Wilderness Medicine Electives (for Students & Residents)

The WMS Resident/Student Subcommittee of the Education Committee serves to provide resident physicians, and students in the healthcare fields with educational opportunities within the realm of wilderness medicine. The committee maintains an up-to-date list of available medical clerkships/rotations, courses and other resources that can enrich your wilderness medicine knowledge base.

If you know of other wilderness medicine electives available that are not currently listed, please contact Melissa Day with additional information. 

WMS Electives 

Program Name Duration Eligibility Contact Person Additional Information
BreckWild Four week elective in April / May Senior Medical Students

Lara Phillips MD, FAWM

Josh Rudner, DO, DiMM

 Breckenridge Wilderness and Environmental Medicine Elective for 4th Year Medical Students.
Appalachian Wilderness Resident Elective Two week elective Designed for residents who are enrolled in a program at an accredited or internationally recognized residency program in the US and abroad. Carver Haines, MD, FAWM, DiDMM, DiMM The course is offered in association with the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and is based in the Blue Ridge Mountains area of Roanoke, VA. Registrants will spend time in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Roanoke, VA, with day trips outside the area.

 

 

Non-WMS Electives (for Students)

Program Name Duration Eligibility Contact Person Additional Information
Columbia University Four week elective in September 4th year students with priority to Columbia students  Raleigh Todman  The course focuses WM core content, as well as a general approach to resource-limited care, including disaster response and hospital preparedness. The first three weeks are on our medical campus in Manhattan, the final week (M-F) is a backcountry experience (previously canoe camping in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. 
Cornell Medical College Two week elective 4th year students

Christopher Hennessy

Johnathan Kamler

The medical student elective in wilderness and environmental medicine is designed for fourth-year medical students in the fall. This two-week elective involves both classroom-based and field-based learning, covering a breadth of topics such as accidental hypothermia and frostbite, heat illness and heat stroke, high-altitude medicine, animal and insect bites, poisonous plants, injuries and illnesses during expeditions, diving and submersion injuries, search and rescue, field water purification and basic survival in wilderness or disaster settings. The classroom component is based in New York City, at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine. The field component is taught in collaboration with Cornell Outdoor Education and takes place in wilderness settings or natural parks, such as New York State’s Adirondack Mountains. Students hike and camp while participating in realistic, simulated rescue-scenarios, under the close and supportive teaching of faculty preceptors. Beyond practical medical skills, students also develop a sense of teamwork, leadership, and self-reliance, all while appreciating the beauty of nature. A level of fitness to engage in daily hiking, paddling, or outdoor activities, under a wide range of weather conditions, is expected.

