Erin O'Donnell, MD

Dr. O’Donnell is an attending physician in the emergency department at Children’s Wisconsin. Her research focuses on mental and behavioral health as it relates to the emergency department (ED). Her previous work explored the problem of mental and behavioral health patients boarding in the ED. She is currently invested in determining ways to improve the emergency care provided to patients presenting in acute mental health crisis as well as connecting them to appropriate outpatient follow-up. With a strong interest in the effects of socioeconomic factors on health, she is also exploring the relationship between childhood adversity and exposure to violence on mental health. Lastly, within the mental health patient population, she is taking a special focus on work related to suicidality among youth. Dr. O’Donnell enjoys collaborating and joining efforts among different healthcare disciplines to enhance the care we provide to all patients, but especially our more vulnerable populations.