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 approximately 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
Department of Emergency Medicine faculty selected for UW Health Physician Leadership Development Program
Dr. Andrew Cathers and Dr. Allie Hurst join a year-long program aimed at developing physician leaders across the UW Health system of care...
Nicholas Kuehnel to lead Department of Emergency Medicine’s clinical focus as Vice Chair of Clinical Operations
In his new capacity, Dr. Kuehnel will spearhead the department's clinical initiatives aimed at providing collaborative solutions to operational challenges...
Department of Emergency Medicine faculty complete UW Health Physician Leadership Development Program
Joshua Gauger, MD, MBA, and Nicholas Kuehnel, MD, joined 25 physicians in a year-long program preparing them for roles in health system leadership...
Department of Emergency Medicine 2023 graduation awards and recognitions
The department's outstanding community and exceptional collaborators continued to deliver remarkable clinical care while nourishing a vibrant...
Emergency medicine faculty share expertise: June 2023
As healthcare experts, Department of Emergency Medicine faculty contributed to numerous media stories at local, state, and national levels this month...
Six department faculty promoted to associate level or higher for 2023
Six Department of Emergency Medicine faculty have been approved for promotion this year, with three faculty achieving tenure status...
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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.