The University of Wisconsin Department of Medicine is on the forefront of new and better ways to treat disease and promote wellness.
Your generous gift will help advance research initiatives that improve lives, and help us train the next generation of physicians to provide outstanding, compassionate patient care.

Giving Opportunities
Gifts to programs within the UW Department of Medicine may be made through our philanthropic entity, the University of Wisconsin Foundation. Your gift is fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
To help advance the greatest needs of the department, consider making an online gift to the Department of Medicine Strategic Initiatives Fund.
To support research and education in areas that matter most to you, explore the funds below.
- Aging, Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia
The Science of Aging Fund advances education and research in management of age-related conditions and diseases related to advanced age: Alzheimer's disease, transitional care, metabolism of aging, and dysphagia (swallowing).
Make an online gift to the Science of Aging Fund.
- Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
The Allergy and Immunology Research and Education Fund advances research and education in allergy, asthma, and immune deficiency disorders.
Make an online gift to the Allergy and Immunology Research and Education Fund.
- Cancer, Blood Diseases and Palliative Care
The Excellence in Hematology/Oncology Fund advances research and education in oncology (cancer), hematology (blood diseases), and palliative care (supportive care): chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy, and targeted therapy; and acute and chronic leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma, and bone marrow diseases.
Make an online gift to the Excellence in Hematology/Oncology Fund.
- Diabetes and Endocrinology
The Excellence in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fund advances research and education in diabetes, obesity and endocrine disorders.
Make an online gift to the Excellence in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Fund.
- Heart Disease
The Excellence in Cardiovascular Medicine Fund advances research and education in cardiovascular medicine: heart disease, arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), heart and blood vessel biology, heart imaging, and heart failure.
Make an online gift to the Excellence in Cardiovascular Medicine Fund.
- Infectious Disease
The Infectious Disease Fund for the Department of Medicine advances research and education in infectious diseases: transplant infectious disease, critical care and surgical infectious disease, HIV, hepatitis C, home infusion therapy, mycology, global health, travel medicine, antibiotic resistance, and COVID-19.
Make an online gift to the Infectious Disease Fund for the Department of Medicine.
- Kidney Disease
The Nephrology Fund for Excellence advances research and education in kidney disease: diabetes, high blood pressure, polycystic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, and kidney transplant.
Make an online gift to the Nephrology Fund for Excellence.
- Liver and Digestive Disease
The UW Liver and Digestive Disease Center Fund Advances research and education in diseases of the stomach, intestines, and liver: small intestine malabsorption, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, disordered swallowing, irritable bowel syndrome, viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and liver transplant.
Make an online gift to the UW Liver and Digestive Disease Center Fund.
- Lung Disease
The Pulmonary Research and Education Fund advances research and education in diseases of the lungs: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis, sleep disorders, interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, lung transplantation, infectious diseases of the lungs, and pulmonary vascular disease.
Make an online gift to the Pulmonary Research and Education Fund.
- Primary Care
The General Internal Medicine Greatest Needs Fund advances research and programs in primary care and general internal medicine: smoking cessation, health disparities research, care of underserved rural and urban populations, sleep apnea and hypertension, women's health, preventive medicine, psychosocial aspects of health care, and HIV care.
Make an online gift to the General Internal Medicine Greatest Needs Fund.
- Resident Education
The Internal Medicine Residency Program Endowment Fund in Honor of Bennett Vogelman advances the greatest needs of the internal medicine residency program. Named after Dr. Bennett Vogelman, the long-time program director who retired in 2020.
Make an online gift to the Internal Medicine Residency Program Endowment Fund in Honor of Bennett Vogelman.
- Rheumatology
The Rheumatology Fund for Excellence advances research and education in muscle, bone, ligament, and tendon diseases: autoimmune disorders, fibromyalgia, lupus erythematosus, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Make an online gift to the Rheumatology Fund for Excellence.
Make a Gift by Mail
To mail a gift, please print the gift form (download gift form PDF), complete, and mail it with your check made payable to the University of Wisconsin Foundation to the address below:
University of Wisconsin Foundation
U.S. Bank Lockbox 78807
Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807

How Gifts Make a Difference
- A Grateful Patient Establishes a New Endowed Professorship
Jeff and Lynn Bakiares’ remarkable relationship with Didier Mandelbrot, MD, professor, Nephrology—and their overwhelmingly positive experiences with the UW Health kidney transplant program—resulted in the creation of a new endowed professorship.
Thanks to a generous gift from Jeff and Lynn Bakiares through the Virginia Lee Cook Foundation, and matching funds from this year’s Morgridge Match, Dr. Mandelbrot now holds the Virginia Lee Cook Professorship in Transplant Nephrology.
The professorship supports Dr. Mandelbrot’s scholarly work in transplant medicine, including research on new methods for immunosuppression, treatments for post-transplant viral infections, and living donation for kidney transplantation.
- A Professor Develops a Program to Support Emerging Research
Every research discovery starts somewhere.
In the world of biomedical research, pilot projects are an essential first step in advancing new knowledge. They give investigators an opportunity to gather preliminary data and explore creative ideas that may lead to more robust grant support—and ultimately, outcomes that improve human health.
When David Andes, MD, professor and division chief, Infectious Disease, was named the inaugural Dr. William A. Craig Endowed Professor, he used funds from that professorship to create a program that supports those types of pilot projects.
Three faculty from the UW Department of Medicine’s Division of Infectious Disease were the first to receive William A. Craig Research Awards.
The awards provided up to $50,000 of “seed funding” for projects that focus on important clinical issues in infectious disease, demonstrate innovation and future impact, and are likely to lead to larger grants in the future.
- A Family Creates a Fund to Encourage Community Service Projects
Throughout medicine, but especially in primary care, physicians recognize that social and community factors are often the strongest influencers of health. And often, underserved populations—those who experience cultural, linguistic, economic or physical barriers to care—need additional resources beyond the clinic walls to live healthy lives.
The Sheehy Family Fund for Medical Residents helps uphold medicine’s core calling of service to humanity, and encourages internal medicine residents to engage in community service
Philanthropic supporters of the fund include Ann Sheehy, MD, MS, associate professor and division chief, Hospital Medicine, and her parents, Gregory Sheehy, MD, and Barbara Sheehy. Dr. Gregory Sheehy is a retired internist and former General Internal Medicine faculty member.
The fund provides annual awards of $1,000 to internal medicine residents to carry out community service projects of their choosing.
Continue the Conversation
If you have any questions about making a financial contribution, or would like to discuss a planned gift, a tribute or memorial gift, or a named fund for the Department of Medicine, please contact:

Pete Schmeling, CFRE
