29 June was the first anniversary of Tom’s death. He continues to be an inspiration to all of us. He is missed.
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Archive for June, 2009
Tom Clausing
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009Instructor Training Class of 2009- Saranac, NY
Friday, June 26th, 2009Nine new instructors graduated from the Wilderness Medical Associates instructor training program held in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains June 19-21st. They bring to the company significant patient care experience, impressive back country resumes, and varied teaching experience. We are delighted to welcome them to the WMA family and applaud their energy, fun-loving spirit, and commitment to provide the highest quality wilderness medical training.
The group includes: 
- Ben Dowdy, WEMT-P, Kentucky
- April Grisetti, PA-C, WEMT, New Mexico
- Greg Hern, WEMT-P, Massachusetts
- Bill Miller, WEMT-P, Maine
- Cory Morse, WEMT-P, Maine
- Brian Patten, WEMT-B, Michigan
- Tony Shope, WEMT-P, Nevada
- Alan Sleight, WEMT-B, Maine
- Rekeisha Watson, WEMT-B, Michigan
Where’s the Man?: Damariscotta River in Maine
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
Michelle Murphy, an instructor for WMA, sent in this great photo of her daughter, Scout, experiencing her first paddling adventure on the Damariscotta River in Maine. Alongside Scout is WMA instructor Gabe Gunning.
Don’t forget! At the end of the year, we will select the 3 best submissions. The winners will receive $100 cash prize. Send in a picture of yourself wearing your WMA course t-shirt to webmaster@wildmed.com in order to be eligible for the prizes.
The National Conference on Wilderness Medicine
Friday, June 12th, 2009
About the National Conference on Wilderness Medicine:
Mountain Destinations will be hosting the 23rd annual National Conference on Wilderness Medicine between July 29, 2009 and August 2, 2009 in Big Sky, MT. The objective of this conference is to teach both practical and theoretical skills to medical/outdoor professionals and enthusiasts. After completing this course, participants will have the knowledge to describe, assess, and treat medical problems and emergencies that are frequently encountered in wilderness settings.
Wilderness Medical Associates’ Curriculum Director, Jeffrey Isaac PA-C, will be conducting a wilderness workshop at the conference on Technology in Wilderness Medicine and Rescue on July 31.
Wilderness Advanced Life Support (WALS)
There will be a Wilderness Advanced Life Support (WALS) course offered as an optional class between July 28, 2009 and July 31, 2009. The Wilderness ALS course will be conducted by WMA instructors Jeff Isaac, Will Smith, and Fay Johnson.
Useful Resources on the National Conference on Wilderness Medicine:
- View the Big Sky Conference brochure
- Check out the Schedule-at-a-Glance
- Follow WMA on Twitter or check out our Facebook page
- Read more about the Wilderness Advanced Life Support (WALS) course.
Click Here Register Online for the National Conference on Wilderness Medicine.
Huyck Preserve: A Natural Treasure
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009About Huyck Preserve
Huyck Preserve is a non-profit organization on 2000 acres just southwest of Albany, NY. Along with miles of trails to hike and enjoy, there is an abundance of wildlife and natural treasures, making Huyck Preserve a wonderful place to take a wilderness medical course.
“Our mission is to protect the natural beauty of the Rensselaerville Falls, the watershed of Lake Myosotis and surrounding lands, to conduct long-term research on natural systems as part of a global effort to understand and preserve the Earth’s biodiversity, and to increase appreciation of this effort through innovative, field-based educational programs for students, teachers and the community.”
Huyck Preserve’s dedication to preservation, education, and research is beyond admirable. For information on how you can do your part in keeping the Preserve unspoiled, visit Huyck Preserve’s membership page.
Upcoming Wilderness Courses at Huyck Preserve
We are excited Huyck Preserve has chosen Wilderness Medical Associates for their first Wilderness First Responder (WFR) and their Recertification courses. Their first course, the full WFR, will be held between July 29, 2009 and August 5, 2009. Following the WFR class, Huyck Preserve will be offering an Open Recertification course between August 7, 2009 and August 2009. During the Open Recertification course, those holding a valid WMA certification may recertify a Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA), Wilderness First Responder (WFR), or a Wilderness EMT (WEMT) certification. If you are a prospective student that was last certified through another organization, you may only recertify a WFR.
Wilderness First Responder Training Saves a Life
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009Ann Dunphy, a lead instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates, submitted this story to us regarding a student from a recent Wilderness First Responder Training:
I just needed to share a beautiful WFR story. In the morning of day 4, my student Mike came in and told me we saved his mother’s life. He started with “Ann you always say, saving a life one drill at time.”
Mike is in his mid 50’s and called his folks the night before as his mom was scheduled for minor heart surgery. His dad told him, “your mother fell and hit her head, she’s got a pretty good goose egg.”
Having just learned about TBI/ Increasing ICP, Mike told his dad what to watch for. Sure enough, within two hours, she developed a severe headache and vomiting. His dad would have just let her go to sleep without monitoring her. She was air lifted out, had neurosurgery, and is doing fine so far.
You just never know when you can impact a student. As tired as I may get while teaching, this is why I teach for Wilderness Medical Associates.
Ann Maureen Dunphy
WMA Lead Instructor
2009 Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC)
Monday, June 1st, 2009
About the Wilderness Risk Management Conference:
The 2009 Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) will be held in Durham, NC between October 14-16, 2009. The objective of this conference is to effectively educate outdoor/medical professionals and enthusiasts in relieving risks that may occur in the wilderness. This workshop is sponsored by NOLS, Outward Bound, and Student Conservation Association (SCA).
Wilderness Medical Associates is excited to announce that some of our own instructors (Dr. David Johnson, Bill Frederick, Deb Ajango, and Jon Tierney) will be conducting various workshops at the conference. Leading up to the conference, we will be periodically featuring these instructors and topics included in their workshops.
Resources and Updates About the Wilderness Risk Management Conference:
- View a list of the WRMC workshops
- WRMC Website
- Follow WRMC on Twitter
- Follow Wilderness Medical Associates on Twitter
- Subscribe to WMA blog via email
- View the invitation letter from Chair
WFR Energy is Contagious
Monday, June 1st, 2009What a treat to switch gears, hop on a plane and see Wilderness Medical Associates’ training in the field. For three days I visited WMA sponsors in the spectacular mountains of western North Carolina. Instead of doing my desk job as General Manager, I got a glimpse of WMA Wilderness First Responder courses and instructors in full swing.
In the course of meeting with sponsors, I was able to sit in on some Wilderness First Responder classes. I was quite impressed with the energy and excellent teaching skills of our instructors. It was exciting to witness our brilliant curriculum taught with hands-on learning and engaging lectures. To see eager students “get” the PAS system, learn the lingo, and apply it in practice.
It was a gratifying privilege to see the combined efforts of so many people come together in the field – the hard work of the sponsors, instructors, office support team, and diligent students. I’m so pleased to be part of this successful (and FUN!) program that teaches folks how to prevent and handle back country medical emergencies.
Anne Rugg
General Manager
Wilderness Medical Associates
Wilderness First Responder – Course Video
Monday, June 1st, 2009Click here to watch a video from a May 2009 Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course held through Rescue Specialists in Leavenworth, WA.
This video is curteousy of WMA student Edmund Tee and Lucca Criminale of Rescue Specialists.