Shezad Baloch, Continuing Education and Accreditation Specialist, School of Medicine and Public Health

I am eager to serve on the SMPH Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) once again, having previously dedicated two years to this important committee. During my first term, I gained invaluable insights and experience, which I am keen to build upon in the upcoming term. My diverse background as both a professional and a lifelong learner uniquely positions me to contribute meaningfully to CASI’s mission. I have been a part of the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) for several years, during which I have taken on various roles that have enriched my understanding of our institution’s multifaceted needs. My strengths include strong communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to continuous improvement. I am passionate about creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture, which aligns with CASI’s vision of a welcoming and empowering environment for all staff members. I am motivated to serve on CASI again because I believe in the committee’s mission to advise the Dean on policies and procedures that impact our staff. My previous term on CASI has equipped me with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within our school. I am committed to advocating for policies that promote staff engagement, inclusion, and recognition. My goal is to ensure that all staff members feel valued and empowered to contribute to SMPH’s success. As someone with a diverse background, I bring a unique perspective to CASI. My experiences in various roles, combined with my commitment to diversity and inclusion, enable me to offer valuable insights into the needs of our staff. I am dedicated to representing the interests of all staff members, including academic, university, and CHS/CT faculty, and to fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect. In conclusion, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve on CASI once more. I am confident that my background, experience, and dedication to SMPH’s mission will allow me to make meaningful contributions to the committee’s work. I look forward to the possibility of continuing to support and advocate for our staff in the next term.

Savannah Brakefield, Research Services Manager, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

With over 3 years of experience in my current role at SMPH, I have honed expertise in contract and grant administration, research management, and policy development. These experiences have provided me with a deep understanding of the structural and operational needs within our community and cultivated my commitment to serving SMPH and our greater Madison community. As an LGBTQ+ woman with a background in public health, I bring a distinct perspective that aligns with CASI’s mission of cultivating a welcoming and supportive environment for all staff and faculty. Throughout my career, I’ve dedicated myself to initiatives that uplift community health and improve access to resources, including running a small non-profit that redistributes unused scientific equipment to underserved STEM classrooms. This work embodies my values of equity, resourcefulness, and community empowerment, and I’m eager to bring this commitment to the CASI. SMPH staff play an essential role in fulfilling our school’s mission through research, teaching, administration, and community outreach, and I see CASI as an opportunity to help ensure that each of us is recognized, supported, and engaged. My interest in joining CASI stems from a desire to stay informed and actively contribute to shaping policies that reflect our diverse needs. I am particularly interested in fostering an environment where our staff feel empowered to grow professionally and where equity is at the forefront of our decision-making. Leveraging my background, I hope to make meaningful contributions to SMPH policies that support staff inclusion, recognition, and career development. Thank you for considering my nomination; I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to CASI’s impactful work in representing and advancing our community.

Jason Brant, Visiting Associate Professor, Surgery - Otorhinolaryngology

I am a surgeon-scientist trained in otolaryngology with a subspecialty in otology, neurotology, and lateral skull base surgery. After completing my training at the University of Pennsylvania I stayed on becoming an Assistant Professor in 2017 and remained there until I joined the University of Wisconsin as Visiting Associate Professor in August, 2024. During my time in Philadelphia, I developed a funded research program in hearing rehabilitation, led departmental clinical research efforts as Director of Clinical and Translational Research, and served as the Program Director for the Fellowship in Otology, Neurotology, and Lateral Skull Base Surgery. In those positions I interacted with people in a wide variety of roles - spanning education, administration, research, clinical, and leadership - and from a broad diversity of backgrounds. These interactions made me appreciate not only the unique aspects of each person and role, but also the common threads that united them into a multifaceted team working to advance the mission of the University as a whole. Although my time at the University of Wisconsin has been short, I am eager to contribute and become more involved. My experience in program development, leadership, and cross-disciplinary collaboration will allow me to meaningfully contribute to the Committee on Academic Staff Issues. Serving on the committee would also allow me to more fully appreciate and engage with the diverse community that defines our university. Thank you for considering my nomination, I look forward to the opportunity to advocate for a welcoming and inclusive workplace four our faculty.

