Wisconsin Medicine Impact Stories
Life-changing stories have been coming out of UW Health and the UW School of Medicine and Public Health since the very beginning. Whether it’s providing a new lease on life to a patient, supporting a gifted medical student, or offering the hope of an innovative treatment to a family struggling with an illness, such stories impact us all. Here are just some of those inspiring stories.
Because of child life, Mason isn’t afraid
The first time Brittany and Tyler Tomjanovich rushed to the emergency department with their 5-month-old son, Mason, a child life specialist met them at the door—with water, a sandwich and compassion. That small act, made possible only because of your support, began a journey child life would walk with their family every step of the way. Mason has had six surgeries, over 100 appointments and countless blood draws – but because of child life, he isn’t afraid.
A happy childhood for Alaina despite uncertainty
Seven-year-old Alaina lives with an incurable heart condition—but with nurse navigator Eden Jackson at her side, she also lives with joy. Generous support from people like you allowed us to recruit nurse navigators to guide families like Alaina’s through surgeries, tough decisions and daily uncertainties with compassion and strength. Eden reminds Alaina’s parents that they’re not alone, and Alaina can focus on just being a kid.
Big smiles from Gloria after brain surgery
Gloria began having terrifying seizures just weeks after coming home from the NICU. They grew more frequent—and more dangerous. When medications failed, surgery was her only hope. Because of you, UW Health Kids is one of just two Level IV Epilepsy Centers in Wisconsin—the highest level of care and technology available to empower Dr. Raheel Ahmed to perform lifesaving brain surgery—and give Gloria the freedom to smile.
Bright days ahead for Ellie after transplant
Sean and Steve Eiles finally realized their dream when they brought their newborn daughter Ellie home after a long adoption journey. Just months later, they were blindsided: Ellie’s liver was failing; only a transplant could save her. With generous support from philanthropy, we built upon the UW Health Transplant Center’s long-standing history to develop UW Health Kids transplant programs dedicated to caring for children so Ellie could receive the gift of life.
A life-changing transplant and a remarkable achievement
Gary Grosklaus, after waiting for two years due to declining kidney function and managing Type 2 diabetes, received a simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant on February 20. This life-changing surgery, performed at UW Health, not only marked the 20,000th organ transplant milestone for the center but also freed him from the need for daily insulin injections and dialysis.
Mac is grateful an organ donor saved his friend’s life
An orange dot on a driver’s license lets others know that someone has said “yes” to organ donation. With support from philanthropy, UW Organ and Tissue Donation partnered with the Madison Radicals professional ultimate disc team to show how to register as an organ donor and save more lives.
Promising research gives hope to people like Randy
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis put Randy Teske on the waiting list for a lung transplant. While there are treatments that may slow the progression of this deadly disease, there is no cure. With support from philanthropy, Dr. Lynn Schnapp hopes her research will help change that.
Meet Sezar, our first pediatric heart transplant recipient
After years of preparation and planning, the pediatric heart transplant program at the UW Health Transplant Center launched in March 2023. Sezar became the first pediatric patient to receive a heart transplant at American Family Children’s Hospital on August 22, 2023.
Sarah Bounces Back Quickly After Heart Transplant
Sarah Russell’s heart went from perfectly healthy to 10% function in just one day. Fortunately, she had the team at the UW Health Heart Transplant Program helping her and she received the gift of life with a heart transplant eight days after her cardiac event.
Pleasant T. Rowland Transplant Clinic opens at University Hospital
After decades of living with chronic kidney disease, a vital transplant gave Pleasant Rowland a healthy kidney, a bright future, and a broader philanthropic scope. She is expressing her profound gratitude through a transformational contribution that will change the face of transplant at the UW Health Transplant Center.
A Perfect Match
Following a successful kidney transplant at UW Health, Jeff Bakiares and his wife, Lynn, were so moved by the care Jeff received that they focused their philanthropic endeavors on the field of nephrology with a remarkable man in mind, Dr. Didier Mandelbrot.
The Future of Organ Availability
What UW Health is doing to address shortages for those who need organ transplantation.
Jennifer Johnson Is a Go-Getter
After her lung transplant, Jennifer Johnson is using her experiences to help other patients and raise awareness around organ donation.
A Transformational Gift for Transplants
“I was blessed to live so close to a world-renowned transplant center.” — Pleasant Rowland