Q&A with Michael Smaglick, MD, assistant professor, Division of Critical Care
Hometown: Brookfield, Wisconsin
Educational/professional background: I earned my MD from the Medical College of Wisconsin and completed pediatrics residency, pediatric critical care fellowship, and a one-year ECMO instructorship at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
Previous position: Assistant Professor, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine / Texas Children’s Hospital
What is your field of research or area of clinical care? I am interested in pediatric ECMO, inflammation, thrombosis and hemostasis, and sepsis.
How would you describe your work to a 5-year-old? I take care of sick kids whose hearts and lungs need help doing their jobs.
What attracted you to UW–Madison? Family, weather, and the outdoors.
What is your favorite thing to do in Madison? Spend time outdoors with my wife, our two young daughters, and the rest of our family.
What’s one thing you hope trainees will learn from you and your work? Empathy; enjoying our work and the people we work with, even in stressful and challenging times.
Do you feel your work relates to the Wisconsin Idea? If so, please describe how. Education is a critical part of health care, especially in the ICU — for patients, their families, and all members of the health care team. Every interaction is an opportunity for shared understanding.
What’s something interesting about your area of expertise you can share that will make us sound smarter during video chats and parties? Early ECMO equipment incorporated polyethylene tubing typically used in the dairy and beer industries.
What are some of your hobbies and other interests? Cooking, gardening, running, and traveling.