The BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine is proud to announce the promotions of six distinguished faculty members, recognizing their outstanding contributions to clinical care, education, leadership and public health.
Faculty in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health are employed within distinct career tracks, including clinical health sciences (CHS) and clinician teacher (CT).
Christine Butts, MD — Professor (CHS)
Dr. Christy Butts is deeply committed to teaching and clinical practice, having made significant impact on both national and global stages. Before joining UW–Madison as a visiting professor, Dr. Butts established and led a comprehensive point-of-care ultrasound program at Louisiana State University. She regularly shares her ultrasound expertise at global conferences and through educational outreach. Dr. Butts also serves as associate editor for the prominent Roberts & Hedges emergency medicine textbook and engages tens of thousands of readers monthly with her ultrasound column in Emergency Medicine News, one of the nation’s largest news magazines for emergency medicine physicians.
Andrew Cathers, MD, DRTM — Associate Professor (CHS)
Dr. Drew Cathers has made an enduring impact on institutional leadership and teaching through his dedicated service as Medical Director for UW Health Med Flight. Under his guidance, Med Flight has significantly enhanced its responsiveness and capacity to treat critically ill patients throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest. Beyond the UW, Dr. Cathers has received international recognition in the critical care transport and retrieval medicine community for his dedication and leadership in the field of prehospital medicine. He is board certified in Emergency Medicine and EMS and one of the few American doctors to hold a faculty appointment with the world-leading Anesthesia, Trauma, and Critical Care Course.
Marin Darsie, MD — Associate Professor (CHS)
Dr. Marin Darsie’s commitment to excellence spans clinical care, teaching and research. As UW Health’s first dual-trained emergency medicine and critical care physician, Dr. Darsie has been instrumental in advancing neurocritical care at the UW Hospitals and Clinics, as well as at multiple critical access hospitals in Wisconsin and Illinois through her dedication to tele-ICU support. She authored the widely utilized “Pocket Guide to Neurocritical Care,” now in its third edition. Dr. Darsie is also a passionate advocate for health equity and social justice, continually embodying her mantra: “Make a difference, no matter how small.”
Jeffrey Pothof, MD, MMM — Professor (CHS)
Dr. Jeff Pothof has demonstrated steadfast leadership and service to public health, significantly impacting UW Health and communities across Wisconsin. As Chief Quality Officer, he has spearheaded initiatives to improve patient safety, quality and affordable care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he emerged as a trusted public health authority, recognized as one of the UW’s “Heroes of the Pandemic” and making hundreds of media appearances to inform and reassure the public — outreach he continues weekly to keep local communities informed on breaking health news. His leadership continues to elevate standards of care and foster a resilient and safety-focused culture across the region.
Gregory Rebella, MD, MS — Clinical Professor
As a founding member of the pediatric emergency medicine program at UW Health Kids, Dr. Greg Rebella has profoundly shaped pediatric care across Wisconsin and Northern Illinois over the past 17 years. He is a frequent lecturer on a wide range of pediatric conditions as well as being active in medical simulation and procedure training. Further, Dr. Rebella has developed award-winning health care technology with clinical and educational applications, exemplifying his innovation and commitment to excellence and compassionate care.
Brian Sharp, MD — Professor (CHS)
As the institution’s first Patient Safety Officer and current Medical Director for Patient Safety and Quality, Dr. Brian Sharp is a staunch advocate for both patients and providers. His efforts to enhance quality and reporting systems have led to critical impacts on patient care and provider well-being, through initiatives like CaresTeam, which supports providers after difficult clinical cases. His dedication to institutional leadership and medical education, including holding roles as Associate Residency Program Director and Administration Fellowship Director, has left a lasting imprint on generations of emergency medicine physicians.