Karl Willmann, MD

Karl Willmann, MD, is a UW Health anesthesiologist and an associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He cares for patients who are undergoing surgery or diagnostic procedures for a wide variety of diseases and disorders.

Dr. Willmann administers anesthesia, using sedatives that keep patients in a sleep-like state and prevent them from feeling pain during surgery. He cares for patients before and during surgery, monitoring brain activity, breathing and vital signs throughout their procedures. He continues to monitor patients as they awaken and recover from the effects of the anesthesia.

Dr. Willmann cares for patients who are having surgery for neurological conditions. These disorders include spine and brain tumors, aneurysms, movement disorders, epilepsy or other conditions affecting the brain, spine and nervous system. He provides care using advanced neurosurgical techniques, therapies and neuro-monitoring technologies.

In addition to his clinical and teaching roles, Dr. Willmann conducts research to advance anesthetic care. His recent research projects include studying new techniques to support breathing in critically ill patients receiving anesthesia. He also evaluates the effectiveness of new technologies such as electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring devices.