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When Emelle Holmes-Drammeh was in fifth grade, she would read encyclopedias from cover to cover, fascinated with the human body and how it worked. Now as a physician assistant (PA) in obstetrics and gynecology, she enjoys advocating for all patients through the complexities of the healthcare system. She’s also a PA preceptor, leading OB skills labs and she serves on 2 diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committees, one for PAs and the other for OB-GYN. Emelle is proud of the work UW Health is doing with DEI in dismantling healthcare disparities and racism. “We are doing important work but we need to do more. We all need to take a step back and really check ourselves for those biases that we do not even recognize we have. We have to check them at the door of every patient’s room and give them the same level of care that we would want our own family members to receive.”
When Emelle Holmes-Drammeh was in fifth grade, she would read encyclopedias from cover to cover, fascinated with the human body and how it worked. Now as a physician assistant (PA) in obstetrics and gynecology, she enjoys advocating for all patients through the complexities of the healthcare system. She’s also a PA preceptor, leading OB skills labs and she serves on 2 diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) committees, one for PAs and the other for OB-GYN. Emelle is proud of the work UW Health is doing with DEI in dismantling healthcare disparities and racism. “We are doing important work but we need to do more. We all need to take a step back and really check ourselves for those biases that we do not even recognize we have. We have to check them at the door of every patient’s room and give them the same level of care that we would want our own family members to receive.”
Ben Schultz has always been interested in working with babies. He shadowed a neonatologist and NICU nurse in high school and knew that was exactly what he wanted to do for a career. Ben, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, says, it’s rewarding to care for the smallest and sickest of patients. “I can't think of a more rewarding career in which you get to bring a human into this world 3-4 months before they were supposed to arrive and to be able to watch them grow and overcome significant challenges. We ask so much of these infants and watching them get discharged makes it all worth it.” The role of the neonatal nurse practitioner is unique. Ben says, “I am able to use the critical thinking skills I learned as a bedside nurse to manage these medically complex infants. As a neonatal nurse practitioner, we are also able to perform procedures such as intubations, chest tube placements and central line insertions. I work with an incredible interdisciplinary care team who all share a common goal of serving our patients.”
Ben Schultz has always been interested in working with babies. He shadowed a neonatologist and NICU nurse in high school and knew that was exactly what he wanted to do for a career. Ben, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, says, it’s rewarding to care for the smallest and sickest of patients. “I can't think of a more rewarding career in which you get to bring a human into this world 3-4 months before they were supposed to arrive and to be able to watch them grow and overcome significant challenges. We ask so much of these infants and watching them get discharged makes it all worth it.” The role of the neonatal nurse practitioner is unique. Ben says, “I am able to use the critical thinking skills I learned as a bedside nurse to manage these medically complex infants. As a neonatal nurse practitioner, we are also able to perform procedures such as intubations, chest tube placements and central line insertions. I work with an incredible interdisciplinary care team who all share a common goal of serving our patients.”
In 2018 Joe St. Peter had surgery to remove a golf ball-sized tumor from his brain. He spent months in physical therapy to regain mobility. Ultimately the surgery was a success and Joe's scans have been negative for 3 years! With each scan, his family's hope for a normal future grows. So when their 3rd child was born in August, they decided to name her after the neurosurgeon who made it all possible. Meet Sylvie Baskaya Joslin St. Peter.
Grateful patient keeps honor for his surgeon in the family
When Andrew Brown started working in healthcare in culinary services, he immediately knew he wanted to get involved in patient care. He soon became a health unit coordinator, then a nursing assistant and eventually went back to school for nursing and recently graduated from the UW Health Nurse Residency Program. Andrew credits where he is today to the incredible support and encouragement he received along the way.
Andrew Brown Professional Growth at UW Health
Employees are encouraged to grow professionally throughout their career at UW Health. Luke Sticht says he would not be where he is today without the mentors and colleagues he’s encountered throughout his time here. Now, in his new role as Director of Pediatric Nursing, he's using what he learned from his leaders and military service to help his staff succeed.
Luke Sticht Professional Growth at UW Health
Today, UW Health honors medical assistants and the indispensable work they do to care for patients and support their colleagues in health care. Medical assistants work alongside clinicians and health care team members offering a diverse array of care to patients in the clinic setting. “We are really at the roots of the health care system,” said Kelsey Steele, medical assistant, UW Health. “We are often the first person a patient interacts with, and we’re proud of the work we do to support not only our patients but physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses.”
Healthcare Heroes: UW Health celebrates medical assistants
For the 10th consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” ranked University of Wisconsin Hospitals, which includes University Hospital and UW Health at The American Center, as No. 1 in Wisconsin.
University of Wisconsin Hospitals ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin
Dr. Patricia Téllez-Girón is a primary care physician and in her “spare time” she's leading the charge for vaccinating the Latinx community in Dane County.
UW Health doctor helped spur Latinx community vaccinations
As the United States faces a widespread shortage of nurses, UW Health has started an ambulatory nurse residency program aimed to help new nurses begin their first professional nursing job and avoid burn out. This 12-month program began in February 2021 and was designed by UW Health for new nurses who just finished nursing school, placing them in a clinic setting (ambulatory) with a mentor (preceptor) to learn the job in a real-world setting. Additionally, the nurses take two nursing classes a month. It is designed as a supportive steppingstone for new nurses.
Residency program addresses nursing shortage, burn out
Although the pandemic has created uncertainties, our employees have adapted to continual change. They’ve learned how to work through it together so they can be there for our patients – and continue to provide remarkable care each and every day.
Why I'm Proud to Work at UW Health