Sara Brask, Director of Career Advising, Student Services - Academic Affairs

After joining the SMPH team in January 2023, I have been acclimating to the MD program and my role as the Director of Career Advising. Within my role, I have developed strong relationships with students, staff, and faculty located in Madison and at all 4 statewide campuses for the MD program, including staff and faculty in each specialty department that holds a residency program. As I look to the third year in my position, I am hoping to expand my network beyond the MD program and become better connected to the greater SMPH community. My Top 5 for Strengths Quest are: Responsibility, Communication, Include, Harmony, and Relator. I believe these natural skills will be well suited for the CASI group. My responsibility and communication will allow me to show up, respond, and meet my commitments to the committee. My Includer and harmony will aid me in reaching out to others and including perspectives beyond my own in decision making. My relator will allow me to be interested in, and if needed be a voice of, the concerns of others - especially the staff represented by this group. As a first-gen, low-income student I understand the need for mentorship, resources, and representation. As a newer-to-SMPH member, I can bring an informed, but fresh set of eyes to the processes and experiences encountered by academic staff at SMPH. My former work on campus, positioned in university housing for undergraduate students, has made me aware of the many resources available on campus for students and faculty/staff. I have found this previous knowledge to be helpful in ways I could not have predicted before beginning my position at SMPH. I have no doubt this will continue to be of assistance on the committee with time. I love data, working with others, and feeling like the work I do is making a difference. I hope you will allow me to join the CASI group so I might have an impact on our school and expand my perspective beyond my everyday experiences in the world of MD career advising. Thank you!

Katie Butzen, Academic Application Administrator, Informatics and Information Technology - Education and Training Technology

Katie Butzen is an exceptional candidate for the Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI) at the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH). Her extensive experience, dedication to inclusivity, and proven leadership make her an ideal fit for this committee. In her current role as an Application Administrator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Medicine and Public Health, Katie manages complex systems and interfaces with a diverse range of stakeholders. Her responsibilities include critical consideration of software architecture for the Medical Education curriculum, engaging with stakeholders to understand their needs and develop best practices, and continuously assessing software features for optimization. This experience demonstrates her capability to contribute to the formulation and review of policies and procedures, ensuring they are effective and user-friendly. Previously, Katie served in the Nutritional Sciences Department, where she wore many hats. She worked in undergraduate and graduate student advising, coordinated the National Institute of Health T32 Grant for the Metabolism and Nutrition Training Program through two submissions, and managed general curriculum duties, human resources responsibilities, and program/course proposals. This diverse background gives her a deep understanding of the responsibilities academic staff manage, enabling her to advocate for positive changes. Katie’s dedication to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion is evident through her participation in various committees. She was a founding member of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee in Nutritional Sciences, where she worked to promote a welcoming and inclusive environment. She ensured guest speakers included a diverse range of scientists and social activists and encouraged and supported graduate participation in shared governance. Katie’s approach to her work is centered on fostering strong relationships and creating a supportive environment for both students and colleagues. She is passionate about education, student support, and program management. Katie is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and colleagues, continuously striving to improve processes and outcomes through innovation and collaboration. In conclusion, Katie Butzen’s extensive experience, dedication to inclusivity, and proven leadership make her an ideal candidate for the Committee on Academic Staff Issues (CASI).

