Addendum, 2/1/2024: Dr. Ryan Tsuchida was appointed Assistant Dean on a permanent basis in January 2024.
The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (UW SMPH) announced the appointment of Ryan Tsuchida, MD, as the interim Assistant Dean of the Office of Multicultural Affairs for Health Professions Learners, effective August 1, 2023.
In this role, Dr. Tsuchida, assistant professor of emergency medicine and chair of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee in the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine, will provide leadership, vision, and oversight to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts for the school’s five health professions degree programs and accredited residency and fellowship programs administered by UW Health and the school.
Dr. Tsuchida expressed enthusiasm for his appointment along with his commitment to promoting an equitable and inclusive learning community in remarks to the school. “I have been continually impressed with the UW SMPH’s commitment to building a better and more equitable future,” he said. “That starts with supporting the most diverse student body we have ever seen.”
Dr. Tsuchida earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School. He also completed his emergency medicine residency at the University of Michigan and served as chief resident his final year. Prior to joining the Department of Emergency Medicine faculty in 2021, Tsuchida completed certificates focusing on advanced education in quality and safety, medical education, and health care administration.
Since joining the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Tsuchida has implemented several equity, diversity, and inclusion-focused initiatives in the Department of Emergency Medicine, serves the school and hospital on key diversity committees, and is a faculty mentor to underrepresented medical students through the school’s Building Equitable Access to Mentorship (BEAM) program.
“His expertise in developing curricula and programs to advance equity and inclusion in clinical and academic environments and support the success of all learners has been invaluable to our department and the broader institution,” said Manish N. Shah, MD, MPH, professor and chair, BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine.
Dr. Tsuchida brings a wealth of experience, scholarship, and expertise in diversity and inclusion to the Assistant Dean position through a robust background in medical education engagement and quality improvement initiatives. He has held leadership positions for the SAEM’s Equity and Inclusion Committee and Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine (ADIEM) and is currently the ADIEM Membership Committee Chair.
His dedication to fostering a diverse team of future healthcare providers and advocating for health equity has been recognized with several distinguished awards, including the 2021 Outstanding Future Academician Award from the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM), and the inaugural Dr. Arno Kumagai Award for Excellence in Institutional Change to Promote Health Equity, Social Justice, and Compassionate Care, awarded in 2021 by the University of Michigan Student Diversity Council. Dr. Tsuchida was also the recipient of the 2023 Faculty Award for Excellence in Leadership & Service from the Department of Emergency Medicine.
As he takes on the interim Assistant Dean position, Dr. Tsuchida looks forward to engaging with students across health professions programs within the UW School of Medicine and Public Health and to expand the reach and impact of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. He plans to collaborate closely with other offices and programs within and beyond academic affairs to create an inclusive, supportive environment that fosters a sense of belonging and promotes the success and well-being of learners from diverse backgrounds.
“We are excited for Dr. Tsuchida to take on the learner-centric Assistant Dean role at this time,” said Elizabeth M. Petty, MD, senior associate dean for academic affairs. “He is clearly an emerging leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion at our institution, as well as in the national academic medicine arena.”