Two physicians from the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine have received 2026 UW Health Physician Excellence Awards. These peer-nominated awards recognize physicians for exceptional impact in leadership, education, clinical practice or regional services, as well as a commitment to UW Health’s mission, vision and values.
Brian Sharp, MD – Leadership Award
Dr. Brian Sharp, professor of emergency medicine and medical director for patient safety and quality at UW Health, received the Leadership Award, which honors physicians with at least five years of sustained service who have demonstrated institution-wide leadership, clinical excellence and a commitment to building community.
Sharp was recognized for his leadership in quality and patient safety across UW Health. Since joining the department in 2012, he has held multiple roles focused on strengthening emergency care systems, safety review processes and organizational learning. His work includes helping to open the emergency department at what is now East Madison Hospital and developing evidence-based peer review processes that transformed broader UW Health safety practices.
As the health system’s inaugural patient safety officer, Sharp led systemwide implementation of Just Culture principles, helping to establish a shared approach to accountability, learning and psychological safety. He also helped advance programs designed to strengthen safety reporting and improvement across the health system, including the Good Catch program, Safety SuperHERO recognition and bimonthly Safety Forums. His work has also extended to staff well-being through support for the Peer Support Program.
Since becoming medical director for patient safety and quality in 2023, Sharp has helped UW Health sustain historically low rates of serious safety events while continuing to strengthen a reporting culture focused on transparency, learning and patient care improvement.
Sharp’s leadership in emergency medicine extends beyond UW. He previously chaired the Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Section of the American College of Emergency Physicians and continues to serve on ACEP’s Quality and Patient Safety Committee. He is also a member of the Wisconsin ACEP board of directors and previously served as chapter president.
Ryan Tsuchida, MD – Rising Star Leadership Award
Dr. Ryan Tsuchida, assistant professor of emergency medicine, received the Rising Star Leadership Award, which recognizes early-career physicians within five years of service who have made meaningful contributions to UW Health through leadership, clinical excellence and service beyond their department.
Tsuchida was honored for his systemwide work to advance equity, patient care and workforce development across UW Health and the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, as well as his efforts to foster social impact and belonging.
Since joining the department in 2021, he has contributed to UW Health initiatives focused on reducing disparities in preventive care, including cancer screenings and childhood immunizations. He has also helped develop faculty training on responding to microaggressions that several clinical departments have adopted.
As assistant dean for multicultural affairs for health professions learners at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, Tsuchida oversees mentorship, pathway and coaching programs for students and trainees, including Building Equitable Access to Mentorship and Rural and Urban Scholars in Community Health. His work focuses on strengthening Wisconsin’s future health care workforce by expanding pathways into the health professions and supporting students who have been historically underrepresented in the field.
Nationally, Dr. Tsuchida represents Wisconsin in leadership roles within the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, the Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine, and the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Sharp and Tsuchida were recognized during a reception for honorees and their families on May 20 in Madison.