Emergency medicine offers an ideal blend of adrenaline, teamwork and purpose, according to Dr. Corlin Jewell, assistant professor and director of medical student education.
Drawn to the dynamic and fast-paced nature of the emergency department (ED), he says the specialty’s greatest strength lies in the people who practice it. “I love that the cornerstone of ED teams is working together to overcome every possible challenge and situation,” he says. “It’s a big part of what drove me to the specialty.”
Jewell’s journey into medicine began at the Indiana University School of Medicine and led him to the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics for his emergency medicine residency. He served as chief resident in his third year before completing a medical education fellowship with the department and staying on as academic faculty in 2021.
Today, Jewell divides his clinical time between the emergency departments at UW Health and William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital. He also leads the Department of Emergency Medicine’s medical student education efforts, helping to create high-quality clinical and advising experiences for a diverse group of learners. A key focus, he notes, has been standardizing emergency medicine training across the UW’s statewide clinical sites to ensure every student benefits from consistent, high-caliber education.
Teaching and mentorship are at the heart of Jewell’s work. “I’m most passionate about providing our students and residents with the tools they need to become excellent physicians,” he says. His scholarly interests include residency recruitment, curriculum design and the critical transition from medical school to residency.
Driven by his passion for shaping the next generation of emergency physicians, Jewell is currently pursuing a Masters in Health Professions Education at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
Reflecting on his proudest moment as an emergency physician, Jewell recalls the first time he treated a patient with severe anaphylaxis during his intern year. “It was one of the first times I was able to have such a dramatic personal impact on a patient’s care,” he says, describing the lifesaving administration of epinephrine that turned a terrifying situation into a recovery.
For Jewell, motivation comes from both his patients and his colleagues. “Seeing the great need our community has for immediate access to health care keeps me invested, and I’m constantly inspired by my fantastic ED team, who always deliver their best,” he says. He also carries with him advice he once received: to always reserve some emotional energy for patients in crisis, recognizing the importance of being a steady presence during their most vulnerable moments.
Outside of the hospital, Jewell enjoys traveling with his wife Christina, taking their dog Echo to Madison’s many dog parks, sailing on Lake Mendota with the UW Hoofers Sailing Club, and building detailed models — including the LEGO® Star Wars™ X-Wing and A-Wing starfighter sets that decorate his office.
At UW–Madison, Jewell says the sense of community within the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine is what he cherishes most. “I work with the absolute best people,” he says. “We all come together to advance the health of our community — and the future of emergency medicine itself.”