Very popular! They take roughly 40 students per year and make their decisions each November in the year PRIOR to your elective (they only take 4th year medical students). We suggest you apply very early. You can even apply online!
Course contact: Jeff Daniels, MD
www.docsky.us
Cornell Medical College
Spring Semester: Combined four-week program, with 2 week Wilderness Medicine Elective in New York, and 2012 Field Portion in Costa Rica. April 30-May 12, 2012
Fall Semester: A combined four-week Emergency Medicine/Wilderness Medicine Elective with 2 weeks in New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Emergency Department, and 2 weeks backcountry in the Adirondack Mountains. Fall 2012 dates: September 24-October 21, 2012
3rd & 4th year students
Course contact: Jay Lemery, MD
http://www.cornellwm.org/
Johns Hopkins University
Held for 2 weeks each Spring in beautiful Catocin Mountain Park in western Maryland. A combination of didactic lectures, simulation training, practical demonstrations and outdoor group scenarios/exercises.
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/emergencymedicine/residency/wilderness_medicine.html
Medcor at Yellowstone National Park
2 to 4 week rotations for medical, PA and NP students available from June 1 to August 31 every summer. These electives are for junior/senior students who have completed a medical and/or surgical clerkship. Applications are accepted from Oct 1st the preceding year (for the 2013 elective, applications will be accepted as early as Oct 1st 2012). For students interested in practicing in an austere setting seeing patients with primary care, emergency and wilderness related conditions in a national park setting (Yellowstone Clinics). For more information, contact:
Elective Director: Luanne Freer, MD lfreer@medcor.com
NOLS Medical Student Elective - Medicine in the Wild
The NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI) and the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency (HAEMR) are pleased to partner for "Medicine in the Wild", an elective for third and fourth year medical students. Offered each spring, this elective utilizes an extended NOLS wilderness expedition in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico to offer an integrated curriculum focusing on wilderness medicine, leadership, outdoor skills and effective medical education. For more information please visit http://www.nols.edu/wmi/courses/medicineinthewild.shtml
UCSF Fresno
This 2 week elective is a combination of classroom didactics and hands on training in the Sierras/Yosemite Park. Major topics in wilderness medicine are covered.
Course contact: Lori Weichenthal, MD
http://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/undergrad/wilderness_medicine.html
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Takes place in May each year. 3 weeks (evolutions): The first evolution will be Alpine and will take place on Mount Pfiefferhorn, the second will be White Water on the Green River/Desolation Canyon, and the last will be Desert in Canyonlands National Park. Additional opportunities for first and second year medical students. Apply at least 1 year in advance. Approximate cost is $2000.00, excluding transportation to Utah.
Course contact: kerri.o'keefe@umassmed.edu
http://www.umassmed.edu/wildmedintro.aspx
University of Nevada
"Survivor Las Vegas"
An intense wilderness medicine experience will cover a comprehensive spectrum of topics including hands-on practical wilderness outdoor workshops, backcountry outdoor experiences, wilderness improvisation, rescue training, wilderness medicine scenarios, as well as interesting lectures and presentations. Course participants will have an opportunity to accumulate both core and elective credit to become a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. 2 week elective, with optional 2 week rotation within the Department of Emergency Medicine.
Next Course: March 24 - April 7, 2012; March 23 - April 6, 2013. Application required (available on website), 15 slots total (apply early).
Contact: Dr. Vicki Mazzorana; drmazz@snwms.org
Website: http://www.snwms.org/survivor/2012/survivor2012.html
University of New Mexico
Wilderness, International, and Improvisational Medicine Elective. A course that will permit you to overcome preconceived ideas and notions, become better clinicians, and to believe in yourself and others; it is our intention to make this a mentally and physically demanding course. Designed for physicians, residents, and medical students. All participants must have completed six weeks of medicine, six weeks of surgery, and another month of a primary care specialty rotation. 4 week elective. Further information and course topics available on website. FAWM credit available, students will receive Diploma in Mountain Medicine (UIAA).
Next Course: April 2 - April 29, 2012; March 2 - 29, 2013. Application required (fills the summer before), 20 slots total, $595 for 2013.
