Dr. Stefan Kertesz Named 2025 Bucksbaum-Siegler Clinical Excellence Award Honoree

The Bucksbaum-Siegler Institute for Clinical Excellence is pleased to recognize Dr. Stefan G. Kertesz for his dedication to compassionate care and the doctor-patient relationship. A physician-investigator and professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dr. Kertesz has spent his career improving health care for underserved populations, particularly individuals experiencing homelessness and those with chronic pain and disability. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Kertesz as the 2025 Clinical Excellence Award Honoree!

Bucksbaum-Siegler Institute Hosts Bowling Night for Clinical Excellence Scholars

The Bucksbaum-Siegler Institute for Clinical Excellence hosted a bowling night at Seven Ten Social in Hyde Park, bringing together UChicago physicians and students from the Clinical Excellence Scholars Track (CEST) to foster mentorship and community. Events like this highlight the Institute’s commitment to strengthening doctor-patient relationships and supporting future leaders in compassionate clinical care.

Bucksbaum Institute Name Change Honors our Founding Director

Dr. Mark Siegler served as the Executive Director of the Bucksbaum Institute from its founding in 2011 until his retirement from the University of Chicago in June of 2024. To honor the long-standing service of Dr. Siegler, and the work and success of the Institute under his leadership, the Bucksbaum family shared their desire and intention to change the name of the Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence to the Bucksbaum-Siegler Institute for Clinical Excellence. Along with changing the name of the Institute to honor Dr. Siegler, the Bucksbaum family also put forward a new tagline which succinctly conveys the goal of the Bucksbaum-Siegler Institute for Clinical Excellence: “Improving the patient-physician relationship through teaching and research.”
We are eager to continue honoring the Bucksbaum family and Dr. Mark Siegler through the patient- and physician-centered initiatives of the Bucksbaum-Siegler Institute for Clinical Excellence.

Senior Bucksbaum Scholar Named Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine at UChicago Medicine

The Bucksbaum Institute is pleased to announce that another Senior Scholar of our Institute has been appointed to a leadership role at UChicago Medicine! Dr. Jennifer Moriatis Wolf has been named Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine. A renowned orthopaedic hand surgeon, Dr. Wolf has been a Bucksbaum Scholar since 2018 and has been with the faculty since 2016, serving as Vice Chair of Faculty Development and Diversity and Surgical Director at the Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine (DCAM).

Her clinical and research interests include osteoarthritis treatment and bone trauma, with numerous grants from the Department of Defense and NIH. Dr. Wolf holds a medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania, completed advanced training at Brown University and Mayo Clinic, and earned a PhD from Lund University in Sweden.

She succeeds Dr. Tessa Balach, who has significantly expanded the department's capabilities during her interim tenure. Dr. Wolf aims to continue this growth across the Chicago area. Congratulations to Dr. Wolf!

Senior Bucksbaum Scholar Appointed Associate Dean for Translational Research at UChicago

We are thrilled to announce that Bucksbaum Senior Scholar, David Meltzer, MD, PhD, has been appointed Associate Dean for Clinical Science Research, Translational, for the Biological Sciences Division and the Pritzker School of Medicine.

In this new role, Dr. Meltzer will play a pivotal part in shaping the division’s strategy for advancing translational research aimed at improving patient care and community health. He brings a wealth of experience as the Fanny L. Pritzker Professor and Chief of the Section of Hospital Medicine, with a strong background in health economics, public policy, and health systems research.

Dr. Meltzer’s appointment underscores UChicago’s commitment to patient-centered research and congruence with the mission of The Bucksbaum Institute. As Dr. Meltzer steps into this role, we look forward to his continued contributions to the University’s translational research endeavors and continuing as an exemplar for The Bucksbaum Institute.

BICE Executive Director, Dr. Mark Siegler Retires, Leaving a Lasting Legacy at the Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence

With his retirement last month, Dr. Mark Siegler leaves an indelible mark on the Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence, which he has thoughtfully led since its establishment in 2011. Under his visionary leadership as the founding Executive Director, the Institute has flourished in its mission to improve patient care, strengthen the doctor-patient relationship, and reduce healthcare disparities. His extensive 50+ year experience as a physician and profound insights have guided the institute’s research and education programs, greatly enhancing communication and decision-making in healthcare at UChicago. Dr. Siegler’s unwavering dedication has helped shape a generation of medical students, junior faculty, and master clinicians, ensuring that the principles of clinical excellence and ethical practice remain at the forefront of medicine. His mentorship and contributions have significantly advanced the institute’s goals, leaving a legacy of excellence and compassion that will continue to inspire and guide the healthcare community both here at UChicago and on a national level.

The Clinical Excellence Podcast

Please join Dr. Adam Cifu and Dr. Matt Sorrentino for a deep dive into critical concepts and components of the doctor-patient relationship, all in an effort to improve clinical care.
New episodes of the Clinical Excellence Podcast are uploaded every other Tuesday. Listen now!

The Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence

The Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence was created to improve patient care; to strengthen the doctor-patient relationship; to enhance communication and decision-making in health care through research and education programs for medical students, junior faculty, and master clinicians; and to reduce health care disparities.