Wilderness Medicine Fellowship

The goal of the Wilderness Medicine Fellowship is to train physicians to prepare for medical emergencies in austere environments, manage the potential medical needs of a population entering into an austere environment, and both respond to and manage a broad array of emergencies that may occur in that environment. This preparation will result from the provision of a strong background in wilderness medicine skills, theory and competencies. In addition to theory, our department includes clinical practice at a tertiary care center and a critical access island hospital. The Pacific Ocean, several mountain peaks up to 11,000 feet and the high desert are all easily accessible from our campus.

Trainees who pursue a career in academic medicine will possess the skills to serve as a director of instructional wilderness medicine or serve in a leadership capacity for the undergraduate or graduate medical education curriculum.

Fellows will learn through organized didactics, projects, technical skills courses and clinical experience. During the fellowship, the trainee will develop and implement at least two longitudinal educational projects.

• The first project must have a scholarly component that leads to presentations or publication.
• The second project can include, but is not limited to:
  • The development of manual technical skills with additional training such as:
    • Mountain medicine/alpinism courses
    • Search and rescue courses
    • Diving and hyperbaric courses
    • Attending and provide training with local public safety agencies
  • Collaboration in national and international projects and opportunities (subject to limited availability per year):
    • Divers Alert Network
    • Ultramarathons or sports events
    • Collaboration with the University of Hawaii on marine envenomation
    • Himalayan Rescue Association
    • London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

In addition to these projects and training, the fellow must also:

• Integrate wilderness medicine topics into the Emergency Medicine Residency curriculum, Journal Clubs, and medical student and civilian interest groups.
• Participate in emergency medicine Grand Rounds and present a minimum of two wilderness medicine lectures.
• Serve as a mentor to residents and medical students interested in wilderness medicine.
• Develop wilderness medicine-related educational initiatives through online courses, social media platforms and/or podcasts.
• Contribute to the design and direction of the annual multi-hospital resident field training exercise in wilderness medicine. 
• Support wilderness medicine education aspects of the Mammoth Mountain Emergency Medicine Conference. 
• Practice clinically for a minimum of three weeks per year at a critical access hospital, Catalina Island Medical Center, 26 miles off the coast of Southern California.

Fellows are also encouraged to attend and participate in wilderness-related national and international conferences.