Dr. Robert Tillotson, DO, RDMS, FACEP, FAAEM

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Get to know Emergency Physician Dr. Robert Tillotson, who serves patients throughout the State of Wisconsin.

“I never take lightly the privilege to be on the front-line, helping people in their time of crisis.” says seasoned emergency physician Dr. Tillotson. “Being the caring, determined advocate for the patient in their time of greatest need is both humbling and rewarding” 

In the early days of his academic career, Dr. Tillotson earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency in Emergency Medicine at Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Tillotson achieved fellowship status from both the American College of Emergency Physicians (FACEP), and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (FAAEM). Unwavering in his commitment to his specialty, Dr. Tillotson has been board-certified in Emergency Medicine for over 30 years by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM): an organization that provides board certification to qualified doctors who specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of acutely ill patients (emergency physician).

Dr. Tillotson is now a Consultant Physician and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine for Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic has a physical presence in 44 communities in southern Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and northeastern Iowa known as the Mayo Clinic Health System (MCHS). MCHS clinicians bring the knowledge and expertise of Mayo Clinic to these communities, ensuring their patients receive world-class health care close to home. Dr. Tillotson’s primary clinical practice is at the MCHS in Wisconsin, caring for patients in the Eau Claire, Barron, and Menomonie areas. 

In addition to his clinical duties, Dr. Tillotson’s work at Mayo Clinic focuses on education and ultrasound. He is the Education Chair for Emergency Medicine in the Northwest Wisconsin (NWWI) region of MCHS. Dr. Tillotson is currently developing a Procedure Lab and Simulation Center at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. This facility will be equipped with models and simulations that allow various health care professionals to practice and develop skills essential to the execution of excellent medical care.

Not only does Dr. Tillotson specialize in Emergency Ultrasound, he is a nationally recognized expert with over 20 years of experience in Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS). Obtaining his Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (RDMS) certification in 2004, he has been active in nationwide emergency ultrasound education. Additionally, he is a contributor to the national policies and guidelines for emergency ultrasound, as established by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). Dr. Tillotson has served on various national committees on emergency ultrasound for almost two decades, including chairing the Community Practice Ultrasound Subcommittee and the Advanced Practice Providers Ultrasound Subcommittee for ACEP; Dr. Tillotson currently sits on four national committees on ultrasound. At Mayo Clinic, he is Vice Chair of the Mayo Clinic Point of Care Ultrasound Committee, Chair and Ultrasound Director for POCUS in NWWI, Ultrasound Director for MCHS Emergency Departments, Ultrasound Director for NWWI Emergency Medicine, Ultrasound Director for Advanced Care at Home, and is the course director for the Mayo Clinic APP Ultrasound Courses and Emergency Clinicians Skills Day.

Although accomplished in many areas, Dr. Tillotson’s motivation is based on one guiding principle. “Everything I do is about patient care. I found over my career that at the bedside, I impact one patient and their family. By teaching other providers, I can help impact hundreds of patients by ensuring that they receive the same quality of care I give my own. By engaging nationally in emergency medicine protocol development, I help to improve patient care and outcomes of thousands of patients I will never meet.” When asked, Dr. Tillotson states, “My legacy in emergency medicine will always be the hands I’ve held, the hearts I’ve touched, and the patients I’ve served.”

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