Jeremy Ratliff
Editor
Two local brothers will soon be members of the Madison, Wis. medical community; fulfilling career goals each has held since childhood.
Collin Rekowski has been a Doctor of Physical Therapy at the William S. Middleton V.A Hospital in Madison, since the summer of 2018. Younger brother Matthew, recently completed National Board Certification in the field of Anesthesiology and will join the team at UW Hospital and Clinics in February, as a Clinical Anesthetist.
Matthew and Collin are the sons of Beth Anne and Paul Rekowski, of Merrill.
While their respective goals have differed, both readily admit family support, and significant experiences and encouragement they received while attending Merrill High School, have proven to be key factors in their achievements.
Collin is a 2009 graduate of Merrill High School and completed his undergraduate studies in 2014; receiving a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Physical Therapy from UW-Stout in Menomonie. He then went on to attend Hampton University in Hampton, VA where he obtained his doctorate in Physical Therapy.
“I was quite certain I wanted to work in the medical field even prior to high school,” Dr. Rekowski explains.
“I think this was due to personal life experiences early on, seeing family members requiring medical care and the positive impact that a provider could have, when you knew they had a passion for what they did. I think that shows through very clearly, and I wanted to both provide a valuable service to those in need, while also concurrently building a strong rapport with those individuals based on the empathy I’d gained throughout my own experiences.
“It was in high school that more specific exposures pushed me toward physical therapy in-particular. I feel very fortunate to now carry out this aspiration at the VA hospital where I have the opportunity to serve those who have served before me.”
While attending MHS, Collin was active in athletics, playing football, basketball, as well as competing on the Bluejay Boys track team. Aside from sports, he was also active in school activities, including Link Crew, Student Senate as well as the Athletic Co-op Program.
“I would say taking the athletic co-op course that was offered at MHS was certainly valuable in providing me early exposure to the field of physical therapy,” Collin adds.
“Anthony Gerlach, Physical Therapist, was a great ambassador for the profession. Getting to work with someone like him both as a patient after my own injuries/ailments from sports, and as a student intern were experiences that I was fortunate to have as I was considering my future career path.”
Matthew is a member of the MHS Class of 2014. Following high school, he attended UW-Madison; graduating in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He then proceeded on to attend the Medical College of Wisconsin, pursuing a Master’s of Science in Anesthesia, which he will graduate from on Saturday, Dec.12.
during the Class of 2014 MHS Commencement
Ceremony.
“After growing up without one of my brothers (Kyle Rekowski) who passed away at the age of 4 due to leukemia, my mother always told me a lot of stories about all of Kyle’s incredible, compassionate, healthcare providers while he underwent treatment,” Matthew explains.
“I wanted to make the same impact; to help people in such vulnerable times. I loved learning about science, especially as it pertained to physiology. As a freshman in college, I came to discover that anesthesia was my calling. I love the acuity of the operating room, the procedural aspects of the career, as well as all of the different forms of technology we get to work with on a daily basis. I think there’s also something to be said about our role as someone who has a very short time to gain our patients’ trust, that we will keep them alive during surgery while they are asleep, a time that they are at their most vulnerable.”
Matthew was also active in athletics while attending MHS, competing in football, basketball as well as track and field. Aside from sports, Matthew was active with the Vocal Jayz.
“I could go on for hours about all of the experiences in Merrill, and Merrill High School, that helped me to get where I am today.” he adds.
“Sports gave me a means of building character, self-discipline, and learning to take my health seriously. I was also strongly impacted by so many coaches and teachers at MHS who helped shape me into the person I am today, for which I’ll always be grateful. The biggest role Merrill had that played a role in my success now as an adult, is that that’s where I met my girlfriend and best friend, Mariah, who has been my rock and biggest supporter through it all.”
“I’m just incredibly blessed for the life that I have. It’s an awesome feeling to know that I’ve finally reached my aspiration of becoming an anesthetist, and it has been the culmination of many years of hard work. I’m also excited to continue to learn and grow as I begin my journey as a healthcare professional. I wouldn’t have been able to get here without my family, girlfriend, friends, and many other teachers, professors, and others who have made such a strong impact in my life over the many years.”