We believe that improving health begins with critically reflecting on the root causes of gaps in emergency care. Guided by this belief, we embed a social impact lens across everything we do, from education and research to clinical care. We also foster a culture of belonging that uplifts every team member and honors every patient’s story.
Learners and trainees are central to this work. We are committed to providing the necessary support to help them thrive in our community and grow into future health equity leaders.
Culturally centered care curriculum
We recognize the importance of culturally centered approaches and humility in our role as emergency physicians, as well as the importance of establishing enduring connections with our community. Our residency curriculum begins with core concepts and advances to explore the unique care needs of various patient populations.
Components:
- Didactics and journal clubs
- Invited expert lecturers, community organizers, and patient panels
- Simulation training and experiential workshops
- Book clubs and newsletter writing opportunities
By focusing on stereotyping and unconscious assumptions, gaps in health outcomes, and cross-cultural communication, we instill in our residents a lifelong commitment to providing exceptional patient care while understanding and addressing social determinants of health. Our longitudinal quality improvement curriculum also offers residents the opportunity to consider projects that improve access to care.
This training equips residents with the knowledge and skills to best meet the needs of patients and caregivers, while working in a complex health care system.
Social Emergency Medicine
Our program is committed to identifying and addressing the social determinants of health that have an impact on the health and general quality of life of our patients.
Many of our department members volunteer with community-based programs in Madison and the surrounding area in order to serve and better understand the resources available for patients who have a variety of health and social needs — from unstable housing, food insecurity, substance use, domestic abuse, and more.
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Civic Health
Our emergency departments offer patients, visitors, and staff the opportunity to register to vote on-site in our ED waiting rooms through a nonpartisan, non-interruptive voter registration system. Civic health promotion in the department is led by Dr. Marin Darsie, an associate professor in the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Neurosurgery.
Community Service
Many residents volunteer on their own or through opportunities facilitated by departmental social impact and belonging efforts.
Global Health
Our faculty, fellows, and residents participate in emergency medicine in the U.S. and beyond through global health initiatives. Our Division of Global Health and Social Emergency Medicine, led by Dr. Jessica Schmidt (a two-time Fulbright Scholar), engages in a broad portfolio of initiatives that blend clinical care, health systems development, education, and collaborative research. Learn more about our global impact 
MEDiC Clinics
Department faculty and residents devote four Saturdays each year to volunteering at free health care clinics with the MEDiC program, a student-run program of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
Through MEDiC, health professions students and volunteer clinicians offer free health care to medically underserved populations.
Street Medicine
The core idea behind street medicine is to provide a health care model that proactively brings medical care directly to unsheltered individuals in their living environments (under bridges, in urban encampments, in alleyways, etc.). Our faculty, residents, and APPs work with local organizations to bring health care to people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the Madison community.
Each year at graduation, the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine recognizes faculty and residents who go above and beyond in community service.
Residents have also been recognized for their efforts at the state and national levels, with several program alumni having received the annual Howard J. Croft Resident Advocate Award from the Wisconsin chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (WACEP) during their residency.
"We're passionate about care without conditions.
David Tillman, MD
Patients don’t have to earn our best efforts."
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine
Associate Dean of MD Admissions, UW School of Medicine and Public Health