David Tillman, MD

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS HELD

Associate Dean for MD Admissions, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Clinical information Publications

EDUCATION

Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
Residency: University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics – Chief Resident
Fellowship: University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics

Dr. David Tillman’s career interests center on medical student and resident education and include mentorship, simulation, and curriculum development. As Associate Dean for Admissions for the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Dr. Tillman leads the school’s distinguished recruitment and admissions efforts for the medical degree (MD) program, with a vision for recruiting medical students with exceptional promise.

Prior to joining the UW School of Medicine and Public Health leadership, Dr. Tillman has engaged in exemplary and enthusiastic service to the school since joining the faculty of the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine. As Director of Medical Student Education, he led emergency medicine to be one of the most highly sought specialties in the school, and was pivotal in advancing and evolving the emergency medicine curriculum and clinical experience for students. He has served in consequential leadership roles with the school, including on the ForWard Curriculum Steering Committee, Statewide Campus Direction Committee to improve and support educational experiences at clinical sites across Wisconsin, and the Acute Care Block Design Team. Dr. Tillman also led the Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG), which introduces medical students to the field of emergency medicine early in their training and fosters students’ interest in the specialty.

Notably, Dr. Tillman also directed strategic planning for medical student advising and education in emergency medicine, developing an excellent, individually tailored and highly successful student advising system. Dr. Tillman has led national efforts to create standards for Emergency Medicine advising for residency application and review. He currently sits on the national Executive Committee of Clerkship Directors in Emergency Medicine (CDEM) and leads the Advising Students Committee in Emergency Medicine Consult Service. Through these roles, he has presented and published work that has shaped the conversation surrounding challenges of medical education from the learners’ perspectives.

Dr. Tillman graduated with a bachelor of science in neurobiology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He earned his medical degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his emergency medicine residency at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, where he also served as chief resident. Further honing his expertise, he completed a fellowship in undergraduate medical education in emergency medicine at UW before joining the faculty in 2016. In addition to his academic responsibilities, Dr. Tillman serves clinically as an emergency medicine physician at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics and flight physician with UW Health Med Flight.

AWARDS & HONORS

• Gold Humanism Honor Society (2024)
• Simulationist of the Year, UW Health Clinical Simulation Program (2024)
• Young Educator Award, SAEM Clerkship Directors in Emergency Medicine (2021)
• Faculty Award for Excellence in Clinical Care, BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine Award (2017)
• Inaugural “Provider of the Quarter” Award. BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine Award (2017)
• Residency Award for Excellence in Clinical Care, BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine Award (2015)
• Residency Award for Excellence in Education, BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine Award (2015)
• Outstanding Resident in Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (2015)
• Residency Award for Excellence in Education, BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine Award (2014)
• Outstanding Resident in Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health (2014)