David Tillman

David Tillman is an Associate Professor at the BerbeeWalsh Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. As Associate Dean for MD Admissions, he leads medical student recruitment and admissions while maintaining active roles in clinical care and education. He previously served as Director of Medical Student Education in Emergency Medicine, fostering its popularity among students.

• Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Madison (Neurobiology)
• Medical School: Ohio State University College of Medicine
• Residency: University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics
• Fellowship: University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics (Undergraduate Medical Education)

Dr. Tillman specializes in medical education with a focus on mentorship, simulation-based learning, and curriculum development. His work addresses challenges in medical education from the learner's perspective, including standardized advising systems and entrustment considerations in residency programs. He actively participates in national initiatives through the Clerkship Directors in Emergency Medicine (CDEM) and the Emergency Medicine Consult Service.

His 15 most recent publications center on medical education innovations, simulation training, documentation proficiency, and residency program design. These works emphasize improving medical student readiness for residency, optimizing clinical decision-making tools, and refining mentorship structures in academic emergency medicine.

• Faculty Award for Excellence in Leadership & Service (Ripple Award) (2025)
• Clinical Science Teaching Award – Madison (2025)
• Gold Humanism Honor Society (2024)
• Simulationist of the Year (2024)
• Young Educator Award (2021)
• Faculty Award for Excellence in Clinical Care (2017)
• Inaugural Provider of the Quarter Award (2017)
• Residency Awards for Clinical Care and Education (2015-2014)
• Outstanding Resident in Emergency Medicine (2015-2014)

Dr. Tillman serves clinically as an emergency medicine physician at University Hospital and as a flight physician with UW Health Med Flight. He leads the Emergency Medicine Interest Group (EMIG) to expose students to the specialty early in their training.