Jennifer Woodard, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor 
Hospital Medicine

What is your primary professional focus as it relates to our mission areas (clinical, research and/or medical education)?  
I am mainly involved in the clinical space and the hospital setting. I work as a general hospitalist, a consultant on the acute care for the elderly (ACE) team, and as a rounding physician for the home-based hospital (HBHC) service. In the education space, I will also be the associate program director for the Geriatrics fellowship this coming year. My interests are in quality improvement, narrative medicine, interprofessional education and communication, and patient experience.

What drew you to UW–Madison and the Department of Medicine?   
I was really excited to take on a role that let me be involved in different clinical settings that aligned with my interests and values, and I felt like UW–Madison in particular made it easy for me to blend my skill set in geriatrics with hospital medicine. There is so much opportunity to be involved in any facet of academic medicine here!

What are you most excited about during your first year with the department in this role?  
I am excited to get to know the other faculty and trainees and further develop my clinical skills.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?  
I have been learning to sail this summer which has been very fun! I’ve also been having fun exploring all that Madison has to offer—from the bike trails to Olbrich Botanical Gardens and all the events around the city! You can also find me trying out new restaurants or catching some live music or theater.

Favorite piece of advice from a mentor or inspiring figure in your life?  
As a self-described “chronic ‘yes’ person,” I appreciate being reminded that “no” is a complete sentence—but that it is still okay to say yes to opportunities that align with your values and bring you joy!