Gary Sterken, MD, assistant professor and comprehensive ophthalmologist, retired October 10, 2020 from the University of Wisconsin Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) and UW Health after providing eye care in Madison and the surrounding area for thirty years.
Dr. Sterken grew up in southeastern Wisconsin. He attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He spent three years as a chemist at the Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant, followed by three years as a drug analysis chemist, crime scene investigator, and expert court witness for the Wisconsin State Crime Lab.
Dr. Sterken then earned his medical degree at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, followed by an internship year at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Following his internship, Dr. Sterken joined DOVS for an ophthalmology residency and a glaucoma fellowship.
After his fellowship, Dr. Sterken spent eight years as a comprehensive ophthalmologist with Physicians Plus Medical Group. That group merged with UW Health in 1998, and Dr. Sterken continued in his comprehensive role.
In 2004, Dr. Sterken took over the comprehensive ophthalmology position at UW Health Specialty Clinic at Mile Bluff in Mauston, Wisconsin. He also served patients in the Reedsburg area from 2008 through 2019.
A beloved presence both regionally and in Madison, Dr. Sterken will be missed by patients, technicians, nurses, referring optometrists and physicians, fellow faculty members and DOVS administrative staff. Congratulations, Dr. Sterken!
Dr. Sterken was a terrific colleague – a knowledgeable and skilled surgeon, valuable contributor to our residency training program, and all-around caring physician. He will be missed but we wish him well on his retirement adventures. – stephen sauer, md, associate professor and comprehensive service chief
