WMS Student/Resident Elective
**Elective registration is full. Please email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.**
New for 2024: This year we are piloting a new expedition-based model for both the student and resident electives. Participants will spend time in VA, WV and NC participating in experiential learning, high-fidelity simulation and didactics. Learning will take place in unique environments ranging from ski slopes and caves to boats, rivers, trails and vertical climbing environments. Participants will master both in-field and in-hospital patient care. For more details please email: [email protected] or [email protected].
Tuition includes meals, lodging, high-quality education, one year of WMS membership, and FAWM credits for the elective. Some gear rentals and optional activities may involve additional costs.
When
4-week Student/Resident Elective: January 29th - February 21st, 2024
2-week Advanced Resident Elective: February 8th – February 21st, 2024
Who
The WMS Elective is designed for third and fourth year medical students, residents, 2nd year PA students, 2nd year NP students and senior nursing students who are enrolled in a program at an accredited or internationally recognized allopathic/osteopathic medical school, PA school or nursing school, or residency program in the US and abroad.
Four-week WMS Student/Resident Elective
Designed for third and fourth year medical students, residents, 2nd year PA students, 2nd year NP students, and senior nursing students. Students must be proficient in English in order to qualify for consideration (see below). This elective provides four weeks of instruction including:
- Small group discussions of wilderness scenarios
- Formal lectures of Wilderness Medicine principles and specific topics by leaders in the field
- Instruction in survival and pre-hospital patient assessment and evacuation
- Wilderness Emergency Medical Responder Course
Two-week WMS Advanced Resident Elective
The WMS Advanced Resident Elective is designed for residents with a passion for wilderness medicine and is appropriate for residents with prior wilderness medicine experience including prior participation in student wilderness medicine electives, WFR courses, AWLS courses or other structured wilderness medicine activities. Residents should have wilderness travel experience including backpacking and be comfortable leading others into the backcountry. The four-week elective experience is more appropriate for those residents new to the field of wilderness medicine.
The goal of the two-week WMS Advanced Resident Elective is to develop physician leaders and educators in the field of wilderness medicine. Residents will also be able to work towards their Fellowships in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) and practice in-hospital care of wilderness emergencies with high fidelity simulation. Residents will also develop educational skills by designing and carrying out scenarios for medical students participating in the concurrent WMS Student Elective. Residents from all specialties are welcome!
- Small group discussions of wilderness scenarios
- Formal lectures of Wilderness Medicine principles and specific topics by leaders in the field
- Instruction in survival and pre-hospital patient assessment and in hospital care
Where
Offered in association with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine at Wilderness Adventure in New Castle, VA.
Diversity and Discrimination
The WMS does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or political affiliation. A reasonable attempt will be made by the WMS selection committee to maintain gender diversity within the class. All class slots will be filled with quality applicants.
Safety and Risk Management
The Wilderness Medical Society and Wilderness Adventure faculty are committed to providing a safe and rewarding elective experience. However, all risk from injury cannot be eliminated. Course work will involve individual activities in rugged terrain, remote locations and bad weather. Leadership, planning, and conduct of these activities with respect to these risks is an important part of the elective educational experience. Good physical and mental conditioning is vital to successful completion of the course.
Students will be responsible for providing, maintaining, and transporting their own equipment. They might be expected to sleep outdoors on some nights (if home location allows) and care for themselves in extreme weather conditions.
