Wilderness Medicine Track

Wilderness Medicine is a growing field of academic interest and clinical utility. It addresses prevention, assessment, and treatment of accidents and illness in environments featuring the extremes of heat, cold, altitude and depth, extended time to definitive care, and limited equipment. Improvisation, teamwork and critical thinking derived from a applied understanding of the physiology and pathophysiology of humans are highlighted and essential. Trackers are able to apply their learning in expedition medicine, search and rescue, rural EMS work, mass and military casualty incidents, disaster response, remote occupations (i.e. ranching, resource extraction, public lands management) and personal recreation.

• Certification Requirements
• Noon Conference Lecture Series
• Core Curriculum
• Contact Us

WALS Course - May 6th-10th, 2009

Red Lodge, MT

The Wilderness Advanced Life Support (WALS®) is Wilderness Medical Associates’® most advanced level course. Our 4.5 day (36 hr) course is open to certified or licensed advanced level medical practitioners involved in rescue, mass casualty and remote outdoor environments or urban areas in crisis. This constantly-evolving course is highlighted by discussions of new and controversial ideas and the appropriate application of technologies; and we test some of these in the field. The learning environment is challenging, stimulating and fun. Category 1 CME credits for physicians and physician assistants, CEUs for paramedics and Contact Hours for nurses are available. This activity is also eligible for credits toward Fellowship in the Wilderness Medical Society’s Academy of Wilderness Medicine.

Update in Wilderness Medicine - Summer 2010

Every two years the Montana Family Medicine Residency sponsors a two day workshop which blends didactic and hands-on learning to inform attendees of comtemporary viewpoints on Wilderness Medicine issues. At the most recent workshop Eric Johnson, MD was the featured presenter for lightning injuries, drowning, and back country orthopedics. Luanne Freer, MD was the featured presenter for frostbite injuries and expedition medicine.