Committees

Our committees work year-round to ensure that WMS programs, publications, research, and certifications move forward—from conferences, to clinical practice guidelines, and everything in between. Below you will find a listing of all current WMS councils and committees. For space purposes, only committee chairs and Board/staff liaisons are included in this list, but we appreciate all members who serve on committees for their help advancing the WMS. For an overview of our current committee structure, refer to the WMS Organizational Chart by clicking here. Committee rosters are reviewed prior to the Summer Conference and a call for volunteers is sent out to members soon after in order to fill vacancies. Committee spots are reserved for WMS members and do fill quickly.

Board of Directors

Authority and Responsibility (per Bylaws)

The Board of Directors shall be the governing body of the Society and shall have all the powers, duties, and responsibilities vested in boards of directors for not-for-profit corporations under the laws of Colorado.

Composition (per Bylaws)

The Society shall have between seven (7) and sixteen (16) Directors, inclusive of Officers but exclusive of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who is a non-voting member. Collectively, the Directors and the CEO shall be known as the Board of Directors. 

The Board of Directors shall always consist of the President, the President-Elect, the Treasurer, the Secretary, the Immediate Past-President, and the non-voting CEO.
At the discretion of the Board of Directors, other Directors may be added or removed periodically as long as the total number does not exceed sixteen (16) or fall below seven (7).

Terms (per Bylaws)

Maximum Continuous Service (non-officer Directors)

A Director is elected for a term of two (2) years. A Director is eligible to serve a maximum of two (2) consecutive two-year terms.
If elected for the maximum of two (2) terms, a Director is eligible for re-election to the board after a lapse of one (1) year.

Board Membership

Stephanie Lareau, MD, FACEP, DiMM, DiDMM, MFAWM President
Graham Brant-Zawadzki, MD, MA, FAWM, DiMM, FAEMS Treasurer/President-Elect
Shana Lee Tarter, WEMT, MFAWM Past President
Thomas DeLoughery, MD, MACP, FAWM Research Council Chair
Camilla Sulak, MD, MEd, EMT Membership Council Chair
Christanne Coffey, MD, FACEP, DiDMM, MFAWM Academy Director
Dr. Justin M. Gardner, DO, FAWM, DiMM, DiDMM Education Council Chair
Dave Young, MD, MS, FAWM, DiMM Conference Council Chair
Avinash Patil, MD Adventure Ed Council Chair
Ali S. Arastu, MD, FAWM Member at Large
Renita Fonseca, CAE, CMP, WFA Staff Liaison

Finance and Audit Committee

Charge (per Bylaws)

The Finance and Audit Committee shall be charged to review the financial status of the Society, the formal audit, management letter and investment practices, making specific recommendations to the Board of Directors.

Composition (per Bylaws)

The Treasurer shall chair the Finance and Audit Committee.

Committee Leadership

Graham Brant-Zawadzki, MD, MA, FAWM, DiMM, FAEMS Chair
Alicia Wilson, WFA Staff Liaison
Renita Fonseca, CAE, CMP, WFA Staff Liaison

Nominating & Awards Committee

Charge (per Bylaws)

  1. The Nominations committee shall present a slate of candidates for Secretary and all other open Board of Directors positions to the Board of Directors for approval. The Nominations Committee shall put forth at least one candidate for each position. At the discretion of the committee, more than one candidate may be put forth for any position.
  2. The Board of Directors appoints an Academy Director (through the Nominations Committee)

Composition (per Bylaws)

The Nominations Committee will be composed of the Immediate Past President and two Members of the Board of Directors and be chaired by the Immediate Past President. Should the Immediate Past President decline or be unable to serve as Chair, the President shall appoint an alternate Chair. The Board of Directors shall appoint the additional two Members of the nominating committee after soliciting nominations from the Board.

Approval Process (per Bylaws)

A majority vote of the Board of Directors shall elect from the recommended nominee(s).

Other Charge

Within two weeks of the March 15 deadline for recognition award nominations, the Awards Committee will meet via conference call and make a recommendation to the full board for the following awards: Dian Simpkins, Education, Research (based on the recommendations of the Research Committee), Warren D. Bowman.

Committee Leadership

Shana Lee Tarter, WEMT, MFAWM Chair
Alicia Byrne Staff Liaison
Renita Fonseca, CAE, CMP, WFA Staff Liaison

Ethics Committee

Charge (per Bylaws)

The Ethics Committee is charged with:

  1. The review of potential conflicts of interest and/or ethical concerns involving either board members or the general membership.
  2. After review, the Ethics Committee is responsible for making a just and fair recommendation to the WMS Board of Directors to limit or mitigate a given potential conflict of interest or ethical issue.

Committee Leadership

Shana Lee Tarter, WEMT, MFAWM Chair
Renita Fonseca, CAE, CMP, WFA Staff Liaison

Wilderness Medicine Magazine (WMM) Committee

Charge

  1. Disseminate wilderness medicine information to wilderness professional/recreationalist, medical, outdoor, and travel communities.
  2. Provide timely information regarding Wilderness Medical Society news and activities.
  3. Provide a forum for exchange of ideas and knowledge regarding wilderness, environmental, and travel medicine.

Committee Leadership

Nancy Pietroski, PharmD, FAWM, WEMT, CTH, NR-EMT Chair
Dr. Justin M. Gardner, DO, FAWM, DiMM, DiDMM Board Liaison
Melissa Day Staff Liaison

Publications Committee

Charge

The Publications Committee will ensure the overall success of the WMS journal (WEM) publishing program, providing oversight and expertise to ensure that the Society’s scientific, strategic, and financial goals are met.

