Faculty at the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine are accomplished leaders in their specialty. They have received significant honors and awards, while serving in distinguished leadership roles across a broad range of organizations and societies within and beyond emergency medicine. Examples of faculty currently holding significant national, regional or institutional roles include:
• Michael Abernethy, MD, Faculty, The Anesthesia, Trauma & Critical Care Group (United Kingdom)
• Kerry Ahrens, MD, Immediate Past President, Wisconsin chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians
• Ciara Barclay-Buchanan, Chief Medical Officer, UW Health University Hospital
• Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN, Director, EMBRACE Robybal Center (NIH)
• Jamie Hess, MD, MMM, President of Medical Staff, UW Health
• Joshua Ross, MD, Chief Medical Officer, American Family Children’s Hospital & UW Health Kids
• David Tillman, MD, Associate Dean for MD Admissions, UW School of Medicine and Public Health
• Janis Tupesis, MD, Vice President, International Federation for Emergency Medicine
• Mary Westergaard, MD, Board of Directors, Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation
Honors, Awards and Service
*Denotes award
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Air Medical Physician Association
*AMPA Distinguished International Air Medical Physician (2017): Michael Abernethy
*AMPA Medical Director of the Year (2023): Andrew Cathers
*AMPA Distinguished Physician (2017): Michael Abernethy
AMPA President (2020-2022): Ryan Wubben
AMPA Board of Directors (2023-2025): Craig Tschautscher
AMPA Board of Directors (2022-2023): Katherine Connelly
AMPA Board of Directors (2020-2022): Cynthia Griffin
AMPA Education Committee Member: Justin McLean
AMPA Tech Committee Member: Michael Abernethy
AMPA Tech Committee Member: Cynthia Griffin
Air Medical Journal Reviewer: Brittney Bernardoni (2023)
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
Azita G. Hamedani, MD, MPH, MBA (founding chair)
Ciara Barclay-Buchanan, MD
Sara Damewood, MD
Jeffrey Pothof, MD
Brian Sharp, MD
Mary Westergaard, MD
American Academy of Emergency Medicine
*AAEM Young Educator Award (2013): Michael S. Pulia
AAEM Chair, Antimicrobial Stewardship Task Force (2015-2019): Michael S. Pulia
American Association of Physician Leadership
*Certified Physician Executive (2025): Jamie Hess
American College of Emergency Physicians
*ACEP Section of Emergency Ultrasound Innovation in Education Award (2019): Sara Damewood
*ACEP Appreciation Award for service to QIPS Section (2018): Brian Sharp
*ACEP AAWEM (American Association of Women Emergency Physicians) Service to Section Award (2016): Mary Westergaard
*ACEP AAWEM Ripple Award (2015): Mary Westergaard
*ACEP AAWEM National Outstanding Mentor Award (2013): Mary Westergaard
ACEP Chair, Section of International Emergency Medicine (2020-present): Janis P. Tupesis
ACEP Chair, Section of Emergency Ultrasound Global Subcommittee (2019-2020): Jessica Schmidt
ACEP Chair, Section of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (2017-2018): Brian Sharp
ACEP Chair, Section of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (2015-2016): Jeff Pothof
ACEP Chair, Section of American Association of Women Emergency Physicians (2015-2017): Mary Westergaard
ACEP Chair, Research Committee (2018-2020): Manish N. Shah
ACEP Chair, Advisory Board, Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation Program (2020-present): Manish N. Shah
ACEP Board of Governors, Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (2017-2020): Manish N. Shah
ACEP Alternate Councilor, Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Section (2021-present): Collin Michels
ACEP Councilor (2015-2022): Jeff Pothof
ACEP Councilor (2015-present): Brian Sharp
ACEP ED Antibiotic Stewardship Workgroup Consultant: Michael S. Pulia
ACEP EMS Section, Newsletter Associate Editor (2017-2018): Michael Mancera
Residency Alumni Leadership
ACEP Councilor, Wisconsin representative (2023-2025): Christopher Ford (PG’17)
American College of Emergency Physicians - Wisconsin Chapter
*WACEP Distinguished Service Award (2022): Jeffrey Pothof
*WACEP Distinguished Service Award (2021): Michael S. Pulia
*WACEP Distinguished Service Award (2018): Azita Hamedani (founding chair)
*WACEP Career Development Award, Spring Symposium (2019): Michael A. Ward
WACEP President (2023): Kerry Ahrens
