Event Medicine

Broadly defined, event medicine is the planning, execution and post-event review of medical care provided during any mass gathering. This ever-growing part of emergency medicine involves working with multidisciplinary groups of professionals to predict and coordinate the response to illness and injury for event spectators and participants.

Event medicine is an integral part of our emergency medicine residency program and provides an unparalleled experience to the resident physician. Due to the multiple variables and highly unpredictable nature of mass gatherings, event medicine demands rigorously scripted, yet highly flexible plans to manage medical needs for “routine” emergencies while keeping a watchful eye on mass casualties.

We look at historical patterns of patient presentation, weather predictions, intel from law enforcement and published experience at similar events to coordinate responders and prepare resources. While it may appear that we are simply staffing the first aid stations and providing on-scene medical care, the event medicine experience is so much deeper than that.

Event Medicine gives resident physicians an opportunity to care for patients in unconventional treatment settings. Some of the most popular events are UW football games at Camp Randall. Under the medical direction of Ryan Wubben, MD, a group of nurses, paramedics and residents provide on-site medical care for the thousands of Badger fans in attendance. In addition, we offer numerous other opportunities to participate in events throughout the area.