A Badger for Life
Barnabas “Barni” Shiferaw ’22, MDx’26 came by his love of medicine and his desire to serve others in the most organic way. Raised by parents who are both nurses for geriatric patients, Barni developed an early interest in science, specifically biology, which paired with his people-oriented nature to serve as an internal compass. He grew up the youngest of four sons in Wausau, Wisconsin, and within his immediate family, Badger blood runs deep. One of his brothers is a UW–Madison graduate of the Department of Economics, and another, who earned his undergraduate degree in 2021, is currently a first-year medical student with Barni in the UW’s School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH).
“Being able to match my passion for working with people with a career in science made medicine a perfect choice,” Barni shares.
During his time as an undergraduate, Barni served as the vice president of the UW Class of 2022. Through that experience, he met many administrators and alumni, illustrating for him, firsthand, how far-reaching and impactful the university is. “The faculty at the UW and SMPH are very supportive, and the students are incredible,” he says. “And the reputation of the school is powerful — that became something I wanted to be a part of and a big reason why I decided to attend medical school here.”
Barni was also recruited to participate in Rural and Urban Scholars in Community Health (RUSCH) — a premed pipeline program created by SMPH — and he is the youngest student to have ever been admitted. Barni is grateful for RUSCH as well as for the opportunities presented to him via the Student National Medical Association program where he was connected with a UW medical student mentor to ease his transition from undergraduate studies into medical school.
“It was important to have that connection, which the UW did a great job of setting up,” Barni shares. “It made me feel comfortable coming here.”
Currently, Barni is drawn to the specialty of anesthesiology, a role in which he feels he can use his bedside manner to improve patient experiences as they approach surgery. “Anesthesiologists really set the tone and can offer a calm and relaxing presence to patients who are about to undergo surgical procedures,” Barni shares. “Being there before and after their operations allows anesthesiologists to see the impact of their work right away, and for me, that’s really important.”
As the 2022–23 recipient of the SMPH Dean’s Academic Scholarship, Barni is keenly aware of the power of philanthropy and how it affects him and other students. “Donor contributions and this scholarship are the main reasons why I am at this university, and with each day that I am here, I reflect on how grateful I am to be a medical student at this school,” he imparts. “Receiving this scholarship felt like the dean saying, ‘We’re excited to have you here — you’re a talented student, and you belong at the UW.’ Knowing that other people believe in me and my abilities helps me perform well academically, causes the unconscious imposter syndrome to go away, and gives me confidence in myself as I navigate these new spaces as a medical student.”
The scholarship has also inspired Barni to want to be philanthropic once he’s established in his profession. “Giving back is extremely important to me — to look back at where I came from, at the people who helped me get where I am, and when I’m able, to support the great work being done at SMPH and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.”
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