Mark Deyo-Svendsen, MD, FAAFP

We are excited to welcome four new officers to the 2025 WAFP-Foundation Board, including two Directors and a Resident and Student Director. After their first board meeting earlier this month, these individuals are eager to bring new ideas and a fresh perspective to the foundation. We look forward to their contributions!

Director – Emily Peterson, MD

Emily Peterson, MD was born and raised in Wisconsin, completing her undergraduate, medical school and residency through the University of Wisconsin. Go Bucky!. She currently practices full spectrum family medicine in Beaver Dam, WI where she lives with her husband and 3 children. She is excited to join the WAFP-Foundation Board of Directors to continue to support the amazing work that family physicians do all across Wisconsin.

Director – Michelle Clark-Forsting, MD, FAAFP

Michelle Clark-Forsting, MD, FAAFP is the Chief Physician Executive at Black River Health, Inc., in Black River Falls, WI. She is a practicing family physician with special interest in women's and children's health, preventive care and population health. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Kevin, and has three children ages 13, 11 and 6. Her free time is spent coaching sports of all kinds, taking care of their goats, chickens and sheep and traveling with family.

Resident Director – Jenna Loefer, MD

Jenna Loefer, MD is excited to help provide funding for students and inspire the next generation of Family Medicine physicians, as well as support programs and services intended to improve Family Medicine. Growing up in rural Wisconsin, Dr. Loefer has always been interested in finding unique ways to support families and give back to the community which ultimately led her to this field. Volunteering throughout college and Medical School in many community organizations have inspired her to help improve the lives of those she treats as Family Medicine physicians. In her spare time, Dr. Loefer enjoys spending time outdoors running or riding UTVs with her fiance, and of course spending time with family and friends!

Student Director – Kevin Dunn

Kevin Dunn is a third-year medical student at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health with a strong passion for family medicine and community health. In addition to leadership roles in UWSMPH's family medicine interest group, Kevin has also been an active member of the MEDiC Free Clinic Organization, serving as a Community Resources Coordinator and clinic volunteer. Outside of medicine, he enjoys a variety of sports and spending time outdoors.

Becky Wimmer

April 2025

Spring has Sprung – Will you Spring into Action for the Future of Family Medicine?

Spring is finally in the air and in the spirit of the season’s renewal and growth, I have some exciting new Foundation developments to share.

The WAFP-F board of directors thoughtfully developed an updated mission and vision statement we’re proud to launch. After their considerations and dialogue, they approved our new statements.

Mission: Advancing Family Medicine for everyone in Wisconsin. 

Vision: A Family Physician for everyone

To support the mission and vision, we need your help. There are several Spring giving options for you to consider:

Planned Giving

Join the Family Medicine Legacy Council by including WAFP-Foundation in your estate planning such as leaving a donation in your will (a bequest), a living trust, make WAFP-F a life insurance beneficiary or by making a deferred gift. This is a wonderful way for Family Physicians and community friends to establish a personal legacy and make a lasting impact on Family Medicine in Wisconsin. A planned gift is one of the most sizable and lasting means of support you can provide. 

Donate Your Tax Refund

Are you getting a tax refund and want to put it towards something meaningful? Provide a check to the foundation using your tax refund to make an impact on family medicine in Wisconsin.

Direct Donation

A donation to the program of your choice is always a good way to give a meaningful gift that is of most interest to you. Designating your gift gives you control over where your money is to be spent.

Give the Gift of Time and Talent

If you’re not ready to give a financial gift, there’s other ways you can be involved in the work of your foundation. Learn more about the 2025 Strategic Plan, our roadmap to our work this year, and contact me if you’d like to hear how you can make an impact by volunteering.

Thank you for your support. Your contribution is greatly appreciated and helps us make a real difference in our community of family medicine in Wisconsin!

