On Call: Catching Up With Three Family Medicine Physicians

What have graduates of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health been up to lately? Three medical school alumni who are family medicine physicians share their stories.

Alan Strobusch, MD '80 

Family medicine is full of transitions. After many years in primary care at ThedaCare Physicians in Waupaca, Wisconsin, I recently became medical director of the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King.

This new role includes supervision of the health care team delivering care to 720-plus veterans and their eligible dependents.

Family medicine was my interest from early on in medical school. A rural rotation in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, cemented my commitment to family practice and rural medicine, despite professors urging me into specialty practice.

I stayed in Madison for my residency, and after finishing, I started an independent rural family practice in New London, Wisconsin, sharing office space with Donn Fuhrmann, MD '76.

I feel family practice is the most varied of all the specialties. Days and nights are filled with interesting patients and diagnostic dilemmas. Caring for extended families uniquely positions you to recommend family-specific health screening and preventive advice.

Over the years I've taught and mentored numerous medical students, residents, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. I've realized that by giving back in this way, I'm able to learn and challenge myself more.

I served the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians as a board member, president and chairperson. And I have traveled and networked with many state and national medical leaders.

I'm less involved today as my perspective changed in 2005, when our youngest son, Kyle, was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. Kyle is doing well today, but it made me realize the importance of spending more time with my family.

As I reflect on my 30-year career, I realize being a family physician is more than just a doctor-patient relationship. I became a friend, confidant and advisor to my patients. I was a part of their lives and they were a part of mine. My patients have taught me things I did not learn in medical school - patience, kindness, confidence and the strength of the human spirit. Family medicine can enrich a physician's life beyond measure.

Lynn Budzak, MD '90

I'm currently working at the Matsu Veterans Administration (VA) Outpatient Clinic in Wasilla, Alaska. I was in private practice in De Pere, Wisconsin, for 12 years. But as the clinic rapidly expanded, I felt less and less satisfaction with my career. About four years ago, I changed pathways and went to the Green Bay VA Outpatient Clinic.

Getting involved in federal medicine has been a tremendously refreshing change in my career. I made a lateral move within the VA system a year ago and now I'm the only physician staffing the Matsu Clinic.

My practice involves veterans from all military genres, but the majority here in Alaska are older Vietnam veterans. I provide a lot of long-term disease management, with many problems resulting from Agent Orange exposure. The job is really getting busy!

I chose family practice because I enjoy doing a little of everything. During medical school, I envisioned myself providing cradle-to-grave care for a rural community. I selected the UW Family Medicine Residency Program in Eau Claire because I wanted a program where I didn't have to compete with residents in other specialty training programs for patients. I received a good foundation there.

Family practice can be very rewarding but it is a very demanding, often under-respected, specialty.  

My most memorable case was from private practice. It entailed a lady who had self-referred to multiple specialists for treatment of her hypertension (cardiology), her new-onset diabetes (endocrinology) and osteoporosis (orthopedics). Each specialist cared for each problem. I became her favorite doctor when I correctly diagnosed her Cushing's disease.

I've been having many fun adventures on weekends since moving to Alaska, including doing some great hiking in places such as Reed Lakes and watching the Iditarod. I now understand why Dr. Dave Werner ('69) has practiced in Palmer, Alaska, for so many years.

The VA motto is "Serving those who served." I strive to provide compassionate care each and every day. Every patient has a story to tell so I try to truly listen. I want to pay back the men and women who have put their lives on the line for our freedom.

Christopher Witke, MD '00

I provide care at Viewmont Family Medicine in Hickory, North Carolina, which is part of Catawba Valley Medical Center. I've been in practice here for almost two years after leaving Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where I worked for about six years.

I now work in an outpatient-only practice, providing acute care, preventive medicine, chronic medical care and outpatient procedures. This lets me enjoy more time with my wife, Michelle, and our three children - Jacob, 10, Lauren, 8, and Sophia, 3.

In medical school, I was torn between obstetrics-gynecology and family medicine. I ultimately chose family medicine because I could deliver babies, which I did for six years after residency, but also could provide care for the entire family. I've had families in my practice in which I delivered the youngest member yet also cared for the great-grandparents.

I enjoy the different challenges family medicine brings, from the breadth of knowledge required to the diversity of patients seen in the clinic each day. One day, for example, I delivered a child, performed a lumbar puncture on another ill child and had to tell a 90-year-old patient of several years that she was terminally ill and would not leave the hospital. This required an array of procedural skills as well as an ability to relate in different ways with different kinds of patients.

I completed my internship and residency at the Methodist Medical Center, part of the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria, and served as chief resident for my final 18 months.

Family medicine is an ever-evolving specialty. It provides many different avenues to practice-solo practitioner or part of a group, independent or employed. You can choose what aspects of family medicine you enjoy and make them part of your practice.

I like the flexibility I have in practice and the diversity of my days as well as the freedom to spend time with my family. The medical school prepared me very well for my journey in family medicine and although I no longer live in Wisconsin, I will always be a Badger at heart.