Elizabeth Townsend, MD, PhD

Elizabeth Townsend, MD, is an anesthesiologist at UW Health. Dr. Townsend provides general anesthesia and monitored anesthesia care for people undergoing a variety of surgeries and medical procedures.

Understanding that patients are often anxious about receiving anesthesia, Dr. Townsend views her role as the guardian of the operating room. She became an anesthesiologist to help put patients at ease, work as part of a perioperative team and prioritize education and research to advance the field of medicine.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Townsend is an assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. As a researcher, she studies the interactions between respiratory viruses, the immune system and the airways to help people recover from asthma attacks or even to prevent them.

Outside of work, Dr. Townsend enjoys spending time with her husband on their hobby farm.

My patient care philosophy is simple: You are the most important part of my day.