 
Georgetown University M4 (not accepting visitors) Chole McCoy Wilderness Medicine elective in DC/MD/WV held every Spring with climbing, camping, canoeing, and local fire/rescue collaborations. 
GWU Two week elective John LaFleur, MD A two-week elective consisting of lectures, practical skills and a 6-7 day backpacking trip in the woods. The course is intended to expose students to the practice of medicine in wilderness/austere environments. This course covers basic topics in wilderness medicine including various forms of exposure as well as search and rescue, dive, and high altitude medicine (among others). No prior experience with any aspect of wilderness/wilderness medicine is required. 
Maine Medical Center Runs in September.  There are two weeks in the ED at Maine Medical Center followed by two weeks in the backcountry of Maine Open to M4 and visiting students with two spaces for Residents Garreth Debiegun, MD, FAWM, FACEP The MMC Wilderness Medicine Elective is probably the oldest elective in the country, having been run since 1993. It is unique in that it is the only elective taught entirely in the backcountry.
MedWARs Race dates active and accessible on their website
Mount Sinai: Icahn SOM. New York. Two week elective   Adam Hill, MD This is an elective that pairs web-based education with in-field, hands-on training covering the fundamentals of wilderness medicine and outdoor skills. During the first week (Monday to Friday), students will have self-directed learning requiring them to watch on-line videos, read articles, and complete daily quizzes. This will be supplemented by 1-2 in-person/video educational sessions during the week. The second week (Saturday to Friday) will be field training located in the Delaware Water Gap. Students will camp and backpack along the Appalachian Trail while faculty and residents from the Mount Sinai system lead lectures, small group discussions, and practical scenarios. Students are expected to actively participate in all portions of the course.
NC Wilderness EMS Externship Four week elective Available for M4 Students or residents Seth Hawkins Basic info on elective content: This is a unique experiential education training in wilderness EMS. Externs spend their month training in the field throughout North Carolina, including insertion onto EMS teams on Ocracoke Island deep in the Atlantic, with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians EMS, and throughout the state between those two extremes. Aside from developing expertise and a lecture on a single clinical topic, the remainder of the training is experiential and learned from the real-world events unfolding in an esse quam videri model. Other experiences include attendance at the Carolina Wilderness EMS Seminar, Summit, a wilderness swim safety training, whitewater rescue training, weeklong training in technical mountain rescue at Pilot Mountain State Park, a week on the Outer Banks, with the month culminating in serving on the medical management team for the famous Barkley Fall Marathon in Frozen Head State Park (TN). This award-winning rotation is often cited as the best month of medical school/residency by its participants, and only two Externs are selected each year for an intimate mentoring experience.
NEOMED Three week elective Available for 4th year medical students at NEOMED Kevin Watkins Covers environmental conditions, lifts/carries/litters, splints, tourniquets, med kits, and legal concerns
NOLS Medical Student Elective - Wilderness Medicine for the Professional Practitioner Two day elective EMTs, nurses, PAs/NPs, medical students, physicians [email protected]  

On our two-day Wilderness Medicine for the Professional Practitioner course, you'll learn to apply your existing medical knowledge in a new way to manage a patient in a wilderness, remote, or disaster setting. Variable course dates. 
NOLS Medical Student Elective - Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professional   EMTs, nurses, PAs/NPs, medical students, physicians
 [email protected] Learn to improvise equipment, deal with challenging environments, and make difficult decisions with confidence on your Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals course. You'll learn to apply your urban emergency care knowledge to the wilderness through case studies and practical scenarios with mock patients. Our seasoned instructors will guide you through five days of intense, hands-on learning to make sure you are prepared in the wilderness. Variable course dates, 48hr in duration in total.
Texas A&M: Corpus Christi Texas at Christus Spohn Hospitals This medical elective, based at Christus Spohn Hospitals in Corpus Christi, Texas, provides hands-on training in emergency and wilderness medicine through didactic lectures, simulation exercises, and field scenarios. Students will develop skills in resuscitation, austere environment medical management, and search and rescue while gaining exposure to real-world challenges such as natural toxins, border health concerns, and extreme environmental hazards. Unique experiences include field trips to the National Natural Toxins Research Center, a Border Patrol facility, and Padre Island National Seashore, enhancing students' understanding of medical care in remote and resource-limited settings.
University of Arizona
  Contact Students will learn to plan, organize, triage, diagnose, and treat patients in austere or impromptu environments. Didactic lectures will be in the classroom, and practical sessions will be held in the wilderness. The didactics will be Monday through Friday the first week and Monday through Thursday the second week. Class will typically be in the morning. Throughout the course, students will be broken into smaller groups to encounter scenarios wherein they take charge, assign roles, and apply learned skills. The final practical session will occur near Molino Basin Campground, about an hour from Tucson.
UC San Diego Four week elective  

