Q&A with Colleen Andrews, MD, MPH (she/her), assistant professor of emergency medicine in the Division of Global Health
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Educational background: Dr. Andrews completed her medical degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and her emergency medicine residency and chief residency at Stroger Hospital of Cook County. She then pursued fellowship training in global and local health equity at Boston Medical Center, with a focus on immigrant/refugee health and women’s health. She also completed a master of public health degree at Columbia University. While at the UW SMPH, Dr. Andrews participated in the Training in Urban Medicine and Public Health (TRIUMPH) program, which integrates community, clinical, and public health skill development for medical students dedicated to working in underserved communities.
Do you have an area of clinical interest, and how did you get into it? I am passionate about improving health equity for historically marginalized populations through collaborative, interdisciplinary, community-based work. I am particularly interested in women’s health, at both the local and global levels. I believe the right to health is a human right, yet this is unfortunately not the reality for many people. My interest in health equity began as an MPH student in global health, where I worked on maternal and child nutrition projects and recognized disparities in access to quality health care. I continued this focus throughout my medical training, and am excited to contribute to the already impactful work of the Global Health Division here at UW.
What attracted you to UW–Madison? The people. I was attracted to the energy and welcoming environment in the department. I knew UW would be a place where I would be supported but also challenged to reach my potential, with opportunities for mentorship and professional growth. UW–Madison’s focus on global and public health, and the department’s focus on global health, align well with my academic interests. Wisconsin is also home, and I’m excited to be near family and friends here.
What do you hope trainees will learn from you and your work? It is an incredible privilege to do the work that we do in the emergency department. I hope that trainees remember to keep their work patient-centered and consider each case from the patient perspective.
Do you feel your work relates to the Wisconsin Idea as it relates to medicine — that our efforts should influence people’s health and well-being beyond the care they receive in our emergency departments)? Definitely — in order to address health inequities, we have to understand upstream structural factors and how these factors shape health outcomes.
My first job: Cater waiter
What are some things you’re exciting to do/visit/try, being new to the Madison area? Anything outside! Spending time along the lakes, the farmers’ market, the terrace, UW sports, and trying new restaurants.
My hobbies and other interests outside of work: Yoga; cooking; running; travel; my book club; and spending time with friends, family, and my boyfriend, Estevan, a PhD student in the UW–Madison College of Education.