Medical school & residency: Medical College of Georgia
Current position: Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University: Professor of Emergency Medicine; Medical Director, Wilderness & Survival Medicine; Director, Wilderness Medicine Fellowship
If you love the great outdoors and are interested in blending your passion for medicine with your passion for Mother Nature, then you're already familiar with Mike Caudell.
Considered a pioneer of wilderness medicine, Dr. Caudell is a founder of the Medical Wilderness Adventure Race (MedWAR) concept and has dedicated years to building the subspecialty through MedWAR events, service and leadership with in the ACEP Wilderness Medicine Section, and outreach/faculty service for a host of wilderness groups and courses. He is a faculty member for the Advanced Wilderness Life Support course and is the course director and instructor for American Red Cross Wilderness First Aid. In addition to holding the Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM) credential, he is certified in Swiftwater Rescue and Advanced Open Water Diving.
Most recently, Dr. Caudell helped the EMRA Wilderness Division plan the very first EMRA MedWAR, held Oct. 19 in Red Rock Canyon outside Las Vegas.
What event precipitated your love of wilderness medicine?
No specific event occurred. My emergency medicine training and the desire to be prepared for any medical emergency in the hospital setting segued into the desire to be prepared for medical emergencies and occurrences outside the hospital during my hobbies and pastimes in the wilderness and austere setting.
Favorite national or state park?
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Why do you volunteer (with ACEP, MedWARs, etc.)?
A lot of it is because I'm very interested in emergency and wilderness medicine. As far as the MedWAR is concerned, I helped create that because of my interest, so it's easy to spend time helping it grow. There's always time to get involved. If you're doing something you love, it doesn't feel like work — it feels like fun.
Best career advice you ever received?
I have to tell you the advice I received has morphed into the advice I give: Learn to say “No.” You will be asked to do many fun and interesting things, and you can't do them all well. Some you must say no to, or the quality of your work will suffer.
Favorite way to earn CME?
Hmm. It's interesting — I get most of my CME from my academic institution so I don't think about it that much. I go to a lot of conferences.
Most-used app on your phone?
Pandora
What goes on pizza?
Everything – except anchovies.
Dogs or cats?
Dogs. I have 2. Mine are both mutts who have been rescued.