The first moments of a child’s medical emergency can shape their outcome — and their future. That’s why Dr. Michael Kim has spent nearly two decades focused not only on what happens in the emergency department, but what happens long before.
As Pediatric EMS Medical Director for the UW Health EMS Consortium, he works closely with emergency medical services (EMS) throughout Dane County and beyond to ensure first responders are trained, equipped and confident in treating critically ill and injured children — from roadside to hospital hand-off.
“Children aren’t just small adults,” Kim explains. “Their problems are often quite different and need specialized equipment, tailored medications, and a different level of emotional support for both them and their families.”
Since 2008, Kim has also co-chaired the Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program, a statewide initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. His outreach and education efforts aim to build pediatric readiness, especially in rural emergency departments and EMS systems. “No matter where a child lives in Wisconsin, they deserve access to high-quality emergency care,” he says.
Kim’s passion for emergency medicine began during his pediatrics training. Drawn to the dynamic, high-stakes environment of the emergency department, he was inspired by the specialty’s unique role as the first to assess, intervene and stabilize patients. “Emergency Medicine is where the rubber meets the road,” he says. “We’re often the first — and sometimes the only — point of contact for families in crisis.”
That frontline responsibility is especially critical for EMS providers, Kim says. Whether recognizing subtle signs of illness or managing trauma at the scene, first responders are a vital link in a child’s survival. His work emphasizes both technical skill and emotional intelligence, preparing providers to act quickly, communicate clearly and provide reassurance in high-pressure moments.
One of Kim’s proudest initiatives is a statewide grant project aimed at improving pediatric care in rural and community hospitals. As a co-investigator, he’s focused on identifying readiness gaps and helping local care teams build partnerships and implement solutions to ensure more consistent, high-quality care across emergency care spectrum.
For Kim, pediatric EMS is deeply personal. He recalls a moment early in his career when a mother approached him in the emergency department, years after he had treated her infant son. “She hugged me and said I gave her strength when she had none,” Kim remembers. “She told me I was one of the five people she hoped to meet in heaven. I’ll never forget that.”
Today, in addition to caring for patients at American Family Children’s Hospital, Kim continues to mentor junior faculty and champion pediatric EMS improvement statewide. “Patients and families wait hours for our expertise and trust us with their most vulnerable moments,” he says. “That trust is a privilege — one we should never take for granted.”
For Dr. Kim, pediatric EMS isn’t just a field of practice. It’s a mission — one that’s helping ensure every child in Wisconsin gets the care they need, from the moment help arrives.