Contact: Dr. Darryl J. Macias; dmacias@salud.unm.edu
Website: http://hsc.unm.edu/emermed/W_Med/Wilderness_med_72009.shtml
University of South Carolina
The South Carolina Wilderness Medicine Course is now in its 14th year and continues to grow and improve. Open to fourth year students and residents of any specialty, the course involves several components including classroom instruction, outdoor laboratory sessions and a 4-5 day wilderness excursion involving rescue scenarios, canoeing, hiking, and camping. Fundamentals of search and rescue, survival training and wilderness emergencies will be practiced and reviewed. Plenty of leisure time is set aside for day hikes, rafting, canoeing, fishing, or just reflecting on the days adventures. By the end of the course the participants should have an understanding of the epidemiology, physiology and clinical practice of Wilderness, Environmental, and Travel Medicine.
Next Course: August 27 to Sept 21, 2013. 28 slots total (10-12 residents, 15-18 students).
Contact: Robin Dolge, (803)-434-3319; Steve Stanfield, sstanfield@sc.rr.com
Website: www.scwildernessmed.com
University of Utah
This course is taught both on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City and in incredible Moab, Utah. Will include both lectures and practical skills sessions with scenario training. Students will certify in Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS). 2 week elective, but accomodations available for students requiring a 4 week experience (Ohio State, Michigan, others).
Upcoming Courses: April 8 - 20, 2013.
Contact: Dr. Richard Ingebretsen; richi47@comcast.net, (801)-554-2129
Website: http://awlsmedstudents.org/studentelective.html
University of Virginia
This intensive course will introduce students to the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical practice of Wilderness Medicine: the care of patients in austere environments lacking typical health care resources, often under harsh conditions. Course will be taught using traditional lectures, human simulation, course reading assignments, and multiple practical workshops. 2 week elective. Further information and course schedule available on website.
Upcoming Courses: October 8 - 20, 2012; March 18 - March 30, 2013. Visiting students must apply through the Visiting Student Application Service (VSAS), 15 slots total.
Contact: Dr. Nathan Charlton; npc8a@virginia.edu
Website: http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/emergency-medicine/medtox/education/wilderness
Wilderness and International Electives for Medical Students
Sponsored by the Wilderness Medical Society and USUHS. The most comprehensive wilderness course in existence located in the Great Smoky Mountains, TN
Course directors: Christian Sloane, MD and Thomas Kessler, MD
wms.org/education/elective.asp
Wilderness Medical Associates Canada
A medical school elective designed for med students who are interested in learning about applications and research for remote and untraditional patient care contexts. Our goal is to teach practical patient evaluations and treatments and focus on topics that are not routinely emphasized in medical school curricula. 1 week elective open to all levels of medical student; multiple course locations.
Upcoming Courses: July 15 - 23, 2012; August 4 - 12, 2012; August 14 - 22, 2012.
Website: http://www.wildmed.ca/wilderness-medical-courses/medical-professionals/wilderness-medical-elective.php
RESIDENTS (adapted from ACEP)
Big Sky Resort, Montana
Very popular! Currently taking more than 10 residents and fellows each year, mostly during the four months of the ski season.
Course contact: Jeff Daniels, MD
www.docsky.us
Grand Canyon Clinic
This is a 4-6 week rotation for 3rd year residents (EM, IM or FP) providing remote urgent and ambulatory care for canyon visitors. Recommended to take place between April and August (highest visitor volume).
Contact: Sean Clendaniel
www.nps.gov/grca
Grand Teton National Park- Search and Rescue
Opportunities exist to work directly with paramedics, rotate through the emergency department (senior residents preferred), and to work with the local search and rescue team. Mid-summer and ski season tend to be the best months because they are busy. There is no formal program at this time, so a resident’s interests and plans will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Contacts: Will Smith, MD, EMT-P Willmd911@mac.com (307)699-0230 (cell) AJ Wheeler, MD, FACEP wheelerdoc@mac.com (307)699-2287 (cell)
Medical Staff Coordinator / Rotation Coordinator: Jody McGill, CPCS, RHIT jmcgill@tetonhospital.org (307)739-7514 (office) (307)413-2999 (cell) (307)739-7513 (fax)
www.wildmedconsulting.com
Stanford University
Residents work in remote outposts in Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Ethiopia.
Contact: Kelly Murphy, MD
UCSF Fresno
There is a program offered every other January where residents are involved in training National Park Rangers to become park paramedics..
