Volume 27, Number 2 - Wilderness Medical Society

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SOCIETY MATTERS Student Elective 2010 Tom Kessler, MD Since 2003 the WMS has sponsored and staffed an elective in wilderness medicine geared toward medical students as a clinical rotation, but also open to other clinical students (physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and residents. With the cooperation of Camp Wesley Woods, Townsend, Tennessee, costs for room and board are kept as modest as possible in a setting ideal for the elective. In addition, the Smoky Mountain area and proximity to Maryville and Knoxville provide many opportunities to broaden the experience. But the volunteer faculty gives the experience its unique breadth and depth. With no more than modest travel support, these experienced experts find the reward of interacting with motivated adult learners sufficient to offer their knowledge, experience, and values. It would be impossible to have the strong program without such volunteers, and we are indebted to them. We would like to thank the following people for making this year’s Student Elective another great success. You all made this possible… • Camp Wesley Woods staff, including Director David Leech, Anna Kendra, Matt, Adam, and Joe David Bradley • Kirk Harris, Fred Baty, Lisa Burchfield, Bryan Rowell, Nathan Osborn – the prehospital faculty • Chuck Hestor, law enforcement ranger • Phil Bertram, MD • Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center, Kathy Prince and Richard Way • Blount County Sheriff’s Office, Captain Jeff Burchfield and Officer Rodney Holloway with Bryan Rowell • Kurt Smith, MD • Jeff Wadley, Civil Air Patrol officer • David Keitz, MD • Jim Suozzi, MD • Jack Gotcher, MD • Laura Helfman, MD • Andrew Morgan, PA • Rob Worthing, MD • Chris Calvert, MD • Chris Pannucci, MD • Neal Pollock, PhD • Chris Moore, MD • Mel Otten, MD A Student’s Reflections on the 2010 Elective Scott Newton MS4 This past February, eighteen medical students, two residents, and one PA student lived at Camp Wesley Woods near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee to study topics in Wilderness Medicine. A diverse faculty, including physicians, paramedics, National Park rangers, and local law enforcement officers, gave lectures, led discussions, and directed hands-on scenarios where students had the opportunity to employ the skills and knowledge they acquired in a simulated setting. The course concluded with a student-organized 4-day backpacking trip inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Topics in the first week included pre-hospital care, food and water procurement in the wilderness, and common ailments faced by international and wilderness travelers. Students received hands-on training in initial management of patients in the field, with a particular emphasis on adapting standard first responder techniques to use in remote locations. Hands-on scenarios included evaluating and treating a patient who had suffered a fall and then safely transporting the patient away from the scene over rough terrain. Training officers from the Blount County Sheriff’s department gave a hands-on demonstration of a variety of firearms. “Folding this into my existing medical knowledge expands the scenarios where I could be of use,” said Nicole Ingram, medical student from Texas Tech. “I feel like we could be dropped into the middle of nowhere with nothing but a pocketknife and a match and make it back home.” “As long as we’re not wearing any cotton!” added Lindsay Merry, medical student from University of Manchester, UK. Topics for the remainder of the month included high altitude medicine, search and rescue skills, water and river sports, plant toxins, and management of soft tissue injuries and trauma. The hands-on scenarios continued and increased in difficulty, pushing students to the extent of their ability and knowledge. Students also gave short presentations on topics of their own choosing, ranging from identification of edible plants to treatment of hypothermia. Scott Newton is a 4th-year medical student at Albany Medical College in Albany, New York and graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a BA in Spanish. To contact the elective directors, please go to WMSelective.org, or email Dr. Chris Sloane: csloane@ucsd.edu 28 WILDERNESS MEDICINE // Spring 2010
CLIFF NOTES Catherine Chamberlin MS4 Wilderness Medicine Electives It is that time of year – 2nd-year medical students are dreaming about being out of the classroom, 3rd years are trying to plan their 4th (and best) year of medical school, and 4th years are trying to squeeze in that last adventure before residency. In the past few weeks I have received several emails asking about Wilderness Medicine elective opportunities. To start, check out the Student Interest Groups (SIG) website where there is a long list of WM electives, including field-based and international opportunities (wms.org/studentgroups/sig_web_site/sigelective.htm) If you are looking for an elective in a remote area, check out Indian Health Service or AHEC (Area Health Education Centers). I would also