WACEP President (2022): Brian Sharp
WACEP President (2020): Ryan Thompson
WACEP President (2019): Jeff Pothof
WACEP President (2011-2012): Azita Hamedani (founding chair)
WACEP Secretary/Treasurer (2020): Dana Resop
WACEP Board of Directors (2024-2027): Collin Michels
WACEP Board of Directors (2022-2025): Ryan Thompson
WACEP Board of Directors (2021-2024): Shera Teitge
WACEP Board of Directors (2012-2020): Dana Resop
Residency Alumni Leadership
WACEP President (2025-2027): Jacob Clark (PG’19)
WACEP President (2016): Bobby Redwood (PG’14)
WACEP President (2013): Michael Repplinger (PG’10)
WACEP Board of Directors (2023-2026): Jacob Clark (PG’19)
WACEP Board of Directors (2022-2025): Michael Eng (PG’19)
WACEP Board of Directors (2022-2025): Ryan Thompson (PG’14)
WACEP Board of Directors (2021-2024): Morgan Wilbanks (PG’16)
WACEP Chair, Governmental Affairs Committee (2010-2015): Michael Repplinger (PG’10)
WACEP Co-Chair, Wisconsin Psychiatric Association Emergency Psych Joint Task Force: Michael Repplinger (PG’10)
*WACEP Distinguished Service Award (2020): Michael Repplinger (PG’10)
*WACEP Career Development Award, Spring Symposium (2015): Michael Repplinger (PG’10)
American Federation of Aging Research
*Terrie Fox Wetle Rising Star Award in Health Services and Aging Research (2021): Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
*Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging (2018): Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
*Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging (2006): Manish N. Shah
The Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging Advisory Board (2020-present): Manish N. Shah
American Geriatrics Society
Member, National Associate of Emergency Medical Technicians/Geriatrics Education for Emergency Medical Services Committee (2013-present): Manish N. Shah
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
AIUM Secretary, Global Health Community (2020-2021): Jessica Schmidt
American Medical Informatics Association
*Fellow induction (2025: Brian Patterson
Anesthesia, Trauma & Critical Care Group (United Kingdom)
ATACC International Faculty: Michael Abernethy
ATACC International Faculty: Andrew Cathers
ATACC International Faculty: Ryan Newberry
Association of Air Medical Services
*40 Under 40 Professionals Transforming Transport Medicine (2025): Andrew Cathers
Association of American Medical Colleges
AAMC Designated Representative, Group on Women in Medicine and Science (2019-present): Mary Westergaard
Citizen CPR Foundation
*40 Under 40 Award (2021): Michael Mancera
Council of Residency Program Directors in Emergency Medicine
*CORD Academy Award, Distinguished Educator in Educational Research (2024): Benjamin Schnapp
Dysphagia Research Society
*People’s Choice for Best Presentation, DRS Annual Meeting (2021): Michael S. Pulia
Member, DRS COVID-19 Task Force (2020-2021): Michael S. Pulia
Emergency Medicine Residents’ Association
*EMRA Rosh Review “One Step Further” Award (2020): Corlin Jewell
*EMRA Academic Excellence Award (2019): Hani Kuttab
*EMRA Chief Residents of the Year Award (2017)
*EMRA CORD Academic Assembly Scholarship (2017): Brooke Moungey (PG’17)
*EMRA Residency Coordinator of the Year (2014): Katy Oksuita
EMRA Board of Directors, Director of Education (2023-2024): Joe-Ann Moser
Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship Accreditation Council
Chair (2020-2022): Sara Damewood
Foundations of Emergency Medicine
Chief Operation Officer (2022-present): Dana Loke
ECG Course Director and National Leadership Team Member (2015-present): Bill Burns
Infectious Disease Society of America
Member, Respiratory Tract infection Steering Group (2022-present): Michael S. Pulia
International Federation for Emergency Medicine
*Order for the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (2020): Janis P. Tupesis
IFEM Board of Directors (2020-present): Janis P. Tupesis
MRSA Survivors Network
*Barry M. Farr Humanitarian Award (2015): Michael S. Pulia
*Person of the Year, 7th Annual World MRSA Day Kickoff Event & Global C. difficile Summit (2015): Michael S. Pulia
MRSA Member, Physician Advisory Board (2014-present): Michael S. Pulia
National Academy of Medicine
*Inaugural Hartford Foundation National Academy of Medicine Scholar in Diagnostic Excellence (2022-2023): Michael S. Pulia
National Association of EMS Physicians
*Best Scientific Presentation, NAEMSP Annual Meeting (2026): Michael Spigner
