Dakota Kaiser, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from UW–Madison along with certificates in educational policy studies and environmental studies, is the recipient of a 2026 Alumni Award from the Wisconsin Alumni Association.

Kaiser is one of six recipients of the Forward Award, which recognizes rising stars who exemplify the Wisconsin Idea through service, discovery, and progress. The award honors young alumni who have demonstrated exceptional early-career achievement and made a positive impact on their professions or communities.

Raised in a small town near Wausau, Wisconsin, Kaiser is working to reimagine the healthcare system to expand access and reinvest in the community that shaped him, according to a Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) profile. Alongside his wife, he founded Tall Pines Behavioral Health, where he serves as managing partner and clinical director. The organization uses telehealth and hybrid care teams to bring specialized services to the region, coordinate care across medical settings, and support patients with complex conditions.

The model also emphasizes sustainable workforce development, helping clinicians build lasting connections in the community.  

Kaiser credits UW–Madison with helping prepare him for this work: “Coming from a town of 1,200 people to Madison and meeting people from a global community really changed how I understood the world,” Kaiser says. “There’s something about the big, grand ideas at the UW and being around people who want to make a real difference that pushes you to think bigger and lean in.”

Read more about Kaiser in this WAA profile.