Cheyenne Carder, Administrative Assistant, Medical History and Bioethics

I am excited to express my interest in joining SMPH CASI. As the Administrative Assistant for the Department of Medical History and Bioethics. I work with faculty, staff, and students on various administrative tasks in my current role. I also support the Body Donor Program Oversight Committee and the Collective for Humanism, Arts, and Storytelling in Medicine (CHASM) on various administrative needs. I am going into my second year of working at the university and in SMPH. I have enjoyed learning about the role UW-Madison and SMPH have in our community and statewide. I am eager to grow my skills and further my involvement within the university. Joining this committee would provide me with a platform to contribute to meaningful discussions and initiatives that impact staff and, by extension, the broader community. I believe my insights and experiences could be valuable in advocating for staff concerns and enhancing the collaborative culture at UW-Madison.

Sue Carlson, Department Administrator II, Biostatistics and Medical Informatics

I've been an academic/limited staff member off and on since 1991, when I acted in a temporary role as the administrator for the Review of the Biological Sciences committee, after which I served in research administration roles until 2004, when I moved to the non-profit WiCell Research Institute to be the business manager. I went out on my own when I left WiCell, doing biotech consullting and writing textbooks for online schools. I returned to the UW as department administrator for the Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics in 2016 and have been in that role since. I served as a representative on the Academic Staff Assembly for several years, and continue to serve as an alternate for my district. Employee engagement in governance is important, and I've seen the benefit of participating in these activities for myself and for others. Employees who have their voices heard are more likely to be engaged and remain in their positions over time. They will also contribute to a positive, accepting, and supportive work environment for those around them. As for me, I'm curious and interested in learning from others, and love to engage in conversations where I can both learn and offer my thoughts. I'm a strong believer that everyone makes an important contribution to the whole, regardless of their perceived rank. Participating in the CASI would provide me an opportunity to engage in these conversations Participating in the CASI would benefit me and I hope benefit the school's academic staff members because of the perspective I bring as a department administrator and my experience in the university as well as in non-profit leadership, and as a self-employed person. It would be an honor to participate in the CASI and contribute to the experience of the academic staff in the School of Medicine and Public Health.

Randi Cartmill, Researcher III, Surgery

In the eight years that I have been on the CASI (including four years as chair), I have seen the committee make remarkable progress toward goals that are important to me: (1) representing all staff members of SMPH community – including CT/ CHS faculty and university staff, (2) developing relationships with SMPH leadership and giving feedback on policies affecting staff, and (3) identifying and addressing internal issues so that the committee can thrive long-term. I am actually a bit amazed by the progress we have made in many of these areas, and I’m glad to have been a part of it. All of this has meant the CASI has gone through some big changes recently. For example, the committee has expanded from 8 to 12 voting members in order to better represent the size and diversity of staff in SMPH. Also, after bringing CHS/CT faculty and university staff officially into the CASI, the committee has new constituencies to connect with and consider. Finally, after moving to a more sustainable leadership structure with three elected leaders who rotate through leadership positions, there are more frequent leadership transitions and potential loss of expertise and knowledge. I’m glad to see CASI’s new leadership structure be fully implemented, even though that means I will be rotating out of leadership at the end of this year. I would like to continue as a CASI member to provide continuity and support during this time of transition. I would also continue to plan and coordinate the virtual All Staff Forums, where answers to staff questions are presented by human resources and other SMPH leaders. The Forums have been popular, with an average of 800- 900 staff watching them live or as recordings. Prior to my time on the CASI, I was a member of the Committee for Women in the University for six years. I studied racial, ethnic and gender inequality in graduate school, and I have since then been working to educate myself in order to become a better ally to BIPOC friends and colleagues. In my personal life, I am close to several LGBTQIA+ young people and I am striving to be an effective ally to them.

Bobbie Coons, Student Affairs Manager, Academic Affairs

I have been with the School of Medicine and Public Health since the summer of 2023, working with the MD, DPT, MPAS, MGCS, and MPH programs regarding student support services. Prior to my service here with the SMPH, I worked in higher education for more than 20 years. During my career I have been involved in shared governance serving on a wide variety of committees, many of which I chaired. I have a unique role here working with the five programs, and l look forward to bringing this knowledge and experiences with me as a member of CASI. I am a huge proponent of our responsibility to engage with each other and our institution to create and maintain a healthy working environment. Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy.

