WMAA Service Award

The University of Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association WMAA Service Award honors an alumnus who has exhibited exceptional commitment to the WMAA over the years.

2012 WMAA Service Award Recipient

Louis C. Bernhardt, MD '63

Dr. Bernhardt is a life member of the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association. He served as president of the organization from 1972-73. He practiced at Dean Medical Center in Madison his entire career until retiring in 2002. He specialized in adult cardiac surgery, general thoracic surgery and peripheral vascular surgery.

Dr. Bernhardt completed a general surgery residency and a thoracic-cardiovascular surgery residency at UW Hospital and Clinics. He has been teaching in the UW Department of Surgery since becoming an instructor during his residency in 1968. He continues to be deeply involved in the Surgery Clerkship for medical students. He is also a long-time member of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Admissions Committee. Throughout the years he has also served in leadership positions of the Wisconsin Surgical Society.

He is a member of the Hospice Care Foundation Board and was co-chair of the Hospice capital campaign. He also works with the Benevolent Specialists Project, which is dedicated to providing quality specialty health care to uninsured and low-income patients. After his retirement, he became the surgical education coordinator for St. Mary's Hospital in Madison and a consultant for Verity Medical Inc. and Next Generation Clinical Research.

The WMAA honored him with its Ralph Hawley Distinguished Service Award.