*Best Speaker Award, NAEMSP Annual Meeting New Speaker Series (2023): Michael Spigner
Officer, NAEMSP Wisconsin Chapter (2022-present): Michael Spigner
Officer, NAEMSP Wisconsin Chapter (2018-2022): Michael Mancera
Secretary, NAEMSP Wisconsin Chapter (2017): Michael Lohmeier
Treasurer, NAEMSP Wisconsin Chapter (2017-2018): Michael Lohmeier
Member, Fellows and Fellowship Graduates Committee (2015-2021): Michael Mancera
Member, Emergency Preparedness Committee: (2014-2015): Michael Mancera
National Institute on Aging - NIH
Co-Chair, National Research Summit on Care, Services, and Supports for Persons Living with Dementia and their Care Partners/Caregivers (2023): Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
Neurocritical Care Society
*Presidential Citation Award (2022): Marin Darsie
Chair, Inclusion in Neurocritical Care Committee (2022-2023): Marin Darsie
NYU Grossman School of Medicine / Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure Public Health Center
Invited Advisory Council Member (2023-present): Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
The PEW Charitable Trusts
Member, Behavioral Interventions for Antimicrobial Stewardship Working Group (2018-present): Michael S. Pulia
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
Faculty and Fellow of Sports and Exercise Medicine: Michael Abernethy
Faculty and Fellow of Sports and Exercise Medicine: Janis Tupesis
Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
First American Examiner, Faculty of Pre-hospital Care (2019): Michael Abernethy
First American to be awarded a Diploma in Retrieval and Transfer Medicine (2019): Michael Abernethy
Diploma in Retrieval and Transfer Medicine (2023): Craig Tschautscher
Diploma in Retrieval and Transfer Medicine (2022): Andrew Cathers
Royal College of Surgeons of England
Faculty and Fellow of Trauma and Critical Care Medicine: Michael Abernethy
Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society
*Inducted (2024): Michael S. Pulia
Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
*SAEM/Simlation Academy Early Educator Award (2025): Michelle Hughes
*SAEM/AGEM Academic Career Achievement Award (2021): Manish N. Shah
*SAEM/AGEM Gerson-Sanders Award (2019): Manish N. Shah
*SAEM/CDEM Young Educator of the Year (2021): David Tillman
*SAEM/CDEM Young Educator of the Year (2018): Jamie Hess
*SAEM/GEMA Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (2018): Janis P. Tupesis
*SAEM/AEM Education and Training Outstanding Peer Reviewer (2021): Benjamin Schnapp
*SAEM Outstanding Future Academician Award (2021): Ryan Tsuchida
*SAEM Blue Ribbon Award, Scientific Assembly (2019): Brian Sharp
*SAEM Outstanding Early Career Award (2012): Azita Hamedani (founding chair)
SAEM President, Foundation Board of Trustees (2023-2024): Manish N. Shah
SAEM President-elect, Foundation Board of Trustees (2022-2023): Manish N. Shah
SAEM Foundation Board of Trustees Member (2019-present): Manish N. Shah
SAEM Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine, Membership Committee Chair (2022-present): Ryan Tsuchida
SAEM Clerkship Directors in Emergency Medicine Academy Executive Committee, Member at Large (2023-2024): David Tillman
SAEM Global Emergency Medicine Academy Executive Committee, Chair (2021-2022): Janis P. Tupesis
SAEM Simulation Academy Executive Committee, Secretary (2023-2024): Michelle Hughes
SAEM Simulation Academy Executive Committee, Member at Large (2021-2023): Michelle Hughes
Society for Clinical Ultrasound Fellowships
*SCUF Innovation & Impact Award (2025): Jessica Schmidt
*SCUF Shazam Award (2022): Hani Kuttab
*SCUF Shazam Award (2020): Sara Damewood
*SCUF Hidden Figures Award (2024): Hani Kuttab
*SCUF Hidden Figures Award (2019): Sara Damewood
SCUF Chair, Fellowship Development & Accreditation Subcommittee (2019-2021): Sara Damewood
SCUF Annual National Conference Chairs (2022): Sara Damewood, Hani Kuttab
Society for Simulation in Healthcare
*SSH Emerging Leader Award in Emergency Medicine (2023): Michelle Hughes
*SSH Section of Emergency Medicine Innovation and Education Award (2017): Ryan Thompson, Josh Ross, Mary Westergaard
SSH Emergency Medicine Section Board of Directors, Member (2021-2022): Michelle Hughes
Surgical Critical Care Program Directors Society
*Innovation in Education Award (2018): Ryan Thompson
Tideswell at UCSF, AGS and ADGAP
Tideswell, AGS and ADGAP Emerging Leaders in Aging Program Scholar (2019): Brian Patterson