Carol Creager, Epidemiologist, Department of Population Health Sciences

I am delighted to nominate Carol Creager to serve on the SMPH CASI delegation. Carol is an epidemiologist in the Merten Research Lab in the Department of Population Health Sciences. In 2023, Carol graduated with a master's degree in epidemiology from our program. Carol is hard-working and approachable and has unique insight as a university staffer and former student to understand the nuances of working within our department and how it translates to SMPH.

Veena Nair, Scientist III, Radiology

I started at UW Maison in the fall of 2008 as a postdoc and have had a fairly successful track record in terms of publications and grants. I am currently a principal investigator on a NIH grant. This grant and through my work on various other collaborative multi-disciplinary projects I have gained valuable experience in data and personnel management. I would now like to use some of these skills to help facilitate discussions between staff and SMPH leadership and ensure that we continue to work in a collaborative environment. Thank you for considering.

Ronald Ravel, Director, Financial Services, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health

I have worked with Ron for years - initially when he was with RSP and then when he was with the Department of Medicine and now at the DFMCH. Ron really cares about his staff colleagues and is always willing to advocate for them to leadership when necessary. He has a special interest in ageism in the workplace and how it plays out in opportunities/compensation matters. He is well versed in the campus and SMPH financial realms and is willing to share his fiscal expertise. He is also a genuinely nice person and a great collaborator. For these reasons and many more, I am nominating him for CASI.

Annie Rosemurgy, Narrative Coordinator, Population Health Institute (MATCH, PHIG)

As the Narrative Coordinator at UWPHI I work explicitly on creating a vision for an equitable, healthy, just future for Wisconsin. Since joining the team in 2021 I have been developing narrative work both within SMPH and working at DHS with external partners, which I feel gives me a broad understanding of what we need to create a strong SMPH that is accountable not only to the people we serve but also the people who build it from within.

Kris Schroeder, Professor (CHS), Anesthesiology

Throughout my career at UWSMPH, I have consistently prioritized academic and career development for healthcare professionals at all levels. I recognize the importance of mentorship and career support, both as a recipient and as a mentor to others. My experiences have taught me that creating inclusive and empowering environments is essential to fostering professional growth, an ethos I see reflected in CASI’s vision of a positive, welcoming culture. I began my career at UW as the inaugural fellow in regional anesthesiology and acute pain medicine and have since ascended to the role of Division Chief of Regional Anesthesiology and Acute Pain Medicine. During my tenure, our faculty not only enhanced their clinical impact but also achieved substantial academic success and career advancement. Recognizing the value of this growth, I was honored to step into the role of Vice Chair of Faculty Development within the Department of Anesthesiology, where I have focused on creating pathways for faculty advancement. Furthermore, I have recently served as the Chair of the UWSMPH CHS Promotions Committee. This role has granted me insight into the promotion process and the impact of career progression on faculty and staff morale. I am committed to leveraging these experiences to support CASI’s goals, ensuring that all staff have the resources and support needed to reach their full potential. In addition to my responsibilities at UWSMPH, I actively participate in national organizations that promote early-career mentorship and professional development. As Chair of the Committee on Education and Scientific Exhibits for the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), I facilitate opportunities for learners and early-career faculty to engage in meaningful professional experiences through the ASA’s annual meeting. I have also held leadership roles within ASRA Pain Medicine, where I helped establish mentorship programs, such as the highly regarded Mentor Match program. I am currently pursuing an MS in Organizational Leadership at Johns Hopkins University, an endeavor that reflects my dedication to continuous improvement and leadership growth. I believe that this program will further equip me to contribute to CASI’s mission, particularly in areas of organizational strategy and staff advocacy. As someone who has experienced the transformative power of mentorship and career development, I am eager to bring my expertise to CASI to support the well-being and advancement of our staff.

