For Dr. Sara Damewood, stepping into the role of vice chair of education for the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) on July 1 represented both a milestone and a mission. “I’m thrilled and honored to lead our team into the next chapter of excellence for emergency medicine education here at the University of Wisconsin.”
Damewood, who joined the department in 2012 and is now a professor of emergency medicine, succeeds Dr. Mary Westergaard, the department’s founding vice chair of education. While Westergaard continues to contribute to the department, she expressed her confidence in passing the mantle to Damewood: “She will do an amazing job taking the department’s educational efforts to the next level.”
Damewood’s promotion marks the culmination of years of dedication to advancing emergency medical education. Her reputation for leadership and collaboration positions her to shape the future of the department’s educational portfolio, with a commitment to quality and innovation.
A passionate educator, Damewood first distinguished herself at UW–Madison by creating a comprehensive point-of-care ultrasound curriculum and credentialing program for emergency medicine residents and faculty, respectively. In 2014, she established a clinical emergency ultrasound fellowship that quickly grew into a highly competitive and fully accredited training program. Under her leadership, significant advances in reviewing and archiving clinical ultrasound images at UW Health’s emergency departments have helped to improve patience care and outcomes.
On the national stage, Damewood is a recognized leader in the clinical ultrasound community. She chaired the Society of Clinical Ultrasound Fellowships program development committee and was integral to the growth and standardization of ultrasound fellowships nationwide. Further, she was the founding chair of the Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship Accreditation Council, a body that oversees subspecialty training in Advanced Emergency Medicine Ultrasonography across the US.
“Dr. Damewood’s extensive experiences in both education and leadership will serve her well as she leads the broader education team in expanding and refining our education enterprise,” said Dr. Manish N. Shah, department chair.
As vice chair, Damewood will oversee all aspects of education within DEM, directing faculty and trainees at all levels. Her focus on innovation and collaboration is clear: “My priority is to provide cutting-edge education and training to best prepare our learners to advance the field of emergency medicine,” she said.
Looking ahead, Damewood envisions growth and strategic partnerships as critical to success. “As our team expands, so does our opportunity to make a deeper impact,” she said. “I’m committed to fostering a culture of investment, innovation and collaboration across all levels of our educational enterprise.”
Her approach to leadership is rooted in curiosity and dialogue. “As a leader, I’ve learned to talk less and ask more questions,” Damewood noted. “This creates an environment where innovation can truly thrive, and it helps me better understand the needs of the team.”
Beyond her new role, Damewood continues to serve as Division Chief of Emergency Ultrasound. In this capacity, she leads efforts in education, clinical operations, and quality improvement, while also overseeing the department’s coding, billing, and documentation practices—an extension of her commitment to ensuring the financial sustainability of educational programs.
Reflecting on her career and the future, Damewood is eager to continue shaping the department and supporting those who will shape the future of the specialty. “Training the next generation of physicians is an extraordinary privilege,” she said. “It’s a responsibility I take seriously, and I’m grateful to be part of their journey as they develop into confident and capable clinicians.”
As the department celebrates Women in Medicine Month in September, Damewood had a message for aspiring female physicians: “Medicine is an incredibly rewarding career,” she said. “You have the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives and in your community.”
Damewood’s personal blend of humility and humor also extends to her work environment. When asked how she decorates her office, she quipped, “There is amazing natural light in my office. But I’m far better at cultivating educational programs and mentorship than growing plants!”
With Damewood at the helm, the future of emergency medicine education at the UW–Madison promises to be as bright as the sunlight streaming into her office.