Q&A with Andrew Steinfeldt, MD (he/him), assistant professor, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Educational background: I obtained my bachelor’s degrees in biology and health sciences at the University of Minnesota Crookston before attending the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health for my medical degree. I completed my pediatrics residency at Oregon Health & Science University and pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at Phoenix Children’s, where I led pediatric case-based simulations and quality improvement initiatives at Indian Health Service facilities throughout Arizona.
Do you have an area of clinical interest, and how did you get into it? I have a strong interest in Native health and pediatric readiness. I have strong roots to Native communities, as I am an Oneida descendent and grew up on the Oneida reservation near Green Bay. While in medical school, I was involved with the UW’s Native American Center for Health Professions (NACHP) and did multiple clinical rotations with the tribal health clinics. This helped spark my desire to continue working with the Native community long term. Most recently, I have been involved in an IHS-hybrid simulation program [in Arizona] that aims to improve care for Native children. I hope to continue this line of work in Wisconsin.
What attracted you to UW–Madison? As a Wisconsin Native, I was drawn back to be closer to family, but also because of the relationship and support systems in place. I will once again be able to work with NACHP and give back to the communities in which I was raised.
What do you hope trainees will learn from you and your work? I hope that trainees will learn the importance of working as a team and developing long-term relationships to improve the care for a population. I hope to serve as a role model to provide quality and compassionate care.
Do you feel your work relates to the Wisconsin Idea — that our efforts should influence people’s health and well-being beyond the care they receive in our emergency departments? If so, please describe how. I believe that making an effort to improve the access and quality of care to Native/rural communities is the epitome of the Wisconsin idea. I hope to slowly work on this initiative and believe it will lead to a healthier population overall.
My first job: Bus Boy at Los Banditos
My most unusual job: I spent a summer roofing homes and businesses.
What are your favorite things to do in the Greater Madison area? I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, camping and look forward to having fried cheese curds.
My hobbies and other interests outside of work: Hiking, camping, fishing, and partial owner of the Green Bay Packers.
If you could have dinner with one person (passed, alive or fictional), who and at where would you make reservations? Forrest Gump — Dinner at his mother’s Bed and Breakfast.