Justin Sena, Undergraduate Medical Education Program Manager, Department of Pediatrics

I am the Undergraduate Medical Education Program Manager in the Department of Pediatrics. Prior to this role, I served as the Graduate Medical Education Coordinator Supervisor for the Madison Family Medicine Residency Program since 2016. I am passionate about serving my colleagues and creating an environment in which all can learn and thrive. I am also committed to the principles of shared governance and bringing the voice of staff to the spaces in which decisions are made. I have served as a member of the Academic Staff Mentoring Committee since 2019. I believe that staff mentorship is one key to building a positive culture in the University and creating a sense of belonging and professionalism among staff. I have also served as an ASA District Representative. At the department-level, I served on various committees including the Staff Recruitment and Retention Committee and the Awards Committee in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. I am committed to creating welcoming environments for all staff, learners, and faculty, celebrating successes, and equipping people to achieve their goals. I am committed to finding structural solutions to structural problems and working with committees to draft policies that create a better SMPH. One of my goals for serving on the SMPH CASI is to advocate for the needs of academic staff and provide open communication between staff and school leadership. I aim to uplift the voices of those who have not been heard.

Maddie Sychta, Academic Planner II, Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology and Graduate Studies

I've worked as an academic planner in the Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology, and Graduate Studies for a little more than 2 years. Most of my work involves the basic science graduate programs (PhD, MS) and Capstone certificates. I also support academic planning related to centers/institutes and other structural changes to the SMPH (change the name of a department, create a new course subject listing, etc.) I facilitate program and center/institute review and I work with a lot of university/Graduate School policy. I am very familiar with academic governance on campus and I'm interested in expanding that knowledge to staff participation. I'd like to expand my knowledge of and network in the SMPH as well.

Everett Trechter, Data Scientist II / Analytics Strategist, County Health Rankings and Roadmaps/UWPHI

I am interested in serving on the CASI because I would like to increase the sense of ownership of SMPH policy by SMPH staff. While I have a largely technical role within County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, my professional goals include working across departments and units to help build solidarity and communication channels between staff. I started at SMPH in CHR&R in 2021 as an evaluator and have worked on projects that deal with change management, program policies, and workplace culture. I am currently our Analytics Strategist, but I am also serving on our Health Equity Capacity Building work group designing and implementing policies that will make us a more inclusive, equitable, and welcoming workplace. These and other projects have impressed on me the value of building a shared workplace identity and culture that staff have a real stake in. As a trans, queer, Jewish man I also bring personal experience and expertise around what makes a community welcoming (or not). I am the chair of the DEI committee at Congregation Shaarei Shamayim and the co-chair of the marketing committee of Perfect Harmony Chorus, Madison's LGBTQ+ Tenor/Bass choir. While both of these organizations have core values of inclusivity and welcoming, they have also had to wrestle with ways they have failed to live up to those values and find ways to grow. No organization is perfect, but I believe that by taking the time and effort to recognize everyone's humanity in the midst of red tape and institutional inertia, we can always do better. I would be honored to continue this work with the SMPH CASI.

Paul Westerman, Medical Education Coordinator, Department of Medicine

As a current member of CASI I have had the privilege of representing Staff at SMPH for the past year. I very much hope to return to CASI in order to assist with the completion of work our team has undertaken. Recognizing stellar Staff through the “Staff Spotlight” series, assisting the process of replacing Dean Golden, undertaking new process improvement projects, are all undertakings that I hope to complete in a second tenure serving on CASI. My current role at SMPH is the Assistant Program Coordinator for Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship Programs. My responsibilities include ensuring accreditation standards are met through faculty cardiology conference offerings to fellows. I have been afforded the opportunity of knowing the importance of Staff having the ability to contribute their thoughts, opinions, and suggestions for the successful operation of the University of Wisconsin. I hope to have the privilege of returning to CASI to serve the needs and interests of Staff at SMPH. There is still so much more to be done!