In 2024, the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine marked a decade of outstanding patient care, education, and research as an academic department at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
The department’s journey from humble beginnings began in 2006, when Dr. Azita G. Hamedani joined the school’s faculty and soon established its emergency medicine residency program — just the second of its kind in the state. Over the next 19 years, unprecedented growth transformed emergency medicine at UW–Madison from a small division into a national leader in academic medicine.
Founded with a vision to advance emergency care through innovation, education, and research, the department has rapidly expanded its clinical footprint, now caring for more than 120,000 patients annually. With a commitment to excellence and visionary philanthropic support, the department has pioneered numerous clinical and operational innovations, while also shaping the next generation of emergency physicians and researchers.
Every step the department takes toward progress is guided by the belief that health care should respect the dignity of each patient, in addition to treating illnesses and injuries. This patient-centered philosophy is reflected in the department’s holistic care, particularly for vulnerable populations, ensuring that emotional and psychological well-being is always considered alongside physical health.
The first ten lifesaving years of the department are featured in the latest issue of Quarterly, the official magazine of the Wisconsin Medical Alumni Association.
As it celebrates 10 years as an academic department, the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine’s commitment to remarkable health care will continue to drive it forward, always focused on turning adversity into opportunity and improving emergency care in Wisconsin and beyond for decades to come.