Northwestern medical student Douglas Nilson swims through the narrows in Long Canyon. Photo: Iris Saxer

Medicine in the Wild is the ultimate combination of wilderness medicine, leadership and medical education in a remote environment. It is ideal for the 3rd or 4th year medical student looking for a uniquely challenging opportunity to practice medical decision-making in a backcountry setting. This is an unparalleled opportunity to gain proficiency in wilderness medicine; peer leadership, communication and teamwork skills; wilderness travel and living skills; and medical education techniques. No other medical school elective offers this breadth of curriculum or a true extended wilderness expedition.

Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI) and the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency (HAEMR) are working in partnership to provide the Medicine in the Wild Program. In addition to a team of experienced NOLS and WMI educators, a senior resident from HAEMR will accompany the expedition and provide advanced medical modules and teachings. The course begins with a five-day Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals (WUMP) at a remote teaching facility. The WUMP is followed by a day of advanced clinics taught by the senior HAEMR resident. Your expedition then travels into the historic Gila Wilderness in New Mexico for nearly three weeks in order to practice your newfound skills. Your course will conclude with a visit from an HAEMR faculty member with experience as a wilderness medicine physician.

In addition to the wilderness medicine curriculum, the Medicine in the Wild Program emphasizes development of peer leadership skills, communication styles and principles of effective medical education. Expedition members will be asked to present medical topics and to lead their peers during the wilderness travel section. Each individual will also select a reading on global and environmental health and will be responsible for discussing the information and its impact on physicians with the entire course.

If you’re looking for a program that will take your medical education out of the classroom and into the wild, this is the course for you!