Madison365 has named Dr. Ryan Tsuchida, assistant professor of emergency medicine, one of Wisconsin’s 38 Most Influential Asian American Leaders for 2024. The recognition reflects his significant contributions to cultural humility and accessible healthcare for all.
The list, published annually, aims to shine a spotlight on the dedicated leaders of Wisconsin’s Asian American communities. This year’s list includes elected leaders, business leaders and community leaders, doing difficult, important work, often in the face of discrimination and despite generations of oppression.
Madison365, a nonprofit online news publication, has published annual power lists recognizing Wisconsin leaders from different racial and ethnic groups since 2015.
This recognition has given Tsuchida a moment to reflect on his identity and how it has informed him to this day. “History provides us with many important lessons and motivates us to strive for a better future,” he says. “I am reminded of the experience of my grandfather who, as a child, was forcibly relocated and incarcerated during World War II because he was a Japanese American. This inspires me to work toward a better, collective future.”
Recognizing that healthcare is not one-size-fits-all, Tsuchida is a vocal advocate for incorporating cultural awareness into medical training and practice. As Assistant Dean for Multicultural Affairs for Health Professions Learners at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, he is passionate about creating opportunity for underrepresented and historically marginalized students in medicine.
“Dr. Tsuchida’s leadership in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion continues to make such meaningful impact here,” says Shiva Bidar-Sielaff, associate dean for diversity and equity transformation, UW School of Medicine and Public Health, and vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, UW Health. “I am honored to partner with him as we continue to embed these values within our clinical, teaching and research activities.”
Early Leadership
Tsuchida began his career at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned his undergraduate degree in psychobiology. He pursued his medical degree and completed his emergency medicine residency at the University of Michigan Medical School, serving as Chief Resident in his fourth year.
During residency, he distinguished himself by participating in the University of Michigan’s Healthcare Administration Scholars Program and the Community for Medical Educators in Training certificate program. These experiences provided him with a robust foundation in medical education, scholarship, and healthcare administration.
One of Tsuchida’s notable early contributions was developing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) curricula within his residency program and the broader graduate medical education framework at the University of Michigan. His leadership in integrating these crucial values into medical training helped to set a precedent for future educational programs.
Advancing EDI in Wisconsin
Recruited by the University of Wisconsin in 2021, Tsuchida joined the Department of Emergency Medicine faculty with a clear mandate to advance the department’s commitment to EDI. As Co-Chair of the EDI Committee, he led strategic planning and numerous initiatives, including co-developing a program for historically disadvantaged students to gain hands-on emergency medicine experience early in their training and establishing the department’s first EDI-focused newsletter, Diversity Digest.
In August 2023, Tsuchida began serving as assistant dean with the Office of Multicultural Affairs where he champions EDI values for the school’s five health professions programs. He also mentors underrepresented medical students through the school’s Building Equitable Access to Mentorship (BEAM) initiative.
Professor and Chair of the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Manish Shah, notes how Tsuchida’s efforts have significantly contributed to the department’s clinical, research, education, and health equity missions. “We expect our faculty to be game changers in their field. Dr. Tsuchida is absolutely committed to driving academic medicine forward, both at UW and beyond.”
Broader Influence
Tsuchida’s influence extends beyond the university. He has held key positions within the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine’s (SAEM) Equity and Inclusion Committee and the Academy for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Medicine (ADIEM), where he currently serves as Secretary-Treasurer. His work in these roles has been pivotal in shaping scholarship and initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in emergency medicine nationally.
Recognition
Tsuchida has received several awards, including the inaugural Dr. Arno Kumagai Award for Excellence in Institutional Change to Promote Health Equity, Social Justice, and Compassionate Care, awarded by the University of Michigan Student Diversity Council. He also received the 2021 Outstanding Future Academician Award from ADIEM and the 2023 Faculty Award for Excellence in Leadership and Service from the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine. These accolades reflect his impactful work and dedication to fostering an inclusive and equitable healthcare environment.
Dr. Tsuchida’s recognition by Madison365 underscores his commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare, highlighting his significant impact as an educator, mentor, and leader.
*Meet the nineteen current and former UW–Madison faculty, students, and staff who are among “Wisconsin’s Most Influential Asian American Leaders for 2024,” as chosen by Madison365.