Pre-professional programs
ENVISION Magazine, 2004
Mark Niedfeldt’88 always knew he wanted to be a doctor. After graduating from Beloit Memorial High School with honors, it came time to choose the right college, taking into consideration size, cost and quality of education. Upon visiting the UW-Whitewater campus, he spoke with the chair of the biology department.
“I asked him, ‘What are my chances of getting into medical school if I go here?’ And he answered, ‘The last seven out of eight got in.’ That sealed it for me. Plus I was able to compete in Division III track and cross country.”
His undergraduate years at UW‑Whitewater prepared him well, he said, for the rigors of medical school. Having trained in non-operative sports medicine at the Medical School of Wisconsin, Neidfeldt now is an associate professor there in the department of family medicine and orthopedic surgery. But that’s only the tip of his professional iceberg. He is also a team physician seven times over. Prepare to feel tired after considering this doctor’s clientele:
- Milwaukee Brewers. For the past seven years, Neidfeldt has been on call at spring training in Phoenix and at about half the Brewers’ regular games. A highlight for him is being in the clubhouse and on the field during the 2002 All- Star game.
- Milwaukee Wave indoor soccer team and Milwaukee Wave United outdoor soccer team. He enjoys the players a lot because they are “fun, nice guys who are not highly paid.”
- U.S. Olympic Snowboarding Team. A snowboarder himself, Neidfeldt has traveled to Europe several times with the team, usually for one to two weeks per year.
- Milwaukee Ballet. On call during some performances and rehearsals, he has become a fan of the art form and appreciates the incredible stress on the body.
- Wisconsin Lutheran College and Concordia College where he helps out in student health, athletic training and sports teams.
Niedfeldt’s wife, Jennifer, is an anesthesiologist and they have two daughters, ages 7 and 3. He admits theirs is a busy lifestyle, but he likes the variety of what he does.
Looking back at his education at UW‑Whitewater, Niedfeldt said that although he majored in biology, he particularly enjoyed taking classes outside of science such as art, history and literature.
“Medical schools are interested in a wellrounded person who has done internships or volunteer work. People skills are extremely important. Of course, getting good grades and doing well on the MCAT is essential, but I think college is a time to mature, to figure out who you are – and that’s what you get from a liberal arts education.” – Jane Provorse