recommend looking at the WMS directory (membership required for access) to find physicians located in your area of interest. Here’s a letter I received from a friend and fellow wilderness medicine 4th-year medical student, Jeremy Brudevold, who did just that… As a student interested in wilderness medicine I find myself preoccupied with searching for my next big adventure. Even in the midst of interviewing for an Emergency Medicine Residency position, I cannot help but take time to explore what the wilderness has to offer. This past December my sister was married in Maui, Hawaii. When I found out the wedding location, I knew it would not only be a great opportunity to spend time celebrating with family, but also a time for me to search for a new exciting adventure. I began my search by sending emails to all of the WMS members in Hawaii to see what opportunities were available during my time in Maui. It did not take long for me to receive an email from Dr. Clayton Everline, who has not only started a wonderful non-profit organization (TheWavesofHealth.org), but is also an active WMS member on Maui. He informed me that the world’s best women surfers would be in Maui competing at the Billabong Pro Maui surfing event. Dr. Everline was very helpful and accommodating, and since I was an eager medical student seeking to lend a hand, he invited me to join him in providing medical care to the participants. When I arrived at Honolua Bay the view alone made the journey well worth it. The contestants’ athleticism and determination to capture each wave was amazing, and I could not help but think of how fortunate I was to be a part of it all. As the event was winding down, I spent some time with Dr. Everline, who taught me about many different aspects of surfing medicine. Having spent most of life in the Midwest, my exposure to surfing was somewhat limited to say the least. As I sat watching the waves crash against the reef, I was humbled and intrigued by the power of the ocean, and I knew one day I would be back. Letters such as these serve as a continuous reminder of the spectrum of opportunities that exist in Wilderness Medicine. If you know of any wilderness medicine electives to post on the SIG website, please email me at wmsstudentrep@gmail.com. 2010 WMS Recognition Awards The WMS Awards Committee, chaired by Dr. Ken Zafren, invites you send your suggestions for nominees of members and non-members who you believe are worthy of the Society’s recognition. The winners will be honored at the 2010 Summer Conference and Annual Meeting in Snowmass, Colorado. The award categories are listed below: Dian Simpkins Service Award. Given in recognition of outstanding service to the function and operation of the Society. Education Award. Given in recognition of outstanding contributions in education to students, members, or the public in the field of Wilderness Medicine. Founders Award. Given in recognition of outstanding contribution to the principles and objectives of Wilderness Medicine as envisioned by the Society’s founders. Research Award. Given in recognition of outstanding research pertinent to the field of Wilderness Medicine. Warren D. Bowman Award. Given to an associate member or an allied health professional for outstanding contributions in education to students, members, or the public in the field of Wilderness Medicine. The Awards Committee believes that your participation will significantly expand the depth of reach for the awards program. Members in all of the membership categories are eligible to make a nomination. The Awards Committee will give full consideration to all those named. In support of your nomination please include: Nominator: Your name, member number, and contact information Nominee: 1) Award for which you are nominating him/her; 2) full name and contact information; 3) awards, recognition, degrees; 3) experience, accomplishments, and memberships; 4) your personal support statement Email your nomination(s) with supporting information to Dr. Ken Zafren: zafren@alaska.com. We look forward to your participation in helping the WMS to award our worthy colleagues with these honors. VISIT WMS.ORG TO: Register For The Summer Conference July 23-28, 2010 Update Your Profile Renew Your Membership Check Out Our Store! WILDERNESS MEDICINE // Spring 2010 29
Page 1 and 2: SPRING 20 10 Volume 27, Number 2 Di
Page 3 and 4: EditorIAL STAFF SPRING 2010 INSIDE
Page 5 and 6: Dispatches froM Haiti Paul S. Auerb
Page 7 and 8: Photo by Eric Holden. January 20…
Page 9 and 10: January 24… January 25… It was
Page 11 and 12: 82nd Airborne preparing for a food
Page 13 and 14: sion Congo Michael Hauty MD, FACS P
Page 15 and 16: Garden of "Villages des Mamas" set
Page 17 and 18: Nature, however, is a cruel prankst
Page 19 and 20: Mount Hood SAR Operations On Decemb
Page 21 and 22: What’s in Your Pack? We invite yo
Page 23 and 24: AWLS Instructor Cory Kreutzer demon
Page 25 and 26: SOCIETY MATTERS News & Announcement
Page 27: Members in the News Kenneth W. Kize
Page 31 and 32: 2010 conference calendar & affiliat

Volume 27, Number 2 - Wilderness Medical Society

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