2026 WMS Winter Conference In-Person WMS

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2026 WMS Winter Conference In-Person

2026 WMS Winter Conference - Incline Village, NV

By registering for this event you agree to the attachments and statements on the Participation Expectations Page.

Please note, this is the registration page only. For detailed information such as schedule, faculty and credit, click the button below.

More Information

In order to receive CME/FAWM credits after the conference has concluded, you must select each individual program item that you intend to participate in and ensure that it is added to your itinerary.

Cancellation and refund policy.

On or before Monday, December 22, 2025 in order to receive full refund.
Between Tuesday, December 23, 2025 but on or before Monday, January 19, 2026 in order to receive a full refund minus $50 USD service fee.

Between Tuesday, January 20, 2026, but on or before Thursday, February 12, 2026, in order to receive a full refund minus $100 USD service fee.
After February 12, 2026 no refunds will be given.

Registrant can choose to transfer their in-person registration to a virtual option up until February 12, 2026. The difference between the two registration prices will be offered as a refund or you may choose to donate the amount.

When

2/22/2026 12:00 PM - 2/25/2026 12:00 PM
Pacific Standard Time

Where

The Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe 111 Country Club Dr Incline Village, NV 89451 UNITED STATES

Registration

Registration is closed.

Program

Select programs by

Saturday, 21 February 2026

Description
Optional Donation to Conference Scholarship Fund This scholarship exists to help ease the financial burden of attending the bi-annual WMS conferences, for those currently in-training. This scholarship is intended for WMS members who are currently in training (ie: student in healthcare fields, GME fellows, or resident physicians). Conferences provide many valuable educational and networking opportunities and attending a conference can significantly impact the future career of our members in-training. We are grateful for the commitment to advancing the field of wilderness medicine and the careers of our members-in-training through generous scholarship donations. To donate a different dollar amount to support conference scholarship, visit wms.org/donate. Time 6:00 AM 6:00 AM
Wilderness Life Support for the Medical Professional This is a 2 day pre-conference. (Saturday and Sunday). Main conference registration is required to attend the pre-conference. WLS:MP is a practical hands-on certification course originally developed at the University of Utah School of Medicine in 1997 that teaches medical professionals how to manage medical and trauma emergencies when traditional medical facilities are not readily accessible. WLS:MP was developed to create a standard in treating injuries and illnesses in a wilderness environment. Topics include: patient assessment, treatment guidelines for life support until definitive care or evacuation is available, and techniques and guidelines for evacuation. All registrants who pass the written exam will receive the WLS:MP certification that is valid for four years. Track WLS:MP When 2/21/2026 7:00 AM - 2/22/2026 6:00 PM Spots available 14 7:00 AM

Optional Donation to Conference Scholarship Fund

This scholarship exists to help ease the financial burden of attending the bi-annual WMS conferences, for those currently in-training. This scholarship is intended for WMS members who are currently in training (ie: student in healthcare fields, GME fellows, or resident physicians). Conferences provide many valuable educational and networking opportunities and attending a conference can significantly impact the future career of our members in-training. We are grateful for the commitment to advancing the field of wilderness medicine and the careers of our members-in-training through generous scholarship donations. To donate a different dollar amount to support conference scholarship, visit wms.org/donate.

Time

6:00 AM

Wilderness Life Support for the Medical Professional

This is a 2 day pre-conference. (Saturday and Sunday).
Main conference registration is required to attend the pre-conference.
WLS:MP is a practical hands-on certification course originally developed at the University of Utah School of Medicine in 1997 that teaches medical professionals how to manage medical and trauma emergencies when traditional medical facilities are not readily accessible. WLS:MP was developed to create a standard in treating injuries and illnesses in a wilderness environment. Topics include: patient assessment, treatment guidelines for life support until definitive care or evacuation is available, and techniques and guidelines for evacuation. All registrants who pass the written exam will receive the WLS:MP certification that is valid for four years.

