Executive Director's Message

Karen Peterson, WMAA Executive Director

Greetings, medical alumni! It's early June as I write this message and the hallways of the Health Sciences Learning Center (HSLC) are much too quiet. We've just experienced a very successful spring semester filled with many events and activities for alumni and students, so we miss the flurry of activity. But it does give us time to plan for fall 2009 and winter 2010!

Before I tell you about what's in store for the future, I'd like to reflect on the recent past. During Alumni Weekend, we honored the Class of 1959, acknowledged many award recipients and celebrated five class reunions. It was heart-warming to see so many alumni gather to reminisce and enjoy the weekend. Student leaders also were very involved in the weekend and did a wonderful job of introducing alumni to our HSLC. Alumni also had an opportunity to tour the new Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research.

The Class of 2009 enjoyed a spectacular graduation day. It began with a recognition ceremony at the Memorial Union Theater and ended with a grand celebration at the Monona Terrace Convention Center for over 700 guests. The event was co-sponsored by the school and the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Weekend (WMAA).

Now we look to fall with great anticipation and enthusiasm. Following are the highlights.

Fall Reunions

Several class representatives have made the decision to celebrate reunions in conjunction with Homecoming. As a result, reunions are being planned for the Classes of 1969, 1974, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999 and 2004, to be held October 16 and 17. Your class reps will soon send details.

Homecoming

The WMAA will hosts its annual tailgate the morning of October 17th. Given Union South is has been torn down, we will host this event in the HSLC before the Iowa game. Tickets for medical alumni will be available through the WMAA office. Priority will be given to WMAA and Middleton Society members as well as class reunion attendees.

Resident Event

The WMAA continues to strengthen our relationship with University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics (UWHC) residents. In our effort to do so, we are planning a tailgate party for residents the on November 14th prior to the Michigan game.

Winter Event

I realize this is a bad word here in Wisconsin. But we need to start planning the winter event now! The WMAA events committee is expecting to hold the event in the Wisconsin Dells. This will be a kid-friendly, family event and the date has been set for Friday, February 19th. Details forthcoming on the Events and Programs section of our Web site.

Feel free to contact me with your ideas, issues, and even concerns. You can contact me at  (608) 263-4913, kspeters@.wisc.edu or write to Karen S. Peterson, assistant dean for alumni/external relations and director, Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association, 750 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705, phone: (608) 263-4913, fax: (608) 262-0306.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Karen S. Peterson