At the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine, we conduct innovative, transdisciplinary research that bridges discovery and clinical practice — leveraging data science, emerging technology, and systems-based approaches to improve patient outcomes and transform the future of emergency medicine. We are also deeply committed to developing investigators who are dedicated to generating new knowledge and advancing patient care and outcomes.
In FY25, we have been awarded $22.6 million to support our work and were competitively ranked among academic departments of emergency medicine for federally funded research.
Guided by the Wisconsin Idea and strengthened by local and global partnerships, our research bridges the lifespan — from pediatric to geriatric emergency care — with considerable attention to vulnerable populations. We also advance medical education through research and provide scientific investigators with a cadre of cutting-edge services for clinical research studies.
Research Productivity
#15
National rank for NIH research funding in emergency medicine (FY22)
$22.6M
Awarded research funds
(2024-25)
132
Peer-reviewed research publications
(2024-25)
Our Scholarly Areas of Focus
Dementia and Aging Research
Investigate care models and interventions that improve geriatric emergency medicine and care transitions for older adults with cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer's disease and lucidity in dementia.
Prehospital Medicine and EMS Systems
Research strategies to optimize emergency medical services, focusing on education and training, medical protocols, quality improvement, and patient outcomes.
Clinical Informatics and Decision Support
Explore the application of informatics tools and artificial intelligence to enhance clinical decision-making and operational efficiency in emergency departments.
Health Equity and Disparities
Examine social and structural factors contributing to inequities in emergency care and develop interventions to improve health outcomes for all.
Emergency Care for Infectious Diseases
Study and develop strategies and resources for improving infectious disease diagnosis and antibiotic prescribing in the emergency department.
Medical Education and Training
Innovate educational programs and curricula to prepare the next generation of leaders in academic emergency medicine.
"To conduct innovative emergency care research, with a focus on clinical and translational studies that advance the health and health equity of the people of Wisconsin and beyond."
—Department of Emergency Medicine research mission
Emergency Medicine Research News
Grants & Recognition
UW–Madison ranks 6th nationally for research
November 26, 2024
Jessica Schmidt named a 2024-2025 Fulbright U.S. Scholar
September 16, 2024- More grants and recognition news
Research & Innovation
Recruiting & Enrolling Patients into Research Studies
ED Research Coordinator Program
Our Emergency Department Research Coordinator (EDRC) Program is a cutting-edge resource available to academic and industry researchers that places highly trained staff members in the emergency department to screen, consent, and enroll patients and visitors into research studies and complete research protocols.
The program aims to support the conduct of high-impact clinical and translational research by providing investigators with a range of research and consultative services.
Recent Publications
*Due to PubMed processing times, the latest publications may not yet appear.
Have questions?
Contact a member of our team:
Maria Balbach
Research Program Administrator
mbalbach@medicine.wisc.edu
Jessie Libber
Research Program Administrator
jslibber@medicine.wisc.edu
Phoebe Natzke, MS
Research Services Manager
pnatzke@medicine.wisc.edu