Click on a staff member's name to view their bio.
Back row: James Russell, M.D. | Kathleen S. Stokes, M.D. | Bradley Straka, M.D. | Glenn Sondag, M.D. | Gretchen Zirbel, M.D.
Front row: Sun Young "Sunny" Ruggeri, M.D. | Thomas J. Russell, M.D. | Kristina Kleven, M.D.
Not pictured: Courtney Papp, PA-C
Thomas Russell, M.D.
Dr. Russell founded the dermatology practice in 1973, and it became Affiliated Dermatologists, S.C. in 1981. He has been recognized by Milwaukee Magazine’s "Top Docs" in four consecutive surveys and by Best Doctors in America. Dr. Russell is affiliated with Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the VA Hospital, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Columbia St. Mary’s and Elmbrook Memorial Hospitals. He is Board Certified in Dermatology.
Dr. Russell is a Clinical Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and has received teaching awards from MCW and the Dermatology Foundation, a national educational organization. Among his professional activities are numerous leadership positions with organizations including the Wisconsin Dermatological Society, Milwaukee Academy of Medicine, American Academy of Dermatology and Noah Worcester Dermatological Society.
He served as the dermatologist and allergist at Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport, Louisiana, after completing his residency in dermatology at the Mayo Clinic. He earned his medical degree from the Marquette University School of Medicine and served his internship at Minneapolis General Hospital (now Hennepin County General Hospital). His bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and philosophy are also from Marquette University.
Dr. Russell is married and has four adult children, including James P. Russell, M.D., who joined the practice in 2005. His personal interests include photography, traveling and family history.
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Kathleen S. Stokes, M.D.
Named three times as one of Milwaukee Magazine’s "Top Docs" and every year since 1996 named in Who's Who in American Medicine, Dr. Stokes is recognized as one of southeast Wisconsin’s most outstanding dermatologists. She has practiced with Affiliated Dermatologists, S.C. since 1991.
In addition to her practice, she is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). She has presented on a wide range of dermatological topics. Dr. Stokes traveled to Shanghai, China in 2006 where she conducted Grand Rounds at United Family Hospital in the area of Dermatology/Systemic Disease. While in Shanghai, she presented "The Skin You’re In" to the Expatriate Professional Women's Society.
Dr. Stokes is affiliated with Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, Elmbrook Hospital, the VA Hospital and St. Luke’s Medical Center. She is certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners. Dr. Stokes is a past president of the Wisconsin Dermatological Society and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Medical Association, the Wisconsin Dermatological Society, the Milwaukee Academy of Medicine and TEMPO.
She completed her dermatology residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), where she served as Chief Resident in 1990-1991. She received her medical degree from MCW, and her Master’s and bachelor's (magna cum laude) degrees from the University of Utah.
Dr. Stokes is married and has three sons. She is an avid skier and tennis player.
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Bradley Straka, M.D.
Recognized by Milwaukee Magazine’s "Top Docs" as an "up and comer," Dr. Straka is building a reputation for his astute diagnostic skills, specialty in contact dermatitis and ebullient personality. The partners of Affiliated Dermatologists, S.C. brought him into the practice in 2002, immediately following his residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). Dr. Straka is Board Certified in Dermatology.
Dr. Straka is an Assistant Clinical Professor at MCW and a member of several professional organizations. He is also the team dermatologist for the Milwaukee Brewers.
He rose to Chief Resident, Dermatology, at MCW. He served his internship in Transitional Medicine at St. Luke's Medical Center. His medical degree, with honors, is from the University of Illinois, where he was first in his class and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. His Bachelor of Science degree in Biology is from the University of Illinois.
Dr. Straka is married and has two sons. An avid antique collector and painter, he and his wife also breed and raise horses.
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Glenn Sondag, M.D.
A co-founder of Affiliated Dermatologists, S.C., Dr. Sondag has been in practice since 1980. He is affiliated with Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the VA Hospital, Elmbrook Memorial Hospital and St. Luke's Medical Center.