Beckett Kirk

Christanne Coffey

 This elective equips students with critical thinking, hands-on training, and improvisation skills to provide high-quality care in austere environments with limited resources. Offered twice a year (blocks 5 and 12) for 4–16 students, the course includes three weeks of lectures, journal discussions, and simulations at UCSD and surrounding areas. The final week features field training in Joshua Tree (spring) or Big Bear/Idyllwild (fall), with outdoor simulations, camping, hiking, and optional backcountry overnight experiences.
UCSF Fresno Two week elective   [email protected] This course is a great introduction to wilderness medicine. The first week is spent in a didactic setting, covering the major topics in wilderness medicine.  In the second week, we head to the wilderness of the Sierra Nevadas to implement the knowledge we have gained to many practical scenarios, including basic preparedness, search and rescue, and wilderness improvisation.
University of Colorado Two week elective   Todd Miner, Ed. D., FAWM Students will learn core wilderness medicine principles in small group and lecture-based formats then apply their knowledge to scenarios in wilderness settings. The course will spend the first week near Estes Park and the second week near Moab, UT.
University of Massachusetts Medical School  Two week elective each Spring | Several evenings and weekend dates in the Fall Available for 4th year students | Available for 1st year students Francesca Falcone Two courses offered. The first is a two week elective with lectures and hands-on skills/experiences. The second is a basic wilderness medicine skills and topics for first-year medical students. 
University of Michigan Four week elective Open to University of Michigan M4s, with several spots for visiting US M4s that apply through VSAS.

 

Nate Brouwer, MD

Nate Louras, MD

 A four-week course of outdoor didactics, field experience, and training including didactics at the University of Michigan, backpacking and kayaking Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, climbing Red River Gorge, and caving in Buckner Cave, in addition to many other hands-on wilderness experiences.  
University of Nevada - Las Vegas     [email protected] Tailored exclusively for medical students, this immersive program combines comprehensive medical education with hands-on wilderness training. Explore the breathtaking landscapes of Southern Utah's canyons, rivers, and mountains while learning vital skills in wilderness first aid, improvised medical techniques, patient assessment in remote environments, and more. Engage in realistic scenarios, mock rescues, and outdoor simulations to hone your skills.
University of New Mexico - Wilderness Medicine Elective Four week elective Open to 4th year medical students (VSLO application), also open to resident and attending physicians.

[email protected]

[email protected]

 A 4-week immersive experience in the practical application of wilderness medicine. This course will permit you to become better clinicians, move more proficiently in variable outdoor terrain, and become an effective team member. More than half of the class is spent outside in the mountainous and high desert terrain of NM/CO with an emphasis on multifaceted simulated patient care and rescue scenarios.
University of Nevada
Available only for UN 4th year medical students David Fiore, MD, FAAFP, FAWM Students will develop essential skills for diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses encountered in challenging settings, while also preparing to manage medical logistics for wilderness expeditions.
University of South Alabama Month long elective with two options in February or March. Available for M4 students

Walker Plash

Lynn Yonge

 The location is in the Mobile-Tensaw River delta, with the first portion focusing on canoeing and camping basics. The second portion is a Wilderness First Aid course with some in-depth discussions. The last portion is a canoe trip
University of South Carolina   Elective for M4 students Sherry Allen The objectives of this course are to introduce the student to the epidemiology, physiology, and clinical practice of wilderness and environmental medicine. The course will be taught using lectures, outdoor hands-on training labs, SIM Lab and out of town excursions. The final examination will consist of a 3-day practicum that will take place in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Due to the unique nature of this elective, students need to be in good physical condition. Participants will need to supply their own medium weight hiking boots, weatherproof tent, sleeping bag, food, and a medium volume backpack. Please note there is an additional charge of $350 for the course and an additional fee ($50) for the optional rafting trip
University of Utah - Wilderness Medicine Elective   M1-4, residents, EMT/paramedic, PA2, PA3, RN, Pharmacy  Richard Ingebretsen, MD

Multiple Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) courses through “WIld Med U” including virtual, in-person, and international options. In person AWLS options exist throughout the year/country for varying costs, check the website for dates and details. Some of these have live Zoom options available.

