Professional Development

Our vision is that all faculty, staff, and trainees in the Department of Pediatrics will flourish in their personal lives and professional careers.

Our mission is to create and maintain relevant and innovative growth opportunities for faculty, staff, and trainees within the University of Wisconsin Department of Pediatrics. These opportunities are guided by principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion to address personal and professional well-being. Professional development opportunities will be developed based on the needs of faculty and staff within our department and through the recognition of national and local issues affecting pediatric clinical care, education, quality improvement, research, and advocacy. Consistent with the Wisconsin Idea, the impact of our professional development education will benefit the children and families that we serve in our communities and throughout the state.

Regularly Scheduled Series & CME

Pediatrics Grand Rounds

Thursdays from 7:30-8:30 a.m. via Zoom

Pediatrics Grand Rounds is a weekly multidisciplinary conference designed to improve participant's ability to practice pediatric medicine. These sessions are for CME and MOC Part II credits.

woman giving lecture at podium

Medical Education Scholars in Pediatrics

Medical Education Scholars in Pediatrics is a monthly conference for faculty and trainees to conduct research in medical education, viewing medical education as a primary focus for academic scholarship.

books on a desk in front of a green chalkboard with algebra equations

Pediatric Collaborative Care Behavioral Health Conference

The Pediatric Collaborative Care Behavioral Health Conference is a bi-monthly interactive lecture series that focuses on core behavioral health clinical topics encountered in pediatric primary care settings.

child holding teddy bear while doctor checks the teddy bear's chest with a stethoscope

Family-Led Academic Grand Rounds

These national, quarterly educational sessions will be led and presented by families. FLAG Rounds flips the traditional model and embraces family as educators as they share their stories and offer strategies to develop knowledge and skills.

Visiting Professor Program

Starting July 1, 2025, the Department of Pediatrics will facilitate up to four one-day visiting professorships per academic year. These professorships can be hosted by any member of the department who completes an application. Prior to applying, the visiting professorship must be approved by the applicant’s division head. Applications will be reviewed by the Visiting Professorship Committee and granted based on the proposal for the visit and the needs of the department.

Visit the Visiting Professor Program wesite to view the requirements and application. NetID required for login.

Conferences

Clinical Care Week

September 9-13, 2024

This conference highlights innovations in clinical care through state and nationwide lenses.

Learn more

Medical Education Week

February 3-7, 2025

This conference highlights medical education and scholarship for faculty, staff, and trainees.

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Research Week

May 12-16, 2025

This conference highlights the latest advances and practices in pediatric research.

Learn more

Lectureships

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The Allen Inspiring Children Lecture

The Allen Inspiring Children Lecture welcomes our new trainees each academic year. This lectureship is grounded in motivating, creating connections and sparking passion in these new learners, by sharing the experiences that have made faculty wiser clinicians and to keep learning and growing from patients.

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The Gilbert-Barness Lecture

The Gilbert-Barness Lecture, as designated by its endowment, invites University of Wisconsin medical community individuals who will provide state-of-the-art, contemporary information and ideas in the areas of pediatrics and pathology. The lectureship is co-administered by the Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics and embodies the highest ideals of academics. It broadens the learning potential of both departments and will bring to the entire University community fresh ideas on which to contemplate.

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The Norman Fost Lecture on Skepticism and Critical Thinking

The Norman Fost Lecture on Skepticism and Critical Thinking is presented on a topic that reflects the engagement of skepticism and critical thinking about a health care issue that may be guided by conventional wisdom rather than facts, preferably about an ethical issue related to pediatrics.

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The Murray Katcher Child Health Advocacy Lecture

The Murray Katcher Child Health Advocacy Lecture honors Murray Katcher, MD’75, PhD, emeritus professor of pediatrics. Katcher retired from the Department of Pediatrics in 2012 after 35 years as both a clinician and a focused, tireless, prodigious advocate for the health and safety of children and vulnerable adults. The Katcher Lectureship features speakers who address the challenges and successes of such advocacy.

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The Iams-Tuffli Lecture

The Iams-Tuffli Lecture is an annual lecture series on the practice of pediatrics. The series is named after the late Alexander Iams, MD, and Gordon Tuffli, MD, two Madison-based pediatricians and friends who embodied the lecture series’ goal of promoting camaraderie in the field of pediatrics. After Iams passed away in 1984, his family – including son and daughter-in-law Jay and Pat Iams – established a memorial fund and lecture series to honor his 35+ years in pediatrics. The annual lecture covers a diverse range of topics relevant to pediatricians in both private and academic settings. Additionally, the memorial fund generously pays for the registration fees for all participants.

