2026 WMS Winter Conference Virtual

Lake Tahoe slope virtual
2026 WMS Winter Conference - Online

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. 

 
When
2/22/2026 12:00 PM - 2/25/2026 12:00 PM
Pacific Standard Time
Where
Online Online UNITED STATES
Registration
Registration is closed.

Program

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.

Sunday, 22 February 2026

Description
Virtual Networking Session
Time
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
10:00 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
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
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
Time
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
9:30 AM
Blood Everywhere! Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
Learn about viral hemorrhage fevers, when to suspect a patient has one and how to diagnose and treat them.
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

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
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