International option, Wilderness Medicine in the Alps in Chamonix, France, July annually. Course starts at $490 with housing options available for additional cost.
Free online resources include textbooks, PowerPoints, practice questions, podcasts, and practical skills videos. 
University of Virginia Two week elective Preference is given to UVA students, though open to external students if not filled.
 Nathan Charlton, MD 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. 
Vanderbilt Two week elective biannually 2nd year medical students Aubri Charnigo Covers swift water rescue basics, low angle rescue, litters/carries, splints, tourniquets, wound care, and environmental conditions
Virginia Tech Carilion and Blue Ridge Adventure Medicine WM  Two week elective Senior medical students Stephanie Lareau

A two-week wilderness medicine elective for senior medical students, PA students and EMT-P students. Students complete a WMP course, learn swiftwater rescue, participate in caving in additional to numerous workshops and scenarios. Optional 2 week AI opportunity for senior medical students.
World Extreme Medicine - Expedition and Wilderness Medicine Course Four day elective Healthcare professionals and students Team Our internationally-renowned four day Expedition and Wilderness Medicine course equips you with the essential skills and expertise to become a competent member of an expedition medical team.
World Extreme Medicine - Winter Medicine Course Five day elective Healthcare professionals and students Team
 Brace yourself for an unparalleled 5-day immersion into Winter Expedition Medicine amidst the formidable White Mountains of New Hampshire.

 

Non-WMS Electives (for Residents)

Program Name Duration Eligibility Contact Person Additional Information
NC Wilderness EMS Externship      

The course focuses WM core content, as well as a general approach to resource-limited care, including disaster response and hospital preparedness. The first three weeks are on our medical campus in Manhattan, the final week (M-F) is a backcountry experience (previously canoe camping in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. 
Jackson, WY Emergency Wilderness Medicine Elective Four week elective rotations Senior EM residents in good-standing only

[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]

 St. John’s Health (SJH) is a progressive, remote, rural 48-bed hospital facility, with a 5-bed ICU, state-of-the-art radiology department and surgical departments, as well as a 60-bed long term care center. Jackson Hole plays host to 3 local Ski Resorts, 2 National Parks (Grand Teton and Yellowstone), Class III/IV rafting, along with numerous square miles of National Forest. The local population of 20,000 provides the typical encounters seen in most emergency departments, but the unique location provides interesting cases of high altitude illness as well as unique trauma inherent to the local sporting activities (climbing, skiing, rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, etc.)
Virginia Tech Two-week elective in September
Carver Haines Designed for residents at an accredited or internationally recognized allopathic or osteopathic medical school, PA or nursing school or residency program in the US and abroad. 
University of New Mexico - Wilderness Elective Four week immersive election Fourth year medical students; also open to resident and attending physicians

[email protected]

Nai Weiss

 A 4-week immersive experience in the practical application of wilderness medicine. This course will permit you to become better clinicians, move more proficiently in variable outdoor terrain, and become an effective team member. More than half of the class is spent outside in the mountainous and high desert terrain of NM/CO with an emphasis on multifaceted simulated patient care and rescue scenarios.

 

Remote Learning

Program Name Duration Eligibility Contact Person Additional Information

Survival Med Advanced Wilderness Medicine & Life Support (AWMLS) Certification for Medical Professionals,

Wilderness First Responder (WFR)/Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Certification

Online self-paced certification courses - start at any time.
Fully online AWMLS, 24 hours of content ($249, options for residency/graduate school/CME credits, up to 4 credits for medical school).

Fully online or hybrid options for WFR 70 hours of content, $349-379) and WFA (16 hours of content, $119-169). Other in person survival/outdoors courses available.

