Community service, outreach and leadership—core values that embody the spirit of the McGovern-Tracy Student Scholars Awards and the individuals for which they are named. Established 20 years ago, the awards celebrate the contributions of Isabel McGovern Kerr’s pioneering family members who served as some of the earliest family physicians in Wisconsin and the life of medical student Michele Tracy. In a virtual ceremony honoring them and the students and faculty who have embraced their legacy, DFMCH Interim Chair William Schwab, MD, introduced keynote speaker Susan Skochelak, MD, MPH, group vice president for Medical Education at the American Medical Association, who also had the honor of speaking at the very first ceremony in 2001.
Watch the 2021 McGovern-Tracy Student Scholars Awards
Download: 2021 McGovern Tracy and Student Scholars Program Booklet (PDF 9MB)
Inspiration and Imprinting
In her address, Skochelak explained the two important factors that helped establish these awards: inspiration and imprinting. “Certainly the two namesakes of the McGovern-Tracy Scholars were amazing and inspiring individuals,” said Skochelak, who was senior associate dean of the UW Medical School in 1999 when she learned that Michele Tracy died in an accident while returning from a medical student trip to Malawi. Tracy was active in the student-run free MEDiC Clinics across Dane County before she helped organize, with 14 other medical students, the trip to Malawi where she fulfilled her dream of helping children orphaned from AIDS. Skochelak remembered the strength of Tracy’s family during that difficult time and the solace they took knowing she lived her life fully and followed her passion to help others. Skochelak believes that these inspiring individuals, and many others like them, imprint on those who serve with them or follow their leads. “The McGovern-Tracy Scholars are being recognized for their early accomplishments that follow the values that have inspired us,” added Skochelak. “And those early experiences will imprint on them a passion for the kinds of accomplishments that we only can wish for them in their future careers.”
Meet the Recipients
Associate Director of Internship Preparation Christa Pittner-Smith, MD, presented the awards for Compassion in Action, Compassion in Action Community Health Leadership, and Compassion in Action International Health Leadership.
Compassion in Action, from left: Erik Sanson, Meghan Zander
Compassion in Action Community Health Leadership, from left: Yanzi Jiang, Angela Olvera
Compassion in Action International Health Leadership: David Marshall, MPH
Director of Medical Student Education Mark Beamsley, MD, presented the Lester Brillman awards. The Scholarship Award is given to excellent fourth-year medical students planning to enter a career in family medicine. The Advocacy and Leadership Award is given to a highly qualified fourth-year medical student who has excellent leadership experience and is planning to enter a career in family medicine. The Mentorship in Family Medicine Award is given to a preceptor who is an excellent teacher and supports student interest in family medicine as a career.
Dr. Lester Brillman Scholarship Award, from left: Courtney Bork, David Glaubke, Gerardo Rodriguez
Dr. Lester Brillman Advocacy and Leadership Award: Jane Salutz
Dr. Lester Brillman Mentorship in Family Medicine Award: Stephen Holthaus, MD
Family Medicine Interest Group Faculty Advisor Jacob Bryan, MD, presented several awards including the Founders Award, the Robert F. and Irma Korbitz Endowed Scholarship in Family Medicine Award, and the Vogel Foundation Award.
Founders Award: Nivedita Nair
Robert F. and Irma K. Korbitz Endowed Scholarship in Family Medicine Award, from left: Benjamin Kannenberg, Rutvi Shah
Vogel Foundation Award: Kahoua Yang
Professor and Interim Chair William Schwab, MD, presented the Jan Ashe Memorial Award for Excellence in Community Radiography. The award was created 16 years ago as a tribute to Ashe, a dedicated professional radiology technician and a beloved member of the Northeast Family Medical Center staff.
Jan Ashe Award: Shonté Bell
Service Chief John Hawkins, MD, presented the McGovern-Tracy Scholars Awards to, from left: James Ircink, MD, Alexandra Wolf, DO, and Simon Yadgir.
Congratulations to the 2021 recipients!
Published: June 2021