Advisory Board, Tideswell at the University of California, San Francisco / American Geriatrics Society / Association of Directors of Geriatrics Academic Programs (2017-present): Manish N. Shah
United Council for Neurologic Subspecialties
Chair, Neurocritical Care Certification Examination Committee (2022-present): Marin Darsie
United States Federal Government
*Fulbright U.S. Scholar, Africa Regional Research Program (2024-25): Jessica Schmidt
Steering Committee Chair, National Research Summit on Care, Services, and Supports for Persons Living with Dementia and their Care Partners/Caregivers (NIH – NIA) (2023): Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
Member, Air Ambulance and Patient Billing (AAPB) Advisory Committee (2019-2021): Michael Abernethy
Representative, CDC Global Antimicrobial Resistance Challenge Kickoff at the UN General Assembly (2018): Michael S. Pulia
Representative, White House Forum on Antibiotic Stewardship (2015): Michael S. Pulia
University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
EDUCATION
*Clinical Science Teaching Award for Madison, Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association (2025): David Tillman
*Clinical Science Teaching Award for Madison, Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association (2024): Mary Westergaard
*Impact Award, UW SMPH Group on Women in Medicine and Science (2021): Sara Damewood
*Dean’s Teaching Award, UW School of Medicine and Public Health (2018): Jamie Hess
House Mentor, UW SMPH Academic and Career Advising Program (2022-present): Mary Westergaard
Faculty Mentor, Building Equitable Access to Mentorship (BEAM) Initiative (2022-present): Ryan Tsuchida
Advisory Committee, UW Global Health Institute: Janis P. Tupesis
Faculty Co-Advisor, UW/UNDP Engineers Without Borders COVID-19 Response (2020): Janis P. Tupesis
Chair, UW Graduate Medical Education Diversity & Inclusion Task Force (2018-2019): Mary Westergaard
Chair, UW SMPH Student Promotions and Review Committee: Jamie Hess
RESEARCH
*Exceptional Mentorship Award from the Undergraduate Research Scholars program (2020): Michael S. Pulia
*UW Global Health Institute Seed Grant recipient (2019): Jessica Schmidt
*Ira and Ineva Reilly Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment Seed Grant recipient (2018): Michael Kim
*Teaching Excellence Award, UW Preventative Medicine Residency (2016): Michael S. Pulia
*New Investigator Program Award from the Wisconsin Partnership Program (2015): Michael S. Pulia
Associate Director for Faculty Development, UW Center for Health Disparities Research: Manish N. Shah
Chair, Wisconsin Partnership Program Oversight and Advisory Committee (2022-present): Manish N. Shah
Co-Director, Establishing Mechanisms of Benefit to Reinforce the Alzheimer’s Care Experience AD/ADRD Roybal Center: Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
Deputy Director and Co-Founder, UW Center for Health Disparities Research: Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
Co-Lead, Care Research Core at the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center: Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
Director, Career Development KL2 Program at the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (2016-2022): Manish N. Shah
UW Health & University of Wisconsin Medical Foundation
*UW Health Rising Star in Clinical Practice Physician Excellence Award (2024): Hani Kuttab
*UW Health Rising Star in Leadership Physician Excellence Award (2024): Brittney Bernardoni
*Physician Excellence Award in Clinical Education (2023): Mary Westergaard
*Physician Excellence Award in Clinical Leadership (2023): Ciara Barclay-Buchanan
*Physician Excellence Award in Clinical Practice (2023): Sara Damewood
*Simulationist of the Year, UW Health Clinical Simulation Program (2022): Michelle Hughes
*Collaborator Award , UW Health Clinical Simulation Program (2022): Hani Kuttab
*Physician Excellence Award in Clinical Practice (2025): Brian Patterson
*Physician Excellence Award in Rising Star Clinical Practice (2025): Allie Hurst
*Physician Excellence Award in Rising Star Clinical Practice (2024): Hani Kuttab
*Physician Excellence Award in Rising Star Clinical Leadership (2024): Brittney Bernardoni
*Physician Excellence Award in Clinical Practice (2023): Sara Damewood
*Physician Excellence Award in Clinical Leadership (2023): Ciara Barclay-Buchanan
*Physician Excellence Award in Clinical Education (2023): Mary Westergaard
