Congratulations to the eight DFMCH faculty who received promotions last academic year! Faculty in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health are employed within six distinct career tracks.
James Bigham, MD, MPH, FAAFP – Clinical Professor
Dr. Bigham is an exemplary physician in multiple dimensions; he has an unwavering commitment to his patients and the community. His commitment to family medicine extends beyond the “boundaries of the office” as evidenced by his record of community engagement and advocacy. Dr. Bigham’s exceptional ability to collaborate with community organizations and work effectively within interdisciplinary teams is a testament to his leadership and interpersonal skills. Notably, his collaboration with Safe Communities in Madison and a local gun shop resulted in the creation and implementation of an innovative workshop focused on harm reduction, patient education, and counseling. This workshop has received widespread recognition and is now being sought after beyond our institution, including other family medicine residency programs in Wisconsin.
David Kiefer, MD – Clinical Associate Professor
Dr. Kiefer has contributed in many ways to the family medicine and integrative health programs since coming to DFMCH. He demonstrates excellence in clinical practice, with significant accomplishment in multifaceted teaching, global health initiatives, with a commitment to lifelong learning with dedication to cross-cultural competency. As the director of the Integrative Health Consult Clinic, Dr. Kiefer has worked diligently to improve access and collaboration for patients with challenging and complex chronic conditions. As an educator, Dr. Kiefer is involved in teaching in several different capacities with several different groups of learners from phase 1 medical students to residents. He works to learn from (and with) individuals and communities of varied backgrounds with unique cultural needs and brings that knowledge back to share with the department.
Greta Kuphal, MD – Clinical Professor
Dr. Kuphal is deeply committed to providing holistic care for her patients. Her work as a medical educator and leader across the organization has emanated from this strong patient care base. Her outstanding work in clinical care has been recognized in many ways by her patients as well as by the department in her selection as a “We Talk” coach. She is a model for person‐centered care that supports patients on their terms and based on their goals. In her role as educator, Dr. Kuphal shows commitment to learners of all levels. She has worked with the integrative medicine elective in the family medicine residency and directed the Integrative Health Fellowship in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. In these roles, she cultivated robust, clinically relevant experiences that further the focus on the whole person.
Jillian Landeck, MD, MA, FAAFP – Associate Professor (CHS)
Dr. Landeck has had a substantial impact on medical education and clinical care especially in the areas of addiction medicine, rural medicine training, and obstetrics. Her commitment to excellence, visionary leadership, and tireless efforts have positioned her as a leader within our department and beyond. Dr. Landeck has played a pivotal role in the Rural Health Equity Track (RHET) program, where she has not only directed curriculum development but has also provided invaluable mentorship to residents. Her willingness to take on the complex challenges of chronic pain management and substance use disorders, particularly in a rural context, reflects her exceptional dedication to patient-centered care. As the AODA Green County medical director, her collaborations with community and county leaders have led to significant and sustained health outcomes.
Julia Lubsen, MD – Associate Professor (CHS)
Dr. Lubsen has made a significant impact on the care of older adults in family medicine in all areas of her work. Her commitment to clinical engagement and teaching excellent care of older adults is imperative as the population of Wisconsin ages and we need to grow our geriatric workforce. Her mission as an educator is to empower learners to provide compassionate and competent care to older adults and patients with complex medical and social needs. She strives to model excellence in geriatrics in clinical primary care and has led initiatives to improve the quality of care for older adults at UW Health. Dr. Lubsen’s leadership and scholarship helps develop interprofessional teams to support access to medical care in the places where people live, allowing older adult residents of Wisconsin to age in place with appropriate healthcare.
Vincent Minichiello, MD – Associate Professor (CHS)
Dr. Minichiello’s longstanding and deep commitment to integrative health has influenced every aspect of his career, including his clinical practice, educational focus, leadership roles, and research drive. Dr Minichiello not only provides evidence‐based integrative services to his patients but also established billing codes and, most importantly, insurance coverage for these procedures. Dr Minichiello has consistently committed to and advocated for the accessibility of integrative practices for all. His work in translating the impact of integrative training and mindfulness training into scholarly publication is exemplary. Dr. Minichiello has numerous publications and national presentations sharing the impact of interventions. His commitment to sharing this academic work nationally facilitates the broadening of integrative medicine across all medical practices towards good medicine.
Christopher Nicholas, PhD – Associate Professor (CHS)
Dr. Nicholas has been, and continues to be, an important member of the Addiction Medicine group in the DFMCH where he has led cutting edge research about psychedelics and substance use, depression, and PTSD. His scholarly output is exemplary. Dr. Nicholas’ role in care teams at the UW pain clinic is also worthy of note. While health psychology’s presence in the context of pain management is common, Dr. Nicholas’ niche, with specific attention to substance misuse, is quite unique and of great service to a particularly vulnerable patient population in UW Health. His work will not only help people through challenging emotional traumas but help grow a deeper understanding of how the therapeutic ceremony with psychedelic substances may work together to catapult this healing process.
David Queoff, MD – Clinical Professor
Dr. Queoff is a strong clinician with years of experience providing, and exemplifying, excellent patient care. He is an invaluable member of the health care team at UW, collaborating with his primary care and specialty colleagues to care for patients. Dr. Queoff does an exceptional job of helping his patients successfully navigate specialty care, consistently helping them achieve positive outcomes. He has been a leader and educator in the UWSMPH, UPH Meriter and his community. Dr. Queoff is highly regarded by peers and consultants and has had a significant positive impact on the health of the people of Sun Prairie.
Published: July 2024