Resident Advocacy Awards

In 2018, WACEP introduced the Howard J. Croft Resident Advocate Award in honor of past president and longtime leader in advocacy, Howie Croft. The award was developed to recognize one resident from each of the two Emergency Medicine Residency Programs in Wisconsin who have demonstrated exemplary advocacy efforts related to the field of emergency medicine and who have acted to advance emergency care. Nominees must act to bring about change that advances the emergency care of our community. Examples include, but are not limited to, through participating in political advocacy, delivering patient education, and advancing patient centered care. Nominations are submitted directly from each Residency Program.

2026 Winner from University of Wisconsin, Madison
Samantha Crowley, MD, MPH

Dr. Crowley was selected for the Resident Advocate Award for her exceptional leadership and commitment to health policy and physician advocacy throughout her medical training. She has held numerous influential advocacy roles at the state and national levels—including leadership positions with the American Medical Association Medical Student Section and the Wisconsin Medical Society—while authoring multiple policy resolutions and contributing to legislative efforts. Her direct engagement with policymakers, public testimony, and work advancing reproductive and public health policy demonstrates a strong dedication to shaping healthcare policy and representing the voice of physicians and patients.


2026 Winner from Medical College of Wisconsin
Samantha Powell, DO, MPH

Dr. Powell was selected for this award for her work in advocacy.  As a first-year resident she served as an EMRA health policy academy fellow and currently serves as a WACEP legislative committee member. Sami has participated in numerous advocacy projects at the state and national level. Currently, she serves as the project lead for the Milwaukee Area Safe Streets task force with focus on improving injury after motor vehicle crashes. Finally, she is an excellent educator for her co-residents, including advocacy topics in all of her educational sessions with the goal of using education to improve the care of the patient populations she serves.

Past Resident Advocacy Award recipients include:

  • 2025: Dr. Leah Morgan (UW) & Dr. Sarah Russell, MD (MCW)
  • 2024: Dr. Brittany Kotek (UW) & Dr. Alexis Ray (MCW)
  • 2023: Dr. Sarah Soderberg (UW) & Dr. Sehr Khan (MCW) 

Wisconsin Chapter, American College of Emergency Physicians
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Kimberly, WI 54136
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