Rosa Garner, Ombudsperson

Rosa Garner is the ombudsperson at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. She can informally assist faculty, staff or students who are dealing with conflict related to interpersonal interactions, climate concerns or professional barriers within the medical school community.

When appropriate, she may act as an intermediary or mediate disputes between parties.

Rosa holds a Juris Doctor in Law from the University of Denver Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from North Carolina State University. She has advanced training in ombuds practice, mediation, negotiation, public policy development and administrative investigation.

Prior to coming to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health in April 1998, Rosa conducted research for the Wisconsin Council on Developmental and Physical Disabilities and pursued her interests in writing and publishing. Before relocating to Madison with her husband in 1996, Rosa lived in Anchorage, Alaska, for 22 years, serving as ombudsman for the City of Anchorage and the Anchorage School District for four years and deputy ombudsman for the State of Alaska for four years. She also worked as an attorney in private practice and with the state court system and juvenile corrections for many years.

With over a decade of commitment to ombuds service and principles, Rosa is an active member of the University and College Ombuds Association, The Ombudsman Association, and the United States Ombudsman Association. She formerly served on the board of USOA, as president from 1995-1996, and is currently newsletter editor and business manager for the organization.