Our one-year mentored fellowship in medical simulation is designed for residency-trained physicians pursuing a career in academic emergency medicine. The program offers comprehensive training in simulation-based education, curriculum development, leadership, mentorship, and clinical or non-clinical teaching.
Certified by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM), the fellowship prepares physicians to design and implement simulation-based learning experiences. This includes training in educational theory, procedural instruction, debriefing techniques, and simulation technology. Fellows are expected to deliver theory-informed instruction to both large and small groups and to use diverse educational technologies effectively.
Fellows also have the opportunity to develop a research project that advances simulation-based education and patient care. The BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine is nationally recognized for research excellence and consistently ranks among the top academic emergency medicine departments in NIH funding.
Compensation & Benefits
Our total rewards and employee services packages go beyond traditional benefits to help you balance your work and life needs. Packages include comprehensive health and supplemental benefits, a competitive salary, travel funds, and support to pursue education. Learn more about GME Compensation and Benefits 
Program Details
Available Positions: 1-2
Program Length: 1 year
Start Date: July 1, 2027
Accreditation: SAEM
NRMP Match: No
Appointment:
Clinical Instructor
Moonlighting: Available
“This fellowship equipped me with a strong foundation in simulation-based education and high-level clinical practice, preparing me for a career as both a clinician and an educator. I have enjoyed my time here so much that I opted to stay on as faculty!”
—Taylor Cesarz, MD, 2024-25 Simulation Fellow
Fellowship Curriculum
During this one-year fellowship, participants will develop expertise in designing and delivering simulation-based learning experiences, with training in educational theory, research methods, debriefing techniques, and technical simulation skills. In addition to hands-on training at the University of Wisconsin, fellows receive support to attend the Comprehensive Instructor Workshop at the Center for Medical Simulation at Harvard University, a recognized leader in simulation education.
Fellows will have extensive teaching opportunities with medical students, physician assistant students, and emergency medicine residents, allowing them to refine their instructional skills and develop a personal teaching style. Simulation fellowship-trained faculty provide individualized feedback through “debrief the debriefer” sessions following observed teaching activities. Curriculum development is also a key focus, with structured guidance throughout the fellowship year.
Beyond education, fellows may engage in departmental and institutional quality improvement and process development initiatives, including in-situ simulation. Fellows will also gain leadership experience by actively participating in the department’s Simulation Committee and contributing to the management of a robust and growing simulation program.
Program Highlights & Facilities
Program Highlights
- Extensive multi- and interdisciplinary simulation opportunities, including subspecialties like air and ground EMS, and a residency program with 39 learners.
- Support to attend the Comprehensive Instructor Course hosted by the Center for Medical Simulation at Harvard University, the gold standard in simulation education.
- Opportunities to attend debriefing and facilitation courses through the UW Health Clinical Simulation Center.
- Access to state-of-the-art simulation resources, including high fidelity manikins, wet labs, task/virtual reality simulators, advanced audio-visual capture and playback systems, and a virtual environment simulation cave.
- Opportunity to engage in departmental and institutional quality improvement and process development, including in-situ simulation.
- Robust mentoring and feedback, including regular contact with the fellowship director and program faculty.
- Engage as a leader in the Simulation Division, contributing to curriculum design and program delivery while gaining insight into effective division management.
Simulation Facilities
The fellow will conduct many activities at the UW Health Clinical Simulation Center, an 8,500-square-foot newly renovated clinical simulation facility at University Hospital that is staffed by a dedicated team of knowledgeable simulation educators.
The Clinical Simulation Program has a realistic clinical corridor with a scrub station, operating room, trauma room and adaptable three-bed ICU/inpatient suite, as well as a wet skills laboratory for tissue-based simulation, a dry skills laboratory for computer-based learning and task training, and didactic learning spaces.
Fellowship Director
Michelle Hughes, MD
Division Chief, Medical Simulation
Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine
Dr. Hughes earned her medical degree from the University of Maryland and completed her emergency medicine residency at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She then completed a simulation fellowship through the Rush/Cook County Hospital System.
Nationally, Dr. Hughes is active in leading simulation organizations, including the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine Simulation Academy. She has served as secretary for both the SAEM Simulation Academy Executive Board and the SSH Emergency Medicine Section.
Dr. Hughes has been recognized for her contributions to simulation education with the SAEM Simulation Academy Early Career Educator Award and the SSH Emergency Medicine Section Emerging Leader Award.
How to Apply
Application Process: Email your CV and a personal statement detailing your research interests and career aspirations to Taylor Ungerer, education program administrator, at tungerer@medicine.wisc.edu. Letters of reference may be required at a later point.
Candidates must have graduated in good standing from an ACGME-accredited emergency medicine residency program and must be board-certified or board-eligible in emergency medicine by the time of employment.
