UW - Department of Family Medicine and Community Health

11/24/2025

Dr. Tom Hartjes received a Katcher-Schlach award after being nominated by students from the MEDiC clinic program for his compassion for patients and dedication to teaching. Congratulations, Dr. Hartjes! https://buff.ly/GJmi1mv

11/21/2025

DFMCH faculty member Sarina Schrager, MD, MS will be awarded the Advancing Faculty in Medicine and Science Award by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Group on Women in Medicine and Science for her scholarship and advocacy work in advancing faculty in medicine and science. Congratulations, Dr. Schrager!
https://buff.ly/4zNYRkZ

11/20/2025

In recognition of National Rural Health Day, we'd like to highlight a few of our rural community partners for their exemplary commitment to supporting and advancing rural health. These organizations support our rural communities by addressing social determinants of health including transportation, food insecurity, workforce shortages and housing.

Join us in thanking our rural partners today and every day!
SWCAP
Green County Healthy Community Coalition
Green County Public Health
Community Connections Free Clinic
Belleville Community Health Improvement Project
Mental Health Matters of Green County
United Neighbors Free Clinic of Lafayette County

11/19/2025

DFMCH professor Dr. Christopher Nicholas is a leading voice in the utilization of psychedelics for therapeutic treatment of trauma, addiction and mental illness. Dr. Nicholas' research aims to help veterans and those struggling with PTSD, depression and opioid use disorder, but the use of Schedule I substances has yet to be approved by the FDA.

"There's a misconception that these compounds are either dangerous or miracle cures. Neither is true. Our job is to educate, be transparent, and to help people understand both the promise and the limitations."

Read more about Dr. Nicholas' career and research: https://buff.ly/MURZHgn

11/18/2025

Yesterday we gathered for our annual State of the Department meeting, and celebrated some colleagues for their years of service to the department. Shown are group photos of recipients of the five, ten, 15, 20, and 25 Years of Service awards, respectively.

11/14/2025

Dr. Bob Freidel joined FOX6 News Milwaukee to discuss the H3N2 flu strain outbreak and how to prevent illness in the holiday season. Watch his clip here: https://buff.ly/oETjGdQ

11/13/2025

Our Office of Community Health is looking for a graduate student to fill a Community Health Research Assistant role. Find application information, job description and a list of duties here: https://buff.ly/0pKocaL

11/12/2025

Join us today at 12:15 pm for Grand Rounds, "Adult ADHD: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Navigating Real-World Challenges."

Our next Grand Rounds Forum, "Adult ADHD: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Navigating Real-World Challenges," will be presented virtually by Jake Behrens, MD on November 12. Join us at this link: https://buff.ly/AfUPgB5$

11/10/2025

In commemoration of the American Family Physician's 75th anniversary, American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has released a video series highlighting key topics and experts in the field of family medicine, including our own Dr. Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar.

Dr. Salisbury-Afshar shares her perspective and expertise as a national leader in addiction medicine and public health on harm reduction and substance use prevention: https://buff.ly/aszDiOb

11/07/2025

Check out DFMCH Department Chair Dave Rakel, MD on the Badger Talks "Power of Gratitude" series! Watch the full episode, "How You See It Makes It Matter," here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxGbXK7JcbU

Did you know that seeing the glass half full might help you live longer?

Check out this Quick Pick from Dr. David Rakel, Chair of the UW - Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, in our November "Power of Gratitude" series!

Watch the full video here: https://hubs.li/Q03RQWnV0

11/06/2025

A Wisconsin Opioid Prevention and Treatment Research Network will be established after the CDC awarded a $1.6 million grant to a multidisciplinary research team lead by co-primary investigators Elizabeth Salisbury-Afshar, MD, MPH and Jill Denson, PhD, MSW, APSW (University of Wisconsin Department of Emergency Medicine). Read more about the project: https://buff.ly/AOwvKoc

11/05/2025

Dr. Joel Gordon spoke with Becker's Hospital Review IT about the UW Health adoption of the Abridge platform for AI ambient listening. Read what he had to say in the full article here: https://buff.ly/XB7nFUX