Mary C. Westergaard

Credentials: MD

Position title: Professor (CHS)

Email: mcwester@medicine.wisc.edu

Website: Department of Emergency Medicine

Phone: (608) 265-0165

Professional headshot of a woman with shoulder-length blonde hair, wearing a black blazer and black top, smiling in front of a grey background.

As a viola performance major in college, I entered medicine from a non-science background. Though imposter syndrome was a constant companion, I also appreciated that I had bypassed many of the pre-med stressors my classmates had endured. Twenty years later as faculty, I began learning mandolin, and it continues to be a surprisingly significant source of joy in my daily life. Over my career, music has served to help me maintain perspective, connect to my core values, and remember the challenges and joys of learning something new. As an educator and mentor, I enjoy advising students on connecting with their values and “true north” in a way that will sustain them throughout their careers. I believe that the humanities play an important role in supporting wellbeing, connectedness & career longevity.