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.

30th Annual Summer Research Forum

Last week, the 30th Annual Summer Research Forum was held at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. It featured an array of student research presentations that spanned various critical areas in medicine and health sciences. The forum highlighted innovative studies, from cancer treatment advancements and pediatric surgery to the role of the gut microbiome in health and new approaches to improving patient education.

The Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence proudly supports projects like these, which are dedicated to advancing the physician-patient relationship. These research efforts reflect the BICE's commitment to fostering excellence in clinical care and ensuring that patient-centered approaches remain at the heart of medical practice.

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.

Bucksbaum Pilot Grant Research Spotlight

Be sure to check out our news series highlighting the wonderful work our scholars and their colleagues are doing to improve the doctor-patient relationship through funding from the Bucksbaum Institute Pilot Grant Program! Each week, this series will highlight one of the many research projects that support our Institute's goals of improving the physician-patient relationship.

Dr. Dee Fenner Announced as Recipient of Inaugural Bucksbaum Clinical Excellence Award

We are proud to announce that Dr. Dee Fenner, Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan, has been named as the inaugural recipient of the Bucksbaum Award for Clinical Excellence. This award, presented by the Bucksbaum Institute, recognizes her outstanding commitment to clinical excellence, the doctor-patient relationship, mentorship, reducing health disparities, and scholarly research. Dr. Fenner's noteworthy contributions in female pelvic floor dysfunction and medical education, extensive research, and leadership roles in professional organizations underscore her exceptional achievements. Please Join us in congratulating Dr. Fenner!

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.