Martin

Makela

MD, FAAEM, FACHE

biography

Martin Makela, MD is a board-certified physician with an interest in emergent management of sickle cell anemia. He has been the Medical Chief of Staff of the UW Medical Center since 2019 and the Medical Director of the Montlake Campus Emergency Department since 2011. Dr. Makela holds the rank of Clinical Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at UW School of Medicine. He has received the Seattle Top Doctor award by Seattle Met Magazine and the UWMC CARES Award for exemplifying UW Medicine Service Culture Guidelines.

Dr. Makela earned his M.D. at the UW and returned to Seattle after retiring from a 22-year career in the US Navy.  He served as a Naval Flight Officer, Naval Flight Surgeon and Emergency Physician. He received the Navy Air Medal for flights in support of Operation Southern Watch and the Bronze Star for leading a Shock Trauma Platoon as an Emergency Physician in Fallujah, Iraq. He has lectured nationally on "Trauma and Teamwork" and is TeamSTEPPS Instructor.

Dr. Makela is known for his sense of humor, his dedication to patient care and to maximizing the performance of the entire Emergency Department team when he is on shift.

Education & Training

• MD, University of Washington School of Medicine (1995)
• Internship, Tripler Army Medical Center (1996)
• Internship, Naval Flight Surgeon School (1997)
• Residency, Emergency Medicine, Naval Medical Center, San Diego (2004)

Research & clinical Interests: 

Research

• Head Injury
• Naval Flight Surgery

publications