Contact Lori Weichenthal, MD
http://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/em/parkmedic/
University of Virginia
This intensive course will introduce students to the epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical practice of Wilderness Medicine: the care of patients in austere environments lacking typical health care resources, often under harsh conditions. Course will be taught using traditional lectures, human simulation, course reading assignments, and multiple practical workshops. 2 week elective. Further information and course schedule available on website.
Upcoming Courses: October 8 - 20, 2012; March 18 - March 30, 2013. Visiting students must apply through the Visiting Student Application Service (VSAS), 15 slots total.
Contact: Dr. Nathan Charlton; npc8a@virginia.edu
Website: http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/emergency-medicine/medtox/education/wilderness
RESIDENCIES (with a Wilderness Medicine Track)
Central Maine Medical Center- Family Practice
This 3-year longitudinal program allows residents to become skilled in clinical, research, and educational aspects of wilderness medicine. The program includes funding for textbooks, elective travel expenses, WMS membership, and the Wilderness Advanced Life Support (WALS) course. Electives may be done at with the local ski patrol (Sunday River, ME), or other locations with advanced planning. Residents also travel each year with the Himalayan Health Exchange.
Contact: Bruce Kenney, DO
kenneyb@cmhc.org
207-795-2818
http://www.cmmcfmrp.org/wimp.html
Montana Family Medicine Residency
Intensive 3-year wilderness medicine training track with rotation opportunities in Yellowstone National Park, Red Lodge, Big Sky and others locations in and outside the United States. Further opportunities include a WALS course, wilderness medicine conferences, research and writing.
Jeseph Keel, MD
http://www.mfmr.org/
RACES
MedWAR
Races take place in five locations across the country.
Contact: Michael Caudell
www.medwar.org
Racing the Planet
RacingThePlanet events are unique, rough country footraces over seven days and some 250 kilometers in remote and culturally rich locations around the world. Competitors must carry all their own equipment and food and are only provided with water for drinking, tents for sleeping, and access to professional medical and operations teams for support. RacingThePlanet is international; the events typically involve competitors from more than 40 countries. RacingThePlanet events consist of the 4 Deserts, a series which includes the Atacama Crossing (Chile), the Gobi March (China), the Sahara Race (Egypt) and The Last Desert (Antarctica), as well as a fifth event which roves to a new location each year. The roving races have previously taken place in Vietnam, Namibia, Australia and Nepal.
The next roving races are scheduled for Jordan in May 2012 and Iceland in August 2013.
Senior EM residents and fellows with an interest in providing sports medicine care in remote areas of the world would gain invaluable experience on the care of endurance athletes and logistics for coordinating such care. You must be willing to travel to remote areas of the world, fit enough to hike 10 to 20 km, camp for 7 days, and obtain your own malpractice insurance. Flight costs are supplemented, and lodging is paid.
Contact: Brian J. Krabak, M.D., M.B.A
bkrabak@racingtheplanet.com
info@racingtheplanet.com
www.4deserts.com
PAST ELECTIVES:
*May not be available at this time or unable to confirm current dates, please contact directly for more information.
Uganda Social Medicine Course
Month long on-site immersion course in social medicine that was previously offered at Lacor Hospital in Gulu, Uganda. This intensive course intersects the study of clinical medicine in a resource-poor setting with social medicine topics such as globalization, war, human rights, and narrative medicine, among others. Plans for this year’s course are currently being finalized.
If you have any questions or are interested in applying, please email us at social.medicine@yahoo.com.
University of Nebraska School of Medicine & Belize Institute for Tropical & Wilderness Medicine & GMRS Ltd
Wilderness Medicine, International Health, Wilderness Rescue, Wilderness Survival Rotations in Belize and around the world. All are sponsored for credit by U of Nebraska Medical Center
Course contact: info@gmrsltd.com
http://www.gmrsltd.com/2008WildernessExpeditionMedicine2.htm
Wilderness Medicine in Alaska
Sponsored by SUNY Upstate New York Medical College, Wilderness Education Association, and the Denali Education Center, AK. This course is open to anyone, and generally about half are medical students.
Course directors: Thomas Welch, MD (Lead Instructor) and Jodi Rodwell (Course Coordinator)
www.denali.org
www.adirondoc.com