Dr. Sondag is Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Dermatology. He is a member of numerous local, state and national professional organizations.
Dr. Sondag served his dermatology residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin and his residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. He earned his medical degree from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. His bachelor’s degree is from the University of Notre Dame.
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Gretchen Zirbel, M.D.
Dr. Zirbel joined Affiliated Dermatologists, S.C. in 1994. In addition to general dermatology, she contributes her expertise in pediatrics to the practice. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and a Guest Lecturer at Marquette University. She is affiliated with Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the VA Hospital, Elmbrook Memorial Hospital and St. Luke's Medical Center.
She is certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology and a Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners. She is a member of local, state and national professional organizations. Her research publications and presentations reflect her interest in pediatric dermatology.
Dr. Zirbel became Chief Resident, Dermatology, at MCW in 1993, the third year of her residency. She served her Medical/Pediatric internship at Grady Hospital of Emory University, where she received her medical degree, magna cum laude. Prior to becoming a physician, Dr. Zirbel earned a Bachelor of Science degree as a Physicians’ Assistant from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
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Kristina Kleven, M.D.
The practice welcomed Dr. Kleven in 2005. Board Certified in Dermatology, she is committed to the care of patients of all ages with a variety of skin conditions. In addition, she brings special interest and expertise in the special dermatologic needs of children and adolescents.
She is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), and she has published a number of dermatology studies. Dr. Kleven is active in several local and state organizations.
Dr. Kleven is one of Wisconsin’s own, born and raised here. She was Chief Resident in Dermatology at MCW and completed her internship at St. Luke’s Medical Center. She attended MCW where she earned numerous accolades, including induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society and the AOA Service Project Award. Dr. Kleven served as director of the Isaac Coggs Free Clinic in Milwaukee and received the Clinical Excellence Award.
She is married and enjoys spending time with her three young daughters. She also enjoys painting in acrylics and oils.
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James Russell, M.D.
After serving as Chief Resident in the Mayo Clinic Department of Dermatology, Dr. Russell joined his father at Affiliated Dermatologists, S.C. in 2005. Board Certified in Dermatology, he is committed to the philosophy that the patient comes first, and he tries to embody that commitment with each individual patient. He is an active endurance athlete, and although he enjoys treating patients with a wide variety of skin conditions, Dr. Russell has a special interest in dermatological aspects of sports medicine and active lifestyles.
While training at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Russell received the O’Leary Award for Clinical Excellence and the Roy S. Rogers Award for Excellence in Patient Care. He has published several dermatological studies and is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Dr. Russell has a number of active hobbies including triathlons, road and mountain biking, cross country and downhill skiing, running and traveling. Dr. Russell is married and has two children. He also enjoys playing the guitar and singing in an acoustic band, Rimbender.
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Sun Young "Sunny" Ruggeri, M.D.
The most recent addition to Affiliated Dermatologists, S.C., Dr. Ruggeri brings enthusiasm to treatment of complex skin diseases and surgery. Dr. Ruggeri has significant training in pediatric dermatology and relates well to children and their parents. Dr. Ruggeri is equally passionate about treating geriatric patients.
Dr. Ruggeri completed her residency in dermatology at the Medical College of Wisconsin in 2007. Prior to returning to school for her medical degree and completing her internship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, Dr. Ruggeri received a Master's degree at Baylor as a Physician Assistant. Her bachelor's degree, with honors, is from Bemidji State University.
Dr. Ruggeri and her physician husband have two young children.
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Courtney Papp, PA-C
Courtney Papp received her Master’s of Medical Science degree from the Physician’s Assistant program at Midwestern University in Downers Groves, Illinois in 2003. Prior to beginning her education as a Physician Assistant, she received an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio.
She began her medical career working in internal medicine; however, she then chose to work in the specialty of dermatology. Before joining Affiliated Dermatologists, S.C., Courtney worked for a dermatology practice in La Grange, Illinois for four years.
She has also received the recognition of Diplomate from the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistant, given after completing a specialty certification on dermatology.
Her areas of interest include acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and skin cancer screenings.
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