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The Odell Lecture

The Odell Lecture was established in 1994 to honor Dr. Gerard B. Odell, Emeritus Professor of Pediatrics. Dr. Odell was internationally recognized for his research in the field of neonatal jaundice and bilirubin metabolism. In addition to the lectureship, the Gerard B. Odell Research Award was established to honor Dr. Odell’s distinguished career in pediatrics research, academics, clinical practice and education. The award is given to an assistant or associate professor of pediatrics in recognition of outstanding research accomplishments and demonstrated potential for future contributions in basic or translational research.

Learn more

Workshops and Special Series

The Department of Pediatrics hosts a variety of workshops and special series for its department members. Additional information, including registration and Zoom links, can be found on our Professional Development intranet. NetID required for login.

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Flourish Hour - Series

Flourish Hour, held monthly on Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. via Zoom, works to support department members in flourishing in their careers and personal lives. Sessions may include a variety of topics that relate to our department’s strategic priorities, as well as topics such as finding passion in your work, how to utilize time management strategies, and how to live a healthier life.

These sessions are recorded and can be accessed on the Department of Pediatrics Intranet.


2024-2025 Schedule

September 26: Getting Involved in Elections || Laura Houser, MD, Juli Aulik, Matt Phair, T. J. Clark, JD,  and Art Saffran

October 24: Wellbeing || Mala Mathur, MD, MPH,  Marianna Shershneva, MD, PhD, and Shandra Bauer

November 21: Passion and Purpose || TBD

January 23: Surviving Cabin Fever || TBD

February 27: DEI || Mary Ehlenbach, MD & Aaric Guerriero

April 17: TBD || TBD

June 26: TBD || TBD

Designing QI to Promote Equity: Data, Ethics, and Community Partners - Workshop || Thursday, October 17

Date: Thursday, October 17 || Zoom

Speaker: Casey Lion, MD, MPH, associate professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine

Overview: In this 90 minute workshop, Dr. Casey Lion will lead discussion and small group activities building on her Grand Rounds presentation that morning. We will discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the sociodemographic variables often used to look for disparities; practice taking a structured approach to anticipating intended and unintended consequences of QI on equity, using participants’ projects as examples; and discuss practical strategies for identifying and engaging community partners in QI work. This highly interactive workshop will focus on the issues of greatest interest to workshop participants as they seek to promote health equity, and/or safeguard against creating or worsening inequities, with their QI project.

Audience: Members of the Department of Pediatrics

Learn more and register on the Professional Development intranet.

Story Slam || Thursday, October 24

Date: Thursday, October 24 || HSLC 1335 & Zoom

Storytellers: Carlee Blakemore, MD, Jenny Huffman, MSW, APSW, Dan Sklansky, MD, Caleb Hatchett, RN

Overview: Our mission is to foster a sense of connectedness and shared humanity through storytelling that builds community, nurtures compassion for self and others, encourages introspection, and inspires meaning-making.

Learn more on the Story Slam website.

UW Health Sustainability Celebration || Wednesday, October 30

Date: Wednesday, October 30th I HSLC 1345 & Atrium

Time: Summit starts at 3 p.m. and ends at 3:45 with an array of speakers. A poster session and reception will go from 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. in the atrium.

Overview: The UW Health Sustainability Celebration will be co-hosted by the UW Health Department of Pediatrics,  Healthy Climate Wisconsin, and UW Health Sustainability Program. This event will highlight the incredible climate and health initiatives, programs, and research that are being done at UW Health to positively impact the worldwide climate crisis.

Submit a poster, find more information, and register now!

Assessing Resident Progress - Workshop || Thursday, November 14

Date: Thursday, November 14 || HSLC 3110 C

Speaker: Ariel Winn, MD, assistant professor of Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital

Overview: In this workshop, Dr. Winn will address Entrustable Professional Activities in assessing resident progress in training. 

Find more information on the Professional Development intranet.

