Undergraduate Commencement
May 11, 2024

Honorary Degree: Doctor of Science
Conferred on Peggy Troy.

Peggy Troy is the first female President and CEO of Children’s Wisconsin, the only health system in Wisconsin that is 100 percent dedicated to kids. Under her leadership, the hospital is ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, employs more than 5,000 people throughout the state, and is served by nearly 700 of Wisconsin’s top pediatric providers from the Medical College of Wisconsin.

In her role, Peggy keeps her eyes on the horizon, anticipating and preparing for changes in the dynamic and complex health care landscape. As the visionary leader of a billion-dollar pediatric health system, she is committed to collaborating with individuals and organizations that have the best interest of kids in mind. As a tireless champion and advocate, she rolls up her sleeves, offers guidance on tough issues, and brings attention to worthwhile causes. She leads by example and is deeply committed to developing talent at all levels, and to mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Peggy earned her bachelor of science in nursing from Marquette University and a master’s in nursing from DePaul University. While attending Marquette, Peggy served as a nurse intern at Milwaukee Children’s Hospital, now Children’s Wisconsin, and has been involved in pediatric medicine ever since. Peggy’s talents and passion for children’s health led to progressively increasing leadership roles in both adult and pediatric health systems prior to coming to Children’s in 2009. She is the former chair of the board of the Children’s Hospital Association, a national organization of 220 children’s hospitals that advances child health through innovation in quality, cost, and delivery of care. She is frequently invited to speak about pediatric health care policy.

Peggy is a strong community advocate and volunteers her time to organizations that improve overall health and quality of life. She is a member of the Greater Milwaukee Committee and serves on the boards of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation, the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, QuadMed, Teach for America, and the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center. She served on the Marquette Board of Trustees from 2011 to 2023, chaired the Board’s Committee on Academic Excellence, and is a Trustee Emerita.

Peggy has received many honors, including the 2019 Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Hospital Association, 2018 CEO of the Year by BizTimes, and the 2017 Sacagawea Award from Professional Dimensions.

Because of the impact she has on the health and wellness of children and families in Wisconsin and her unwavering dedication to Marquette, President Lovell, I hereby recommend Peggy Troy for the Marquette University degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa.