The Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine delivers compassionate, high-quality, evidence-based emergency care to children from across the upper Midwest. Clinical care is primarily delivered in our 11-bed, dedicated pediatric emergency department at the American Family Children’s Hospital — a nationally-ranked, 111-bed facility with pediatric and neonatal surgical intensive care units that have served the special needs of children for more than 100 years. It is a busy Level I trauma center, one of two in the state, and the only Level 1 burn center in Wisconsin.
The pediatric emergency department (ED) cares for 17,000 pediatric patients annually — many with high acuity — and is staffed by a knowledgeable, growing group of fellowship-trained pediatric emergency medicine faculty working closely with trainees from pediatric and emergency medicine residencies, as well as medical students at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health—itself a recognized international, national, and statewide leader in education, research, and service. A dedicated team of specialized pediatric nurses and respiratory therapists also staff the pediatric ED alongside 24/7 child life, pharmacy and social work services, with the department having a strong, collaborative relationship with pediatric/neonatal critical care transport teams.
American Family Children’s Hospital
The American Family Children’s Hospital is located in Madison, Wisconsin. It is a Level l Pediatric Trauma Center — the highest level possible — with Level l Pediatric Intensive Care, a verified Pediatric Burn Center and Level lV Neonatal Intensive Care. In addition, the UW Health Transplant Center, which houses the UW Health Kids Transplant Program, is the only location in the Midwest actively transplanting all five organs for children and adults.
The hospital offers care in a modern facility with advanced technology that is also a national model for patient and family-centered care, as well as a destination for complex specialty pediatric care.
Unique for our region, our emergency department includes a team of doctors with extra training in caring for children. And our around-the-clock Child Life staff know exactly how to put a smile on a kid of any age in a scary situation.
Division News & Announcements
New Faculty Q&A: Dr. Natalie J Tedford
Q&A with Natalie J Tedford, MD, MSPH (she/her), assistant professor of emergency medicine and pediatric emergency medicine...
Department of Emergency Medicine welcomes 14 new faculty and physician assistants
They bring a wide range of experience with them, including specialty expertise in pediatrics, global health, informatics, and critical care transport...
Four department faculty promoted to the rank of professor
Drs. Sara Damewood, Jamie Hess, Joshua Ross, and Mary Westergaard have been promoted to professor, indicating their expertise and leadership...
Department of Emergency Medicine faculty receive national and institutional grant funding
Five faculty serve as investigators and co-investigators on awards related to pediatrics; education; diversity, equity and inclusion; and infectious disease diagnosis...
Allie Hurst named medical director for Med Flight Pediatric Critical Care Transport
In her new role, Dr. Hurst will partner Med Flight's physician medical directors for adult and neonatal patients, as well as nursing and operational leadership...
Division of Prehospital Medicine faculty speak at 2024 Wisconsin EMS Association regional conference
Dr. Michael Kim and Dr. Kerry Ahrens led skills labs and presented on pediatric emergencies and toxicology, respectively...
- More Pediatrics posts
Remarkable Pediatric Specialty Care
Pediatric experts at UW Health Kids have served the special needs of children for more than 100 years. And the American Family Children’s Hospital has been ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 11 consecutive years since opening in 2007.