Madison Tiffany Watkins
Madison Watkins is a seasoned healthcare professional with over 30 years of experience spanning clinical care, health system management, and academic medicine. She currently serves as a Fellowship Program Coordinator at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where she plays a vital role in graduate medical education, program administration, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Throughout her career, Madison has remained committed to operational excellence and creating supportive environments for patients, providers, and learners alike.
Prior to her role at OSU, Madison spent over 25 years at VCU Health in Richmond, Virginia, holding multiple leadership positions, including Service Center Manager. Her broad professional background also includes experience in emergency care as a paramedic and a strong academic foundation, holding a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Liberty University and a Bachelor's in Psychology from Hampden-Sydney College. Her career reflects a deep dedication to improving healthcare systems and supporting both patient outcomes and provider development.
Beyond her professional achievements, Madison is actively engaged in diversity, equity, and inclusion work through committees such as the OSU Gender Affirming Care Committee and the Health Equality Index Workgroup. She also contributes to causes she’s passionate about, having volunteered as a foster parent for over 16 years and offering peer support through the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Madison is recognized not only for her leadership and service but also for her unwavering commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care.
• Goal Setting: Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)
• Using Mindfulness to Help with Goal Setting
• Liberty University
• Hampden-Sydney College
• Equitas Health Institute / Equitas Health
• Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine
What do you attribute your success to?
I began my healthcare career in 1992 and have been fortunate to grow across clinical, operational, and academic settings over the past three decades. After many impactful years at VCU Health, I joined The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to pursue greater work-life balance and opportunities for professional development in graduate medical education. I currently manage three cardiology subspecialty fellowship programs, overseeing day-to-day operations, compliance with ACGME standards, and support for fellows. I was honored to receive the 2024 GME Outstanding Program Coordinator Award in my first year, which reflects my dedication to excellence and program success.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the healthcare and academic medicine fields is to never stop learning—pursue education relentlessly and stay curious. Surround yourself with mentors and peers who challenge and support you; the guidance I've received from mentors at Ohio State has been instrumental to my growth. Mentorship is a two-way street—we learn just as much about ourselves as we do from those we guide. Prioritize education, build strong networks, and stay open to opportunities that push you forward.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in healthcare and academic medicine today is navigating ongoing funding cuts, which directly impact research, education, and patient care. We're also facing critical workforce shortages, particularly among nurses, which strain our healthcare systems and affect quality of care. Additionally, there's important work to be done around LGBTQ inclusion—barriers still exist for professionals and patients alike, and advancing equity in these spaces remains both a challenge and a significant opportunity for growth and systemic change.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Openness, respect for diverse cultures, and a commitment to lifelong learning are values that guide both my personal and professional life. My early experience as an EMS provider taught me the importance of resilience and frontline compassion—lessons that continue to shape how I show up as a leader and mentor in healthcare. I'm also a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, and I've been proud to contribute to equity-focused initiatives at both Ohio State and VCU Health through employee resource groups that foster belonging and systemic change.