Nicholas Kuehnel, MD

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Vice Chair of Clinical Operations
Division Chief, Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Clinical information Publications

EDUCATION

Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Medical School: Medical College of Wisconsin
Residency: Northwestern University of Feinberg School of Medicine – Pediatrics
Fellowship: Medical College of Wisconsin – Pediatric Emergency Medicine

Dr. Kuehnel is the Vice Chair of Operations for the Department of Emergency Medicine. In this role, he leads strategic and operational planning for the department’s emergency and prehospital services. Dr. Kuehnel also serves as Chief for the Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, working closely with a team of pediatric faculty and specialists to advance academic and clinical efforts to improve the care of children at the Pediatric Emergency Department at American Family Children’s Hospital. Prior, Dr. Kuehnel led the UW Health Kids quality program as the inaugural Medical Director for Quality and Safety since 2021, where he worked collaboratively with leaders and staff across the pediatric system of care to integrate safety, quality, and experience efforts related to pediatric patients with the broader UW Health system.

Dr. Kuehnel has held several leadership roles within the Department of Emergency Medicine, first serving as Medical Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine upon joining the department in 2017. Given his strong interest and work in quality improvement and patient experience, he has also served as Medical Director of Performance Improvement and contributed to graduate medical education by leading the resident quality rotation and the Administration, Quality, and Leadership Fellowship program. Dr. Kuehnel’s teaching and mentorship extends beyond the department, and he has served as a Quality Improvement Coach with the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Forward curriculum for medical students.

Dr. Kuehnel obtained his bachelor of science in biology and certificate in business at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He attended medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) and, subsequently, completed his pediatrics residency at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital with the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine before returning to MCW and Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin for a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship.

Outside of work, Dr. Kuehnel enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys, golfing, running, and exploring the many amazing aspects Madison has to offer.

SELECT AWARDS & HONORS

Safety Leadership Award, UW Health (2023)
Physician Leadership Development Program Participant, UW Health (2022-2023)
Rising Star Clinical Excellence Award, UW Health (2021)
Faculty Award for Excellence in Clinical Care, BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine (2019)

ACTIVE RESEARCH

Clinical Decision Support for Early Detection of Deterioration in Hospitalized Children
Funding Source: NIH/NHLBI R01HL173037
Role: Co-Principal Investigator
Duration: 05/2024–03/2029
Aim: Develop a clinical decision support tool that is accurate, interpretable, and actionable for early detection of cardiopulmonary deterioration events in children.