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Gavin Dawson

Gavin grew up immersed in the Rocky Mountains- hiking, skiing, climbing, and embracing all the outdoor adventure Colorado has to offer. His deep love for education and the sciences led him to obtain his B.A. in Physiology, Neuroscience, and Philosophy from the University of Colorado. For over a decade Gavin has merged his passions for medicine and the outdoors working as a WEMT throughout the world, in a variety of settings including rural primary care clinics in Thailand and in the Emergency Department as a Trauma Technician in Boulder, CO. As a lead instructor for Wilderness Medical Associates Gavin can be found traveling around the world, from Nepal to Finland to Belize, teaching wilderness medicine courses to people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill sets. He has a unique ability to educate his diverse range of students from teenagers, to those who speak English as their third language, to guides and medics who have spent their lifetime in the outdoors. Regardless of who shows up to class, Gavin is guaranteed to find a connection to that individual and teach in a way that is understandable, exciting, and personally relatable. Gavin is also the founder and owner of Global Emergency Medics, which he started as a way to bring wilderness medicine training courses to those in need throughout all corners of the world. When not teaching, Gavin continues to travel to new countries, explore in the mountains, and expand upon his medical knowledge as a physician assistant student at the University of Washington MEDEX program.

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Joseph D Thacker

I’ve been in healthcare as a West Virginia state and National EMT-B for 10 years. I worked on an ALS truck with a medic for most of those. I am involved with ski patrol and I am a teacher of OEC, which is the equivalent to EMT for patrol. I am a trainer at ACE …

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Ethan Merrifield

Ethan joined the WMA team as a Course Coordinator in September of 2024.  He completed his first WFR course with WMA in 2020 and has been working outdoors professionally since.  For the past several years, he has served as a sea kayaking guide for Maine Sport Outfitters in Rockport, Maine, a longtime host for WMA …

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Kyle Beach

Kyle got his start in emergency services at 16 years old when he joined his local volunteer fire department. He went on to obtain his EMT certification during his senior year of high school and has since gained experience working in both rural and urban EMS agencies. Some of his roles include serving as a …

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Charlie Foutch

Charlie is a New York State Forest Ranger in the Northeastern Adirondack Park where he lives with his wife and four boys. Past opportunities include serving in the United States Navy as a Corpsman, earning a Bachelor’s from SUNY ESF, working in emergency medicine as an EMT and later at Upstate University Hospital. We can’t …

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Robert Sanders

Rob Sanders is a Pediatrician in San Antonio, Texas and assistant instructor with WMAI. He is a relatively recent transplant to South Texas, moving from the front range of Colorado a few years back. Since moving there has found a deep connection to west Texas and spends a great deal of time in the Big …

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Kate Batten

Kate started in emergency medical response as a teenager in New Zealand on a volunteer Search and Rescue team. SAR response as a team leader and medic continued during her years in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. After her discharge, Kate has gone on to use her training and experience in wilderness medicine as …

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Bethany Helvoigt

Bethany grew up in the mountains of Colorado which ingrained in her the love for the wilderness and emergency medicine. She later moved to Montana where she majored in counseling and outdoor leadership followed by several years of experience in experiential education and facilitation with an outdoor adventure camp. She currently lives in Plains, Montana …

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Valorie Dalberg

Valorie Dalberg was raised in MN but currently lives in NW Ontario with her husband and two boys. She is a Registered Nurse in both the US and Canada with over 10 years in Emergency Room and Rural/Remote nursing experience. Her love of travel and adventure has brought her all over the world where she …

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Jen Darling

Jen has been working in medical services for over 20 years. She began as a medic in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1995 and later transitioned to a civilian career as a Registered Nurse. Her career has seen a variety of locations, ranging from large U.S. trauma centres to remote First Nations health centres. The …

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