Ciara Barclay-Buchanan, MD

LEADERSHIP POSITION

Chief Medical Officer, UW Health University Hospital

Clinical information Publications

EDUCATION

Undergraduate: Michigan State University – Lyman Briggs College
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
Residency: Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University Sinai-Grace Hospital – Chief Resident

Dr. Ciara Barclay-Buchanan completed her training in emergency medicine at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit, Michigan where she served as chief resident. Upon graduation, she joined the faculty at Wayne State University, serving as the Emergency Medicine Clerkship Site Director for both Wayne State University and Michigan State University at Sinai-Grace Hospital. She then served as the Associate Residency Director for the Emergency Medicine program at Sinai-Grace Hospital before joining the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Wisconsin as the Associate Residency Program Director.

Dr. Barclay-Buchanan distinguished herself as a leader in emergency department operations and graduate medical education at UW. After working with the residency program, she became Vice Chair of Operations, where she led the Quality, Operations, and Leadership Team (QOLT) and partnered with others to deliver high-quality and efficient emergency medical care. As of 2023, Dr. Barclay-Buchanan transitioned to a hospital-level leadership role as Chief Medical Officer for UW Health’s University Hospital. In this role, Dr. Barclay-Buchanan will work collaboratively with hospital leadership to direct the hospital’s focus on health equity; clinician well-being; advancing education; and the pursuit of better health, improved outcomes, and lower costs. Her responsibilities extend to overseeing Medical Staff Administration and Graduate Medical Education, further strengthening the institution’s commitment to clinical excellence and education.

Her areas of interest include departmental operations, patient experience, peer review, trauma care, education, and mentorship. She has authored and edited several emergency medicine textbooks. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring Wisconsin with her husband and two boys.

RECENT HONORS & AWARDS

• Physician Excellence Award in Clinical Leadership, UW Health (2023)
• Ripple Award for Leadership & Service, BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine (2022)
• Recent Alumni Award, Wayne State University School of Medicine (2017)