“When we work together”: a celebration of women collaborating in medicine

Women in Medicine collage

In celebration of the 2026 American Medical Association (AMA) Women in Medicine Month, we asked three female faculty in the University of Wisconsin Department of Medicine (UW DOM) to share stories of peers who led change through collaboration. This is what they said:

Read the full stories below

Supporting pregnant patients with cardiac conditions

The UW Health and UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital Cardio-Obstetrics Clinic launched in October 2025. Less than a year later, it’s fully booked with a waitlist and poised to expand training opportunities for UW fellows interested in cardio-obstetrics.

Dr. Thordsen played a galvanizing role in launching the clinic—but she’s the first to admit she did not do it alone. It’s a story of cross-department collaboration, shared purpose, and individual persistence.

Bringing rheumatologic care to rural areas

In rural communities, patients often face months-long delays and long-distance travel for subspecialty services.

That's why Dr. Bartels led a partnership with Rheumatology colleagues, the Orion Initiative, and family medicine physicians in Richland Center, Wisconsin, to build the STARS-R program: an on-site, hands-on training in skills for managing patients with rheumatologic conditions.

Introducing intestinal ultrasound to Wisconsin

Intestinal ultrasound is a point-of-care imaging tool that allows physicians to assess bowel inflammation in real time, without the need for invasive procedures, radiation exposure, or sedation. 

The first provider in Wisconsin certified in the technology, Dr. Lutz believes strongly in introducing it to more DOM providers through the UW Advanced Training in IBD sub-fellowship.

Banner photo, left to right: Sarah Thordsen, MD, clinical associate professor, and Heather Bartlett, MD, professor, both Cardiovascular Medicine; Christie Bartels, MD, MS, professor and division chief, and Ann Chodara, MD, assistant professor, both Rheumatology; Megan Lutz, MD, and Gabrielle Waclawik, MD, MPH, both assistant professor, Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Matt Mallum, MFA