 MS4, residents, EMS, physicians and other licensed healthcare professionals [email protected]

Bridges the gap between conventional pre-hospital and hospital-based clinical skills and the challenges of providing emergency medical care in remote, austere or wilderness environments for injuries and illnesses uniquely influenced by their surroundings. Tailored specifically for physicians, residents & EMS professionals, these courses by Survival Med equip you to adapt your clinical knowledge and improvise patient care in the face of isolation, limited resources, harsh environmental factors, and extended evacuation timelines. Some options exist for residency elective credit and medical school credits.

CME credit: Provides 16 hours AMA Category 1 CME credit for AWMLS Certification ($80 additional fee)
Survival Med Advanced Wilderness Elective Program Up to four weeks of elective credit per project. MS3-MS4, residents, relevant graduate programs, pre-med and health sciences students [email protected] Project-based and tailored to each student's research interests.
University of Utah - Wilderness Medicine Electives Multiple courses and resources available through “WIld Med U,” affiliated with the University of Utah School of Medicine. Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) is highest level, offered via several options including entirely online/self paced (About 18 hours of content, tiered pricing: $30 medical students, $60 residents/EMTs, physicians $140, all other health professions $80).

In person AWLS options exist throughout the year/country for varying costs, check the website for dates and details. Some of these have live Zoom options available.

International option, Wilderness Medicine in the Alps in Chamonix, France, July annually. Course starts at $490 with housing options available for additional cost.
Free online resources include textbooks, powerpoints, practice questions, podcasts, and practical skills videos.		 M1-M4, EMT/paramedic, PAs/RNs, Physicians, Pharmacists Dr. Richard Ingebretsen

WildMedU offers Advanced Wilderness Life Support (AWLS) courses in a variety of means of engagement, with options for residency/health professions school credit available. It is for all medical professionals, including physicians, residents, nurses, nurse practitioners, dentists, physician assistants, EMTs, paramedics, podiatrists, veterinarians, and all health students. All online resources are free and open access.

Additional courses offered include backpacking medicine, basic wilderness life support (BWLS), WFA, WFR, bike med, search and rescue, wilderness travel and tropical medicine, basic first aid, and medicine of outdoor sports. With completion of multiple courses, there is an option to obtain an Associate in Wilderness Medicine Certification.

Provides 16 hours of AMA Category 1 CME credit for AWLS Certification (included in certification fees)
RED MED Multiple courses, including online, self-paced option ($199). Additional international course options exists, including UK, Guatemala and Nepal. Healthcare professionals, leaders and support staff working in or aspiring to join, rescue, expedition, disaster response, humanitarian, wilderness, industrial and security teams.

[email protected]

 RED MED online is a comprehensive, self-paced course, including the clinical and non-clinical competencies and considerations for remote area medical roles. The online course encompasses the same didactic material as the in-person courses and the RED MED book. This flexible platform enables participants to study at their own pace, one module at a time. The content covers elements of hostile environment awareness training (HEAT), wilderness and environmental topics, survival, expedition planning, logistics, telemedicine, point of care ultrasound (POCUS), landmines, risk management, medical emergency response planning, active shooter and much more.
Base Medical

 

Base Medical offers online (and in person) WFA, WFR, and SAR courses. WFA courses include 8 hours of self directed learning and 8 hours of live virtual practical training ($175). WFR courses are only in person for initial certification, but can be renewed in an online only option including 24 hours of self directed learning and 8 hours of live virtual practical training ($250 virtual renewal, initial certification cost varies). Online SAR courses include 40 hours of online learning, topics can be chosen and purchased for CME by area of interest (most topics $9-20 per topic).

All levels of health professionals and students. [email protected]

Base Medical offers accessible outdoor safety education to individuals and groups. Our customized programs empower non-profits, SAR teams, guiding groups, wilderness managers, and many others to also deliver in-house training that is affordable, standardized, and sustainable.

CME available for SAR topics on a pay per topic/credit basis

 

If you are interested in other in person wilderness medicine course options, be sure to check out the many in-person options offered by NOLS and Wilderness Medical Associates International - many of which are held in amazing outdoor locations!