Wilderness Medicine Symposium

Celebrating its 21th year in 2021, the annual Wilderness Medicine Symposium event is a wonderful combination of camping, camaraderie, and learning about an area of emergency medicine that you may not otherwise have the chance to experience.

The Symposium is held every year at Winding Trails in Farmington, CT. It begins on Friday night with a campfire and s'mores. Our main activities begin after breakfast on Saturday. We will dive into a day of didactic sessions, skills training, and a practicum - all led by experts in the field of wilderness medicine.

Due to COVID restrictions, an attendee cap may be placed and social distancing may have to be practiced; all while we continue to have a fun and educational weekend!

Partnering with:

example SCHEDULE

Friday

  • Arrive after 5pm to set up camp. Bring your own camping gear.

  • Make s'mores (materials provided) and meet fellow attendees around the campfire

  • Presentation on wilderness survival and medical gear

  • Bring your own food and drinks (alcohol permitted)

Saturday

  • Breakfast will be available from 7am

  • Didactics and hands-on skills sessions begin at 8am

  • Lunch will be provided

  • Afternoon practicum

  • Day concludes with a debrief finishing at 4.30pm

WMS 2019 Gallery

2021 Speakers To Be Announced

2019 Speakers were

  • Dr. Nicholas Daniel, DO FAWM - Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and Associate Program Director of the Fellowship in Wilderness Medicine at University of Massachusetts Medical School - Baystate

  • Dr. Kevin O'Toole, MD FACEP - Emergency Physician, Hartford Hospital. Board-certified medical toxicologist

  • Dr. Courtney J. Hayes, MD, MPH, FAWM - Major, United States Army. Brigade Surgeon, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade. Assistant Professor, Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences

  • Mr. Jeff Hogan - Wilderness leadership expert, former Director of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Mountain Leadership School, and former Mayor of Farmington, CT

  • Dr. Danny Leiva, DO, MS - Combined Wilderness Medicine/Research Fellow at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA

  • Dr. Thomas Regan - Emergency physician at John Dempsey Hospital and UConn School of Medicine's Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs

  • Dr. Richard Kamin - Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and the EMS Program Director for the UConn Health. Medical Director for the Connecticut Office of Emergency Medical Services.

  • Dr. William Robar, DO - PGY3 Resident Physician in Emergency Medicine, University of Connecticut

registration

An email will be sent out regarding signing up. Although spots are limited, there will be a wait list. If you find that you are unable to attend please let us know.

Preparation

1. Dress in layers with sturdy footwear

2. Bring warm and waterproof clothes, whatever the weather forecast

3. Bring a backpack with items you would typically take on a day hike

Since this event is focused on wilderness medicine, it will be held outside regardless of the weather. We do have a covered space to use for didactic sessions, but please bring warm and waterproof clothes. Being outside all day, especially when taking part in workshops, can be much colder than you think. Wear strong footwear and dress in layers. We also ask that you bring a day pack with supplies you would typically take with you on a hike in the wilderness.

In the event of anticipated severe weather which puts participant safety at risk, we will provide updates by email and on the website ahead of time.

If you choose to camp on Friday night, please bring your own camping equipment, food, and beverages. If you do not have a tent, a limited number may be provided. You are welcome to bring fire-roasting food as we will have a campfire. We will also be supplying materials for s'mores.