Undergraduate School
- BS, University of New Mexico (NM) (2016)
Internship
- Oregon Health & Science University (2022)
Residency
- Oregon Health & Science University, Internal Medicine (2025)
Fellowships
- Oregon Health & Science University, Addiction Medicine (2026)
Department
Medicine-Hospital MedicineProfessional Titles
- Assistant Professor
Recognitions
- Contribution to Resident Scholarship Award, Oregon Health & Science University (2026)
- Good Catch Award, Good Catch Committee & Promise Work Group, Portland VA Hospital (2025)
- The John A. Benson Jr. Award for Humanism, Oregon Health & Science University (2025)
- Advocacy, Community Engagement, and Social Justice Award, Oregon Health & Science University (2024)
- Special Acknowledgement in First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 2021, First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 (2021)
Research Interests
Addiction medicine and substance use disorders, with particular interests in opioid use disorder, alcohol use disorder, 7-OH/kratom use, stimulant use disorder, harm reduction, medications for addiction treatment, addiction medicine in hospitalized patients, substance use and co-occurring medical and psychiatric conditions, medical education, and narrative medicine.Publications
- Fenske E, Williams B, Hallock-Koppelman L, Buchheit BM. Buprenorphine for the Management of 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) Use: A Retrospective Case Series. J Addict Med. 2026 Jun 1. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 42225057
- Fenske E. Alcohol is one of the most dangerous drugs, yet its presence is ubiquitous in social settings and celebrations. The Conversation. 2026.
- Fenske E. Addiction affects your brain as well as your body – that’s why detoxing is just the first stage of recovery. The Conversation. February 12, 2026.
- Fenske, Emma L. Kratom vs. 7-OH: Understanding the potency gap and risks. KevinMD. 2026. https://kevinmd.com/2026/03/kratom-vs-7-oh-understanding-the-potency-gap-and-risks.html
- Fenske, Emma L. Fentanyl Is here. Safe consumption sites should be too. Portland Tribune. 2026. https://portlandtribune.com/2026/03/23/opinion-fentanyl-is-here-safe-consumption-sites-should-be-too/
- Fenske, Emma L. Living Loss. SGIM Forum. 2026. Vol 49. Num. 2.
- Fenske, Emma L. Divorced during residency: a story of clarity. KevinMD. 2025. https://kevinmd.com/2025/11/divorced-during-residency-a-story-of-clarity.html
- Fenske, Emma L. Why women doctors are still mistaken for nurses. KevinMD. 2025. https://kevinmd.com/2025/06/why-women-doctors-are-still-mistaken-for-nurses.html
- Fenske, Emma L. Why blaming doctors won’t fix the U.S. healthcare crisis. KevinMD. 2025. https://kevinmd.com/2025/03/why-blaming-doctors-wont-fix-the-us-health-care-crisis.html
- Fenske, Emma L. Prometheus and Modern Medicine: Illuminating Humanity through the Fire of Suffering and Hope. SGIM Forum. 2025. Vol 48. Num. 2.
- Fenske, Emma L. Silent Echoes: Surrendering in the Wake of Loss – A Patient’s Perspective. On The Hill. 2025. https://www.onthehillnm.org/poetry/silent-echoes-surrendering-in-the-wake-of-loss-a-patients-perspective
- Fenske, Emma L. The political crossroads shaping the future of medical training. KevinMD. 2024. https://kevinmd.com/2024/12/the-political-crossroads-shaping-the-future-of-medical-training.html
- Fenske, Emma L. Navigating the Intricacies of Medical Training Amid a Shifting Political Landscape. Portland Tribune. 2024. https://www.portlandtribune.com/opinion/opinion-navigating-the-intricacies-of-medical-training-amid-a-shifting-political-landscape/article_b5791b28-b334-11ef-8dd3-9b625e331d69.html#tncms-source=signup
- Fenske, Emma L. What I Did Not Expect To Learn From Residency. SGIM Forum. 2024. Vol 47. Num. 4. 16. https://www.sgim.org/article/what-i-did-not-expect-to-learn-from-residency/
- Fenske, Emma L. Demystifying Stigma Surrounding Addiction In An Era Misinformation and Crisis in Oregon. Portland Tribune. 2024. https://www.portlandtribune.com/opinion/opinion-demystifying-stigma-surrounding-addiction-in-era-of-misinformation-and-crisis-in-oregon/article_96644288-e7a3-11ee-a62c-efca143d2227.html
- Fenske, Emma L. Doctors Are Human. SGIM Forum. 2023. Vol 46. Num. 10. 8-15. https://connect.sgim.org/viewdocument/doctors-are-only-human
- Fenske, Emma L. "So, You Are a Chiropractor?": Unpacking the Often Unintentional Blows of Unawareness of Osteopathy. WIM Forum. 2023. https://www.wimedicine.org/blog/unawareness-of-osteopathy.
- Fenske, Emma L. Beyond the Bottle. In-Training. 2021. https://in-training.org/beyond-the-bottle-21607.
- Fenske, Emma L. Social Distancing vs. Social Isolation. In-Training. 2020. https://intraining.org/social-distancing-vs-social-isolation-19608.
- Fenske, Emma L. Ver el Mundo. Global Health Student Organization (GHSO) Compass. 2020. 1: 24-25.
Professional Memberships
- American College of Physicians (ACP), Member
- American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), Member
- American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI), Member
Practice Locations
UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCH)12605 E. 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-0000
Specialty Information
Specialties- Internal Medicine, Board Certification
- Hospital Medicine
- Addiction Medicine
- American Board of Internal Medicine, Board Certification (2025)
Clinical Interests
My clinical interests include addiction medicine and hospital medicine, with a focus on narrative medicine/medical humanities, substance use disorders, medications for addiction treatment, withdrawal management, harm reduction, and the care of patients with co-occurring medical and substance use conditions.
Care Philosophy
I believe in providing compassionate, evidence-based care that treats the whole person. I strive to create a psychologically safe and non-judgemental environment where patients, learners, and colleagues feel heard and supported in making decisions. My approach emphasizes shared decision-making, harm reduction, and meeting patients where they are while helping them work toward their goals.
My clinical interests include addiction medicine and hospital medicine, with a focus on narrative medicine/medical humanities, substance use disorders, medications for addiction treatment, withdrawal management, harm reduction, and the care of patients with co-occurring medical and substance use conditions.
Care Philosophy
I believe in providing compassionate, evidence-based care that treats the whole person. I strive to create a psychologically safe and non-judgemental environment where patients, learners, and colleagues feel heard and supported in making decisions. My approach emphasizes shared decision-making, harm reduction, and meeting patients where they are while helping them work toward their goals.
Public Speaking
Yes
Yes