Q&A with Emmy Hakes, MD (she/her), assistant professor of emergency medicine
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Educational background: I attended DePauw University for my bachelor’s of music. After performing and working in marketing for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for several years, I started taking night classes at a local community college. I was initially interested in psychology — in developing meaningful connections with people to help them grow. However, I became fascinated with neurobiology and neuroscience and decided to complete the medical prerequisites at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I then obtained my Doctor of Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix and moved to Wisconsin to complete my emergency medicine residency at the UW Hospitals and Clinics in Madison, where I served as chief resident in my final year.
I stayed with the Department of Emergency Medicine for a couple more years, completing a fellowship in ED operations, administration, and quality, where I served as assistant medical director for the Madison VA Hospital emergency department during that year.
Do you have an area of clinical interest, and how did you get into it? My primary interest lies within addiction medicine, which developed during my time practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Unfortunately, the prevalence of opioid and alcohol use disorders are quite high there; to better meet the needs of this population, I participated in several operational and educational within the department. I love how patient-centered addiction medicine is and find the relationship that develops when you’re able to overcome someone’s distrust of the medical system to be particularly profound.
Having come from an arts background and now being an emergency physician, I think medicine uniquely blends both the humanities and scientific study. I’m grateful to have found my path to this field.
What attracted you to UW–Madison? Having already experienced UW as a resident, fellow, and faculty member, I recognize the organization’s commitment to delivering exceptional care, creating a supportive culture, and providing excellent resources to clinicians. Not to mention, Madison is a pretty great place to live.
What do you hope trainees will learn from you and your work? I hope to reduce the stigma and bias associated with substance use disorders to tackle health inequities and reduce barriers to seeking care. By augmenting addiction medicine education, trainees will be better equipped to provide these patients with effective and compassionate care.
My first job: Cashier at a barbecue restaurant
My most unusual job: Fast-pitch softball umpire
What are your favorite things to do in the Greater Madison area? I love to hike with my dog and appreciate how many well-kept trails there are just minutes away from home. This time around, I want to spend more time on the water of one of the many Madison-area lakes, having just spent the last four years in the desert!
My hobbies and other interests outside of work: In New Mexico, I became a certified master gardener and look forward to learning about horticulture in a new region of the country. I also studied classical voice in college and still like to sing and participate in/attend arts programs as much as I can. However, I’m also a homebody and love spending time with my husband (Gray), dog (Chuck), as well as our six cats and three pigs on our hobby farm in Stoughton.