*Physician Excellence Award in Clinical Practice (2021): Nicholas Kuehnel
*Physician Excellence Award in Leadership (2020): Josh Glazer
*Physician Excellence Award in Clinical Leadership (2019): Josh Ross
*Physician Excellence Award in Clinical Education (2019): Aaron Kraut
*Innovation Award, Joint Trauma Education Assessment Methodology research program (2018): Ryan Thompson
President of Medical Staff (2021-present): Jamie Hess
Chair and President, Council of Faculty, UW Medical Foundation (2021-2025): Jamie Hess
Vice Chair, Board of Directors, UW Medical Foundation (2021-2025): Jamie Hess
Member, UW Health Medical Board (2015-2017): Mary Westergaard
Chair, UW Health Critical Care Committee (2022-present): Joshua Glazer
Chair, UW Health Clinical Simulation Program Executive Committee (2019-2022): Ryan Thompson
Member, Graduate Medical Education (GME) Committee (2014-present): Mary Westergaard
Member, Graduate Medical Education (GME) Strategic Planning Committee (2014-present): Mary Westergaard
Member, Emergency Management Committee (2011-present): Michael Lohmeier
Member, Interhospital Disaster Committee (2014-present): Michael Lohmeier
Veterans Health Administration
*VHA VISN 12 HeRO Award (2025): Dana Loke
*VHA National HeRO Award (Nominated 2025): Dana Loke
*Innovations Award (2012): Jeff Pothof
*Innovations Award (2011): Jeff Pothof
National Medical Advisory Opinion Reviewer in Emergency Medicine (2011-2019): Jeff Pothof
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Chair, WI DHS State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee: Azita G. Hamedani (founding chair)
Co-chair, WI DHS Emergency Medicine/Urgent Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Subcommittee (2020-present): Michael S. Pulia
Co-chair, WI DHS Emergency Medical Services for Children Advisory Board (2007-present): Michael Kim
Member, WI DHS Healthcare-Associated Infections in Long-Term Care Coalition (2017-present): Michael S. Pulia
Member, WI DHS State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee: Michael Lohmeier
Member, WI DHS Physician Advisory Committee, State EMS Board: Michael Lohmeier
Member, WI DHS Physician Advisory Committee, State EMS Board (2017-2018): Michael Mancera
Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association
Member, Wisconsin Medical Alumni Foundation Board of Directors (2020-2023): Ryan Wubben
Wisconsin Medical Society
*Kenneth M. Viste, Jr. Young Physician Leadership Award (2020): Michael Repplinger (PG’10)
*Kenneth M. Viste, Jr. Young Physician Leadership Award (2018): Kerry Ahrens
Member, Wisconsin Medical Society House of Delegates (2012-present): Michael Repplinger (PG’10)
Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation
Member, Board of Directors (2022-present): Mary Westergaard
Women in Global Health
*WGH Midwest Woman Leader in Global Health (2019): Jessica Schmidt
Madison/Dane County Community
*Madison Magazine Top Doctors (2018): Brian Sharp
*Madison Magazine Top Doctors (2018): Jim Berbee
*Madison Magazine Top Doctors (2016): Josh Ross
*Madison Magazine Top Doctors (2016): Azita Hamedani (founding chair)
*Madison Magazine Top Doctors (2014): Azita Hamedani (founding chair)
The Isthmus Project Board of Directors (2019-present): Manish N. Shah
Member, Dane County Medical Society Board of Trustees (2015-present): Michael Repplinger (PG’10)
Board of Directors, Access Community Health Centers: Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi
Board Member, Dane County ALS Steering Committee (2013-present): Michael Mancera
Board Member, Dane County Medical Advisory Subcommittee (2013-present): Michael Mancera
Board Member, Dane County EMS Commission (2013-2017): Michael Mancera
President, Dane County Medical Society (2019-2020): Michael Repplinger (PG’10)
Vice President, Dane County Medical Society (2018-2019): Michael Repplinger (PG’10)
Distinguished Alumni Awards
*Distinguished Alumni Award, George Mason University (2025): Janis P. Tupesis
*Distinguished Alumni Award, Edgewood College (2022): Jeff Pothof
*Four Pillars Alumni Award, Nazareth Academy (2022): Michael S. Pulia
*Recent Alumni Recognition Award, Wayne State University School of Medicine (2017): Ciara Barclay-Buchanan
*Distinguished Alumni Award, Wisconsin Alumni Association (2017): Jim Berbee (PG’14)
*Distinguished Alumni of the Year, University of Illinois-Chicago EM Residency (2015): Michael S. Pulia