Sincerely,



Becky Wimmer

WAFP-Foundation Executive Director

Last November, the WAFP-Foundation Board of Directors met to develop the 2025 Strategic Plan. Along with our new Mission and Vision statements created by a separate work group, this plan was approved in January. The plan introduces our updated mission and vision statements, along with two key areas of focus and five associated goals. With a clear plan in mind, the WAFP-Foundation Board will be focusing on support for promoting the Family Medicine workforce in Wisconsin and expanding community partnerships.

We are thrilled to congratulate all of the incredible Wisconsin medical students who matched into Family Medicine last month! Match Day is a testament of students’ dedication, hard-work, and passion for improving the health of their communities. Read about three 2024 AAFP FUTURE attendees who matched into Family Medicine in 2025 below:

Lindsey Meis is a student at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and in the Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine MD Program. Lindsey has matched into the Family Medicine Residency Program at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse!

“I am excited to stay in Wisconsin for residency. I am looking forward to caring for families and patients of all ages, as well as helping to fulfill the unmet healthcare needs of rural communities as a Family Medicine physician.”

Haley Buerger-Cole is a student at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and matched into Family Medicine at Froedtert/MCW in Menomonee Falls.

“I truly cannot wait to start my journey as a family doctor. I'm especially looking forward to practicing community health-focused medicine in residency and beyond!”

Samantha Busch is a student at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. She will be continuing her training right here in Wisconsin at UW's Family Medicine Residency Program starting this summer. Samantha represented WAFP as the Student Delegate at the 2023 AAFP National Conference and returned in 2024 as an AAFP FMIG Regional Coordinator. She also served as the Student-Director on the WAFP-Foundation Board!



"I’ve been fortunate to gain valuable firsthand experience in community health and advocacy in Milwaukee, WI, and I’m excited to continue this work close to my hometown. I look forward to contributing to the future of affordable healthcare, building long-lasting relationships with my patients, and addressing a wide range of healthcare needs across all stages of life. In addition to clinical care, I’m eager to utilize my diverse leadership experiences in academic medicine, teaching the next generation of medical students and colleagues about community health and the opportunities within Family Medicine."

Applications are now open for Wisconsin medical students to attend the 2025 AAFP FUTURE Conference (formally National Conference) in Kansas City. FUTURE is the premier event for medical students from across the country to have the opportunity to network with their peers, learn about the latest advancements in Family Medicine, connect with potential employers and begin envisioning their futures as Family Physicians.

Our goal for 2025 is to raise $40,000 to send 50 Wisconsin medical students to this transformative conference. Will you make a donation today?

Be Part of Something Bigger. Become a Family Medicine Partner.

Working together amplifies our impact! Together, we can do extraordinary things. Help us continue building the future of Family Medicine in Wisconsin. Become a Family Medicine Partner today!

Why should you become a Family Medicine Partner?

• When you give monthly, you are making a vital and significant impact on the WAFP-Foundation's long-term financial well-being.
• We offer the option to invest the amount that is convenient to you, with automatic monthly payments.
• Monthy giving is the most effective way to preserve the future of Family Medicine through supporting the WAFP-Foundation.

Members of the WAFP give monthly in order to preserve the future of family medicine in Wisconsin. No matter the size of your gift, know that you will instantly become a part of a dedicated group committed to advancing the art and science of family medicine.

Become a Family Medicine Champion

The WAFP-Foundation is currently recruiting Family Medicine Champions for 2025. Family Medicine Champions donate a prize package (such as the ones listed below) to the foundation which is used in a two-week drawing each quarter to raise funds in order to support the WAFP-Foundation’s mission and programs. Due to the generosity of our donors, the WAFP-Foundation has raised over $55,000 since introducing virtual drawings! 

2025 Wish List:

• Tickets to a sporting event, concert, or show
• Weekend stay at a cabin, lake house, or other vacation-style home
• Complimentary medical service
• Spa package
• Cooking class, golf lesson, or another guided instruction activity
• Other

Do you have an experience to donate? Email Iris.