Speak up for Children - Workshop || Thursday, December 12

Date: Thursday, December 12 || HSLC 3110 B

Keynote Speaker: Jamie Poslosky, vice president, strategic communications, American Academy of Pediatrics

Overview: The Department of Pediatrics is excited to present a day of advocacy facilitated by Jamie Poslosky. Poslosky is the Vice President of Strategic Communications at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in Washington, DC, where she brings over 15 years of experience. In this role, Jamie leads the Academy’s work to advance strategic communications initiatives, manage crises, and direct advocacy communications. Jamie also oversees the AAP’s new Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health, which serves as a centralized, trusted source of evidence and support for children and teens, parents, educators, pediatricians and other professionals who help youth navigate social media.

Audience: Members of the Department of Pediatrics

Learn more and register here.

Professional Development Team

Mala Mathur, MD, MPH

Position title: Associate Professor, Director of Professional Development

Reva Finkelman

Position title: Professional Development Manager

Email: rfinkelman@pediatrics.wisc.edu

Phone: (608) 263-8542

Catherine (Kate) Dougherty

Position title: Professional Development Specialist

Email: catherine.dougherty@pediatrics.wisc.edu

Jenna Contreras

Position title: Strategic Initiatives Specialist

Email: jrcontreras@pediatrics.wisc.edu

Professional Development Calendar

The below calendar includes Pediatrics Grand Rounds, Medical Education Scholars in Pediatrics, conferences, lectureships, Flourish Hours and workshops/series.

Pediatrics Grand Rounds- Casey Lion, MD, MPH

Via Zoom

The Department of Pediatrics is excited to welcome Casey Lion, MD, MPH, associate professor of pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, for Pediatrics Grand Rounds and workshop centering on equity in quality improvement. See …

Pediatrics Grand Rounds- Gilbert Barness Lecture- Gail Deutsch, MD

Via Zoom

Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024 Time: 12:00-1:00 p.m. CST  in HSLC 1345 and via Zoom Zoom Link Title: Manifestations of Abnormal Lung Development: Insights from under the Microscope Speaker: Gail H. Deutsch, MD, professor, Department of …

Pediatrics Grand Rounds- Story Slam

HSLC 1335 +1 more

Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024 Time: 7:30-8:30 a.m. CST in HSLC 1335 and via Zoom Zoom Link Title: Story Slam: Care and Comfort Session Overview: Story Slams mission is to foster a sense of connectedness and shared …

Flourish Hour- October 24, 2024

Via Zoom

Theme: Wellbeing Speakers: Mala Mathur, MD, MPH,  Marianna Shershneva, MD, PhD, and Shandra Bauer   Zoom Link: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/98830520055?pwd=4rdwEJIduoZF1dvkLkNHkxkKWTjJS0.1 Flourish Hour is accessible to all faculty, staff, and trainees and these sessions are created to support department …

Pediatrics Grand Rounds- Jeff Thompson, MD

HSLC 1335 +1 more

Date: Thursday, October 31, 2024 Time: 7:30-8:30 a.m. CST in HSLC 1335 and via Zoom Zoom Link Title: Rising up to Our Responsibility to Connect Health, Healthcare, and Our Environment Session Overview: We will discuss the great …

Pediatrics Grand Rounds- Ariel Winn, MD

Via Zoom

Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024 Time: 7:30-8:30 a.m. CST via Zoom Zoom Link Title: The Role of Frontline Faculty Member Assessment in Ensuring Residents are Ready to Practice without Supervision at the Time of Graduation Session Overview: …

Pediatrics Grand Rounds- Ali Rowhani-Rahbar, MD, PhD, MPH

Via Zoom

Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024 Time: 7:30-8:30 a.m. CST via Zoom Zoom Link Title: Firearm Storage Practices and Pediatric Injury: What is the State of Evidence? Overview: Firearm injury is the leading cause of death among individuals aged …

Flourish Hour- November 21, 2024

Via Zoom

Theme: Passion and Purpose Speaker: TBD Zoom Link: https://uwmadison.zoom.us/j/91266302005?pwd=eW53GE9EyaBwGniGPVIhYsp1T7GNAk.1 Flourish Hour is accessible to all faculty, staff, and trainees and these sessions are created to support department members in flourishing in their careers. Sessions may include …

Pediatrics Grand Rounds- Sean T. O’Leary, MD, MPH

HSLC 1335 +1 more

Date: Thursday, December 5, 2024 Time: 7:30-8:30 a.m. CST in HSLC 1335 and via Zoom Zoom Link Title: Forthcoming Speaker: Sean T. O’Leary, MD, MPH, professor of Pediatrics, Sections of Pediatric Infectious Diseases/Epidemiology and General Academic Pediatrics, …