2025 Wilderness Committee Leader Spotlight
Jackson Anderson, MD, Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2025
Program: University of Texas Southwestern
Your goal as an EMRA leader: I am excited to be back working with the amazing Wilderness Medicine team at EMRA and am so excited to bring together different ideas and perspectives from across the country to organize educational events and put on the best ACEP MedWARs yet!
What is something people don't know about you? I'm a fluent Spanish speaker
If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: A ski patroller!
What is your favorite hack for night shifts? Good music and snacks for immaculate vibes
Mariko Ching, MD, Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2025
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
Megan Barthels, MD, Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2025
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
Olivia Chase, DO, Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2025
Program: Naval Medical Center San Diego
Your goal as an EMRA leader: As an EMRA Wilderness committee vice-chair, I'm excited to build new connections and plan engaging events that promote skill and knowledge development in wilderness medicine. I'm also looking forward to participating in my first MEDWAR!
If I weren't an emergency physician, I would be: Probably either a paramedic or travel nurse
Favorite life hack for night shifts: At least 300 mg of caffeine
What is the last non-textbook you read? The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Kelly Dinh, MD, Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2025
Program: Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Southern Utah Campus
Erin Kinney, MD, Asst. Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2025
Program: University of Washington
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
Vagabond - Caamp
Flowers in Your Hair - The Lumineers
Stick Season - Noah Kahan
Honey Hold Me - Morningsiders
Hunter Stutz, OMSIII, Assistant Vice Chair of the EMRA Wilderness Committee, 2025
Program: Noorda- COM
Your goal as an EMRA leader: My goal at EMRA is to get connected to other emergency medicine students and residents and to help fellow students get connected with wilderness medicine.
Why did you get involved in a professional society? To take the first step to be involved in the wilderness medicine community to foster my outdoor medicine career and help others find their path in the wilderness medicine.
What is the best advice you have ever received? "If you are not living life on the edge, then you are taking up too much space; you learn the most when you're out of your comfort zone." - Jim Whittaker I’ve discovered deeper purpose and fulfillment by consistently challenging myself to grow—as a person, a father, a physician, and a climber.
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