UW Health

“My patients have taught me that nothing is permanent. Whether it is a difficult situation or one of joy and happiness, every day is a new day, and every day is a chance to start fresh,” says pediatric pain nurse practitioner Anne Hoeft. As a member of the palliative care team, Anne addresses symptom management and goals of care in patients with complex or life limiting medical conditions. This collaborative effort has benefited not only the palliative care team, but also helps ease the burdens of patients and families. Originally from Green Bay, Anne and her family like spending time up north at their cottage, traveling to Florida to visit family, and skiing when there is enough snow in the winter.

Join us for the 2025 UW Sports Medicine Symposium, presented by UW Health Sports Medicine and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Interprofessional Continuing Education Partnership. Stay informed on the latest developments in concussion management, research, rehabilitation techniques, support for neurodiverse athletes, biologic treatments and cartilage preservation methods.

For 29 years, Dr. Gregory DeMuri has been a trusted pediatrician and infectious disease expert at UW Health, advancing care through research and compassionate leadership. His work, including pandemic guidance and infection prevention, has shaped safer, effective care for children. His exceptional contributions earned him the 2024 Physician Excellence Award for Clinical Practice.

Be one of the first 500 guests to receive a free thermal tote, explore 20+ interactive displays, take behind-the-scenes lab tours and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Breast Cancer Research Advisory Network with cake and Babcock ice cream. Plus, meet Bucky Badger!

We're excited to share that we are expanding our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at American Family Children's Hospital! On average, about 60% of our current PICU beds are filled by children receiving cardiac care. The expansion will include a dedicated cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) to meet the increasing demand for highly specialized heart procedures and care. When the hospital was built, we planned for future growth by reserving an empty floor, which will be transformed into the new PICU and CICU over the next two years.

Do you have questions about how nutrition affects cancer prevention, treatment or recovery? On Wednesday, 3/12, RDNs Lizzie Kasparek and Molly Roberge will be taking over our Instagram instagram.com/uw_health and answering your questions related to nutrition and cancer. Leave a comment or send us a private message for expert answers from our specialized registered dietitian nutritionists.

A great meeting of the minds recently with Matt LaFleur, head coach of the Green Bay Packers and Dr. Christian Capitini, acting director of UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center. We are grateful to Coach and his wife Bre for their support of the Garding Against Cancer initiative, focused on innovative research and patient care across Wisconsin.

Forty-six days after River was admitted to American Family Children’s Hospital, he went home with a hero’s sendoff from the 263 people who helped during his recovery. “All of his nurses and techs and physical and occupational therapists and speech therapists and case managers and social workers and physicians and residents and students...everybody was rooting for River,” says Dr. Adam Brinkman, medical director of pediatric trauma care.

Valerie Goldberg is fascinated by the brain, which has made her a perfect fit for the Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit and Stroke and Rapid Response Teams at UW Health. When working closely with people that have strokes or brain injuries, she realized how complex and amazing the human brain is. Valerie also appreciates being a champion for her patients. “Those with strokes may not always be able to advocate for themselves or have someone who can advocate for them (or even know what to ask). To be that person who can help make a difference in a patient's life is truly very rewarding. Nothing comes close to knowing that you helped someone and their family during one of the scariest moments of their lives.” If you think you are having stroke symptoms, please seek help immediately by calling 911. The longer a stroke goes untreated the worse and more permanent those symptoms can become. Time truly is brain!

Samantha Tran has always been drawn to health care because of her passion for helping others, especially underserved communities. Becoming a nursing assistant (NA) allows her to gain hands-on experience in health care while also deepening her understanding of health in general. Through the UW Health Nursing Assistant Apprenticeship Program, she gained valuable clinical skills, including patient mobility assistance, vital sign monitoring, and understanding patient needs in a fast-paced hospital environment. She says, “I learned how to communicate with patients from diverse backgrounds, manage time effectively during shifts, and work as part of a health care team to provide quality care.” Now, working on the General Internal Medicine unit, she has a direct impact on patients' daily experiences. Samantha says, “Whether it’s helping someone feel comfortable, listening to their concerns, or assisting with their recovery, I know my work makes a difference. Seeing gratitude from patients and knowing I’ve contributed to their care keeps me motivated, even during challenging shifts.” Samantha’s goal is to become a pediatric dermatologist. Her experience as an NA has reinforced her passion for patient care, particularly in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds. She is interested in global health and preventative care and hopes to integrate those aspects into her future medical practice. If you’d like to start your career in health care, consider the Nursing Assistant (NA) Apprenticeship Program. It is designed for current UW Health employees and external applicants. You receive pay while in the program. Applications will open March 24. Visit https://ow.ly/BxGM50V1jYe to learn more.