Each year, the Division of General Internal Medicine recognizes division members with awards for excellence in clinical care, leadership, or professionalism. Honorees for 2017 are (pictured at right in order from top to bottom):

Peter Idsvoog, MD, clinical associate professor. Dr. Idsvoog received the Faculty Excellence in Clinical Care Award. After initial training in pharmacy and earning an master's degree in hospital pharmacy, Dr. Idsvoog earned his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UW SMPH) and conducted his residency training in internal medicine at UW Hospital and Clinics. He has been named to the Best Doctors in America® List multiple times.

Laura Zakowski, MD, professor (CHS). Dr. Zakowski received the Faculty Excellence in Professionalism Award. A graduate of UW SMPH, Dr. Zakowski completed her residency and chief residency at Oregon Health Sciences University, then returned to UW-Madison. As associate vice chair for undergraduate medical education in UW SMPH, her dual focus is medical education and clinical care. Dr. Zakowski leads the Internal Medicine Clerkship program and serves as Integrated Block Leader for Acute Care at UW SMPH. 

Jason Dambach, MD, clinical assistant professor. Dr. Dambach received the Faculty Excellence in Leadership Award. He earned his medical degree at St. George's University School of Medicine in Grenada and completed his residency in internal medicine a St. Joseph Mercy Oakland in Pontiac, Michigan. Dr. Dambach serves as Primary Care Lead Physician for Project CORE, an eConsult/eReferral project. He has also served in several leadership roles in medical informatics, including Group Leader for the Microsystems Team and Primary Care Lead Physician for the WITS Image Mover Project, as well as Primary Care Content Consultant for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Project Core.

Karen Griffin, PA-C, physician assistant. Ms. Griffin received the Advanced Practice Clinician Excellence Award. She practices at the UW Health Clinic in Stoughton, Wisconsin, where she treats patients with acute and chronic problems, assists with hospital rounds, performs admission histories, conducts physicals and prepares discharge summaries, and takes on-call responsibilities.