Welcome Colin Harari, MD, incoming assistant professor.
Hometown: Madison, WI
Educational background: I grew up locally, attending Madison West High School. Following high school I traveled to the East Coast where I earned my degree in Astrophysics at Tufts University. After some time overseas I returned for my medical school and residency training here at UW-Madison.
Residency, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Radiation Oncology (2025)
MD, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2020)
BS, Tufts University, Astrophysics (2010)
When, and how, did you develop an interest in the field of Radiation Oncology? My interest in Radiation Oncology has evolved in many ways over the years. I came to know of the existence of the field as a child as my father has worked in the same department I will be joining this fall for over 30 years now. Later in life, a family member was treated in this department by someone who will now be my colleague. In medical school, I was unsure of which field I wished to practice in early on. After rotating in the department, I was drawn to the warmth and camaraderie amongst the staff and residents and loved the blend of physics and medicine implemented when constructing each patient’s unique radiation therapy plan.
What attracted you to UW-Madison and the Department of Human Oncology? As mentioned above, the friendliness and esprit de corps I felt while rotating through the department of human oncology as a medical student was a huge draw. I appreciated that the attending physicians preferred going by first name and that there was great camaraderie amongst physicians, therapists, nurses, dosimetrists, physicists, etc. It was clear that the quality of care and focus on patients and their families came first in the eyes of the team taking care of each person who was seen and treated in the department.
What are you most excited about during your first year with the department in this role? I look forward to getting to know the inner workings and staff out at Johnson Creek Clinic as I will be spending a majority of my clinic days there.
What hobbies or special activities do you enjoy outside of work? I love being outdoors; camping, hiking, paddling on the surrounding lakes. With 5, 3, and 2 year old children our outdoor adventuring can be limited at times, but my wife and I enjoying biking and small hikes with all the littles. We also both play a smattering of recreational sports and love an occasional board game as time allows.