The Layton Rikkers Surgical Society is proud to celebrate the Forward Award on behalf of the University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery. This award recognizes outstanding alumni contributions by current or former residents, faculty, and fellows of the University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery.
The Forward Award is presented annually each fall at the LRSS Alumni Dinner held during the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress. This year’s dinner took place on Oct. 6 in Chicago.
Dr. Kevin Wasco has made his mark in seemingly every corner of the state of Wisconsin. He grew up in Neenah, attended Marquette as an undergrad, moved 90 miles west to Madison for medical school and residency then went into community practice in Neenah. Along the way he has impacted countless colleagues, trainees and patients.
Dr. Wasco completed his general surgery residency at Wisconsin Surgery in 1999. The chair of the department at the time, Dr. Layton Rikkers, had a profound impact on Kevin, as did a number of terrific mentors from his time at UW Surgery. In addition to his tremendous work ethic and desire to be a great surgeon, his love of sports bonded him with many faculty in the department. As an undergrad at Marquette, Kevin was a four-year member of the men’s soccer team, leading the squad in goals as a junior.
“Dr. Bruce Harms was my mentor for five years,” Dr. Wasco recalled. “I remember sitting in his office and talking sports. We talked more about sports than surgery, which was probably a good thing. Dr. Bill Turnipseed had a soccer team. I was a ringer, and he always made sure that my schedule was clear so I could play.”
Making the most of his training and helping others has always been at the forefront for Dr. Wasco. As a chief resident he impacted a number of fellow trainees, including current Wisconsin Surgery faculty Dr. Charles Heise, Dr. James Maloney and Dr. Peter Nichol. When he started in his community practice at Surgical Associates in Neenah, that love of teaching followed. He remains involved in the UW General Surgery Residency program, mentoring trainees in the rural general surgery track as a clinical adjunct professor, as well as serving as co-director for the Marquette PA program.
Dr. Wasco has been a driving force in the growth of bariatric surgery, in Neenah, in the state of Wisconsin and nationally through his advocacy and work with the American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery. As one of the earliest site reviewers for the Bariatric Center of Excellence program, Dr. Wasco spearheaded a critical national quality improvement program. He was also a crucial advocate in Wisconsin to ultimately get medical insurance coverage for bariatric operations.
Dr. Wasco has also been incredibly generous to numerous causes throughout the medical community, both locally and nationally. He is a longtime board member of the Free Dental Clinic, which serves Northeastern Wisconsin, as well as a member and former vice president of the Surgical Associates of Neenah (SAN) executive council. He also serves as the Chairman of Thedacare Cancer Committee and Thedacare Endoscopy Committee. Nationally, Dr. Wasco is a member of American College of Surgeons CPT coding committee and is active in the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) community leadership program.
A true family man, Kevin and his wife, Mitzy, have six children. Avid Badger supporters (Dr. Wasco is a longtime football and men’s hockey season ticket holder), their daughter, Amelia, recently started her freshman year at UW.
“We are tremendously excited to honor Dr. Wasco with the Forward Award,” said Dr. Rebecca Minter, A.R. Curreri Distinguished Chair, Wisconsin Department of Surgery. “He has given so much to our department, remaining connected for nearly 25 years following his residency. He has made significant contributions to our education and trainee programs as a clinical adjunct faculty and key faculty member for our rural track residency in Neenah. Dr. Wasco’s energy and enthusiasm for Wisconsin Surgery are contagious and we are always thrilled when he is able to participate in our events.”
This past spring, Dr. Wasco’s life took a dramatic and unexpected turn when a medical condition forced him to take a step back from his professional responsibilities as a surgeon. Forever a fighter, Dr. Wasco is now on the road to recovery and attended the department’s annual LRSS Alumni Dinner in Chicago on Oct. 6 with his wife and three of his daughters, Sophie, Ana and Celia. It was there that he received the 2025 Forward Award.
“The Forward Award is an amazing honor from an amazing surgery program,” Dr. Wasco said. “I think of people like Drs. Rikkers, Minter, Belzer, and more who are phenomenal surgeons. All influenced me during my career. It is such an honor to be held in high regard by people who have taught me. These people have shaped me as a surgeon. Receiving the Forward Award means I’ve helped move surgery forward in medicine. It means I was able to give back by teaching others. I’m proud to represent the University of Wisconsin.”
The dinner included remarks from Dr. Minter, Dr. Michal Garren, a longtime friend of Dr. Wasco’s, and Dr. Sharon Weber, a fellow member of the 1999 general surgery residency class.
“Dr. Garren and Dr. Weber are two extraordinary surgeons of my era,” Dr. Wasco recounted. “Hearing such nice words from them was absolutely touching. It was incredible to have these two friends and colleagues present me with this prestigious award. It was truly an honor to receive the Forward Award.”