Luke Lamers
    • Peds Research and Shapiro Program
    • Pediatric Residency Chief Residents
    • Developmental Pediatrics with Dr. Katie Kastner
  • Pediatric Subspecialty Panel over lunch
  • Trunk or Treat Halloween-themed event – A collaboration provided by PIG, the Gold Humanism Honor Society, and the Family and Nontraditional Students Group

Get involved

Below is a list of ways you can learn more about Pediatrics and opportunities for you to connect with our faculty.

Have questions or a suggestion?

We would love to hear from you! Email Tori Benson, UME program coordinator.

Logo for the Pediatric Interest Group at the University of Wisconsin, featuring a cartoon pig wearing a stethoscope and a red sweatshirt with P.I.G. written on it.

Why Pediatrics?

Are you considering a career in pediatrics? Members of the Department of Pediatrics at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health offer their perspectives on the field of pediatrics, talk about their career journeys, and share the reasons why they decided to become pediatricians in the video below.

Student Leaders

Zoe DeZeeuw

Pediatric Interest Group Student Leader

Madeline Kotz

Pediatric Interest Group Student Leader

Jeronimo Najarro

Pediatric Interest Group Student Leader

Faculty Liaisons

Laura Chen, MD

Assistant Professor, Phase 3 Inpatient Acting Internship Course Director

Dominic Co, MD, PhD

Associate Professor, Phase 2 Assistant Block Leader – Specialized Care of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Pediatric Patients (SCOPE)

Eileen Cowan, MD

Associate Professor, Pediatric Phase 1 Pre-Clerkship Director, Phase 1 Integrated Block Leader – Human Family Tree (HFT)

Kirstin Nackers, MD

Associate Professor, Director of Pediatric Undergraduate Medical Education, Phase 2 Integrated Block Leader – Specialized Care of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Pediatric Patients (SCOPE)

Program Coordinator

Tori Benson

UME Program Coordinator