Track

WLS:MP

When

2/21/2026 7:00 AM - 2/22/2026 6:00 PM

Spots available

7:00 AM

Monday, 23 February 2026

Description
Welcome The conference chair and chair elect will welcome attendees. Time 7:45 AM - 8:00 AM 7:45 AM
Altitude Illness Research Updates from Mount Aconcagua We will review high altitude illness, discuss research on high altitude illness, and discuss prevention strategies and risks for high altitude illness on Mount Aconcagua. Time 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM 8:00 AM
Hypothermic Patient Packaging: A Novel System for Mountain Rescue Dr. Van Tilburg will give a brief overview of hypothermia management, show a lightweight hypothermia patient packaging system for alpine environments, and discuss complications of hypothermia including rescue collapse and cardiac arrest. Time 8:45 AM - 9:30 AM 8:45 AM
Break with Exhibitors Time 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM 9:30 AM
Expedition Medicine at Altitude Expand on the challenges of practicing medicine in Antarctica through case examples, focusing on stabilization, evacuation, and resource allocation for patients and highlight the unique lessons learned in austere medicine that are paving the way for Earth-independent medical operations. Time 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM 10:00 AM
Pharmaceuticals Impacts of Climate Change The health care system plays a substantial role in greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change with the US alone being responsible for over a quarter of that. Pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical waste are large contributors to that greenhouse gas emission and additional environmental impacts. Some medications have a greater impact on climate change than others and impacts of climate change also need to be considered for how we use and store our medications. This session will discuss the impact of the healthcare system as a whole on climate change with a focus placed on the pharmaceutical aspect. Additionally, we will discuss ways to mitigate that impact with the goal to empower action to protect the environment we love. Time 10:45 AM - 11:30 AM 10:45 AM
Small Group: Designing An Experience Based on Educational Activity Time 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM 1:00 PM
Small Group: Medical Support For Complex Adaptive Athletes - Workshop Prequal This 90 minute small group offers a hands-on approach for medical professionals to explore the latest medical knowledge, equipment, programs, and safety procedures required to support adaptive sports opportunities for athletes with complex injuries, illnesses, or conditions. Interest and knowledge gained during this session will help to facilitate future, formal certification programs for nationwide medical professionals who desire to push the boundaries of sports and recreation after a complex disability. Time 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM 1:00 PM
Workshop: Avalanche Rescue Dr. Van Tilburg will give an overview of companion avalanche rescue including search procedure, use of transceiver, shovel, probe and airbag, and discuss novel air supplier. Time 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Spots available 3 2:30 PM
Workshop: Reduction & Stabilization Techniques for Wilderness Orthopedic Injuries Time 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Spots available 1 2:30 PM
Break with Exhibitors Time 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM 4:15 PM
GME Mini Lectures Intro Time 5:00 PM - 5:05 PM 5:00 PM
GME Mini Lecture 1: "Siri, Save Me": Smart Gadgets and AI Diagnostics in Remote Environments Time 5:05 PM - 5:35 PM 5:05 PM
GME Mini Lecture 2: Expedition Medicine: Lessons from a First Timer Time 5:25 PM - 5:45 PM 5:25 PM
GME Mini Lecture 3: The Bleach Bucket Time 5:45 PM - 6:05 PM 5:45 PM
GME Mini Lecture 4: After the Storm: When Level One Trauma Becomes Austere Medicine Time 6:05 PM - 6:25 PM 6:05 PM
GME Mini Lecture 5: There & Back Again: Evaluating a Hobbits Preparedness for an Unexpected Journey Time 6:25 PM - 6:45 PM 6:25 PM
GME Mini Lectures Wrap Up Time 6:45 PM - 7:00 PM 6:45 PM

Tuesday, 24 February 2026

Description
Eye Spy Trouble: Managing Ocular Emergencies in the Wild This lecture reviews the recognition and management of eye emergencies in remote and austere environments. Participants will learn to perform focused ocular assessments with limited tools, apply practical field management techniques for common and vision-threatening injuries, and determine appropriate evacuation priorities. Emphasis is placed on improvisation, prevention, and protecting vision when definitive care is hours or days away Time 8:00 AM - 8:45 AM 8:00 AM
Below the Surface: Drowning & Rescue This offers wilderness providers actionable strategies and critical clinical protocols for rescue, resuscitation, and post-extrication care in dynamic submersion environments. Time 8:45 AM - 9:30 AM 8:45 AM
Break with Exhibitors Time 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM 9:30 AM
Blood Everywhere! Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers Time 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM 10:00 AM
Orthopedic Trauma Head to Toe Build your understanding of common and severe orthopedic injuries of the spine and extremities, including how to diagnose and stabilize and when to evacuate. Time 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM 11:30 AM
Break/Trivia Time 12:15 PM - 12:45 PM 12:15 PM
Small Group: How to Teach a Large Group Format Time 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM 1:30 PM
Workshop: Adaptive Skiing On-Hill Demos For Medical Providers This half-day, on-hill workshop exposes medical professionals to the challenges and opportunities involved with alpine skiers with complex disabilities. Participants will work directly with the adaptive, medical, and safety equipment used to provide independent and high performance alpine skiing experiences after a complex disability. Workshop feedback will be collected to facilitate future, formal certification programs to increase the number of medical professionals supporting nation-wide adaptive sports programs. Time 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Spots available 1 1:30 PM
Workshop: Cold Water Crisis: Drowning Don't just learn about cold water crisis—master it! Join this hands-on, sim-based workshop where you'll run realistic, mannequin-based drills and gain immediate, life-saving proficiency in water rescue and severe hypothermia resuscitation in resource-limited settings. Time 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM Spots available 2 1:30 PM
Workshop: CPR in the Mountain Environment & During Rescue Transport To learn and practice CPR techniques in the mountain environment and during transport in order to improve survival. Time 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Spots available 14 1:30 PM
Small Group: Bootcamp - Frostbite Time 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM 2:30 PM
Small Group: Bootcamp - Thoracic and Abdominal Trauma Time 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM 3:00 PM
Small Group: Bootcamp - Anaphylaxis Time 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM 3:30 PM
Break Time 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM 4:00 PM
Small Group: Bootcamp - Fist Aid Kits Time 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM 4:00 PM
WMS Committee Fair Time 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM 4:15 PM

Wednesday, 25 February 2026

Description
Teeth Aren't for Everybody: Finding Tooth Comfort in Austere Environments Basic tooth morphology, tooth trauma and acute dental treatment in austere environments Time 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM 8:00 AM
Fueling Resilience Fueling Resilience: Nutrition Considerations in High Altitude, Low-Resouce Environements to Optimize Performance This talk will focus on practical, evidence-based nutrition guidance for high altitude and remote environments, with consideration to nutritional needs for special populations. We will focus on how to utilize nutrition to optimize energy, health, and performance in conditions where food availability, diversity, and preparation resources may be limited. Time 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 9:00 AM
Break Time 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM 10:00 AM
Medical MacGyver: Mastering the Art of Improvised Medicine Explore practical techniques and real-world strategies for improvising medical care using everyday materials in wilderness and resource-limited environments. Time 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM 10:30 AM
Nature's Medicine: Plants for Wound Care Plants for Wound Care: Discover common natural plant remedies that you can find and use for each step of your basic wound care in the wilderness. Time 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM 11:30 AM
Closing Remarks Time 12:30 PM - 12:45 PM 12:30 PM