2024 Wilderness Committee Leader Spotlight

Joe Mueller, MS4, Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2024

Program: UCSF Fresno

Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal is to do the best possible job I can as chair of the wilderness committee this year. For me, this means putting on an amazing MedWAR 2024 at Las Vegas, giving a platform to our awesome committee members, and spreading awareness of wilderness medical opportunities to EMRA members.

What is something people don't know about you? That I was born in New Jersey

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: Probably an outdoors guide of some sort

Jackson Anderson, MD, Chair-Elect of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2024

Program: University of Texas Southwestern

Your goal as an EMRA leader: I love what I do and am excited everyday to go to work and I want to be able to share my experience and passion for learning and being outdoors with others as well as find opportunities to continually learn from my peers.

What is something people don't know about you? I grew up working in event operations at the Super Bowl every year

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: I would probably be on ski patrol somewhere in the rockies

What is your favorite hack for night shifts? Dutch bros rebel energy slushies will make time go by way too fast

Carlos I. Enciso Lopez, MD, Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2024

Program: University of Michigan

Your goal as an EMRA leader: As an EMRA leader I want to continue contributing to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to promote access to outdoor recreation and wilderness medicine to under represented individuals. I want to foster a welcoming environment for everyone who is even remotely interested in wilderness education or is just looking for a reason to dip their feet into the outdoors. Finally, I want to help lead a team of some of the countries brightest and most dedicated emergency medicine resident physicians in expanding upon and contributing to the world of wilderness medicine education.

What is something people don't know about you? My favorite color is green, but I am also I'm red-green color blind so who knows what color it actually it is haha!

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: I think I would have enjoyed being a college professor!

Favorite life hack for night shifts: Lots and lots of candy. Like so much candy.

What app on your phone consumes the most of your time? The "Windy" app to check wind conditions for paragliding!

What is the last non-textbook you read? Born to Run by Christopher McDougall

Mariko Ching, MD, Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2024

Program: University of Michigan

Your goal as an EMRA leader: I want to be involved in projects that provide educational opportunities for medical trainees at all stages of their learning and to be a part of the conversation on how the EM/wilderness medicine community can broaden its reach to historically underrepresented populations.

What is something people don't know about you? I love pickle peanut butter sandwiches

If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: An ethnomusicologist

Favorite life hack for night shifts: A mid shift 100 grand bar

What app on your phone consumes the most of your time? Spotify

What is the last non-textbook you read? Rhapsody in Plain Yellow by Marilyn Chin

What are your tops songs on your Spotify Wrapped? Seventeen by Sharon Van Etten, Sleeping Lessons by The Shins, Soft Stud by Black Belt Eagle Scout 

Jacques (Jack) Lowe, Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2024

Program: Kaiser Permanente San Diego

Your goal as an EMRA leader: to make wild med awesome

Why did you get involved in a professional society? I've been participating in EMRA leadership since medical school on the medical student council and then a committee leader since starting residency!

What do you think are the top three traits of a great leader? great communicator, inclusive, goal oriented

What is the best advice you have ever received? it's okay to live life like a bug – take one day at a time

Ian Brodka, MD, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2024

Program: University of Michigan

Your goal as an EMRA leader: I want to be a go-to person for the specialty that people can talk to about what it is that we do, how we do it, and the various things that are awesome we do or can do that aren't always obvious. Obviously, being in the Wilderness Committee, my focus is going to be more on the austere side of practice, but there are so many opportunities out there that aren't well broadcasted. We work hard to develop our skillset and there are fun ways to utilize it! I also want to be someone that anyone can come to when they need support or help in any situation they may be in. I'm here for y'all at the end of the day

Why did you get involved in a professional society? For me, it's one of the best ways you can get involved beyond just the every day stuff that we do in medicine. We help individual patients a lot day in and day out, but its only like 20-30 a day at most. And we all grumble about system's issues and guidelines (or lack thereof) throughout. Getting involved allows you to extend and help more people. Also the people are wonderful that you meet and also showcase how fun and interesting the job can be

What is the best advice you have ever received? Treat the patient, not the numbers. And listen to your nurses. Both from my dad who is an RN

Megan Barthels, MD Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2024

Program: University of Wisconsin

Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal as an EMRA leader is to make access to Wilderness Medicine education more accessible to medical students and residents and to grow the diversity of those who are traditionally represented in the outdoors.

Why did you get involved in a professional society? I believe professional societies are a great opportunity to bring like minded individuals together to work towards a common goal to advance and grow the specific area of interest.

What do you think are the top three traits of a great leader? Communication, resilience, and integrity

Brian Legvold, MSPH, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2024

Program: Emory

Your goal as an EMRA leader: I want to promote collaboration between our wilderness medicine minded members and their medical school counterparts. By engaging with these aspiring medical professionals early in their education, I hope that we can foster a passion for our field in individuals. 

Why did you get involved in a professional society?  As surprising as it is to most people who know me, I didn't find my way to emergency medicine until halfway through my third year of medical school.  The revelation that I was unmistakenly destined for emergency medicine coincided, quite shockingly, with my first immersive experience during an elective two-week stint in the trauma bay.  Having such exposure occur so late in medical school, I felt there should be a more accessible way for lost souls like myself to discover the field earlier.  Upon reflection, I recognized numerous missed opportunities where engagement could have occurred had I known that they were part of the diverse practice of emergency medicine.  This realization prompted me to take an active role and try to facilitate the types of conversations that could have set the stage for my involvement in emergency medicine long before that fateful day in the Grady trauma bay

What is the best advice you have ever received? Patience, for this too shall pass.

Erin Kinney, MS4, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2024

Program: OHSU

Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal as an EMRA leader is to get involved in emergency medicine, meet others who are also leaders and learn from them. 

Why did you get involved in a professional society? To foster connections and benefit from what a professional society can offer me. 

What do you think are the top three traits of a great leader?Humility, positivity, empathy

Danusha (Dee) Sanchez MD, PMP, MIS, NREMT, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2024

Program: Kościan Hospital

Your goal as an EMRA leader:  As an EMRA leader, my aim is to raise awareness of wilderness medicine within my community and among medical students at international schools. I plan to focus on practical skills applicable in remote or resource-limited environments, sharing these insights to enhance emergency care practices back home. The goal is to learn, adapt, and integrate these unique medical practices, improving our overall approach to emergency medicine.

Why did you get involved in a professional society?  I joined a professional society to immerse myself in a community passionate about emergency medicine, where friendships and professional relationships flourish. This network not only enriches my personal life but also sharpens my professional skills, ensuring I continually operate at the peak of my license. It's about growing together, learning from one another, and staying inspired to provide the best care possible.

What is the best advice you have ever received?  The best recent advice I've received is that focusing on the details can make a significant difference, even if it means not always being at the forefront. This approach has taught me the value of precision and the impact of small contributions, guiding me to strive for excellence in every task, no matter the scale. It's about the quality of work and the thoughtfulness behind each action that ultimately defines success.