Committee Leadership

Ms. Linda Laskowski Jones, MS, APRN, ACNS-BC, CEN, FAWM, EMT Chair
Sue Spano, MD, FACEP, MFAWM Board Liaison
Adam Etkin Staff Liaison
Alicia Byrne Staff Liaison

Wilderness & Environmental Medicine (WEM) Journal Editorial Board

Charge

Wilderness & Environmental Medicine (WEM) is the official journal of the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS). It is published quarterly and is devoted to original scientific and technical contributions related in whole or in part to wilderness or environmental medicine.

The role of the WEMJ Editorial Board is to oversee all functions of the Journal.

Committee Leadership

William Binder, MD, MA, FACEP Chair
Sue Spano, MD, FACEP, MFAWM Board Liaison
Adam Etkin Staff Liaison
Alicia Byrne Staff Liaison

Wongchhu Sherpa Memorial Hospital (WSMH) Tapting Hospital Workgroup

Workgroup Leadership
Eric L. Johnson, MD, FAWM Chair
Jennifer E. Dow, MD, MHA, FACEP, DiMM, MFAWM Board Liaison
Renita Fonseca, CAE, CMP, WFA Staff Liaison

Governance Workgroup

Workgroup Leadership
Jennifer E. Dow, MD, MHA, FACEP, DiMM, MFAWM Chair
Renita Fonseca, CAE, CMP, WFA Staff Liaison

Research Council

Charge

The Research Council shall oversee all research efforts of the Society.  Because research has been identified as a strategic priority, the Council will approach the charge as such.  The Council will develop strategies, tactics, and metrics to aggressively advance the research mission.  These will be presented to the BOD for approval. The Council (through subordinate committees) will carry out all initiatives approved by the BOD. 

Council Leadership

Thomas DeLoughery, MD, MACP, FAWM Chair
Alicia Byrne Staff Liaison

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Committee

Charge

The Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee will oversee the creation, publication, and dissemination of Society Practice Guidelines.

Committee Leadership

Christopher A. Davis, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, FAWM, DiMM Chair
Robert H. Quinn, MD, FAWM, FAAOS, FAOA Member Emeritus
Thomas DeLoughery, MD, MACP, FAWM Board Liaison
Alicia Byrne Staff Liaison

Research Committee

Charge

The Research Committee shall oversee all research and grant efforts and offerings of the society. 

Committee Leadership

Ziva Petrin, MD Chair
Thomas DeLoughery, MD, MACP, FAWM Board Liaison
Alicia Byrne Staff Liaison

Academy of Wilderness Medicine

Charge

The Academy, chaired by the Academy Director, will oversee all components of the Fellowship, Diploma, and Master’s programs, and such new degrees and programs that may be added in the future.

The Academy of Wilderness Medicine is governed and administered according to the charter adopted in 2004. 

Council Leadership

Christanne Coffey, MD, FACEP, DiDMM, MFAWM Academy Director
Gabi Glass, CMP, WFA Staff Liaison

Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM) Committee

Charge

The FAWM Committee shall administer the FAWM program in cooperation with the Academy (didactic and degree components) and with the Conference Planning Committee.

Committee Leadership

Lawrence LeBlond, MD, MFAWM Chair
Christanne Coffey, MD, FACEP, DiDMM, MFAWM Board Liaison
Gabi Glass, CMP, WFA Staff Liaison

Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM) Committee

Charge

The DiMM Committee shall administer the DiMM program in cooperation with the Academy (didactic and degree components) and with the Conference Planning Committee. The committee shall administer the DiMM program in accordance with UIAA and IKAR requirements.

Committee Leadership

Keith S. Gates, DiMM Chair
Christanne Coffey, MD, FACEP, DiDMM, MFAWM Board Liaison
Teri Howell Staff Liaison

Diploma in Diving and Marine Medicine (DiDMM) Committee

Charge

The DiDMM Committee shall administer the DiDMM program in cooperation with the Academy (didactic and degree components) and with the Conference Planning Committee. 

Committee Leadership

Cheryl Lowry, MD, MPH, FAsMA, FAWM, DiMM, DiDMM Chair
Christanne Coffey, MD, FACEP, DiDMM, MFAWM Board Liaison
Alicia Wilson, WFA Staff Liaison

Education Council

Charge

The Education Council shall oversee all aspects of education not covered under the Academy. This includes, but is not limited to, continuing medical education and conference development, graduate and undergraduate medical education and medical and austere education to allied and affiliated members.  

Committee Leadership

Dr. Justin M. Gardner, DO, FAWM, DiMM, DiDMM Chair
Melissa Day Staff Liaison

CME Committee

Charge

The CME Committee shall oversee and approve all CME for conferences, adventure travel, and programs in accordance with the rules and regulations of the ACCME.

Committee Leadership

Lawrence LeBlond, MD, MFAWM Chair
Teri Howell Staff Liaison

GME Fellowship Committee

Charge

The GME Fellowship Committee is to serve as a platform to integrate GME Fellowships with the WMS and the Academy of Wilderness Medicine diplomas.

Committee Leadership

Jessie R. Gehner, MD, FAWM Chair
Dr. Justin M. Gardner, DO, FAWM, DiMM, DiDMM Board Liaison
Teri Howell Staff Liaison

Resident/Student Education Committee

Charge

The Resident/Student Committee shall oversee opportunities available to students and residents in wilderness medicine and create education products to further wilderness medicine education.

Committee Leadership

Walker Plash, MD, FAWM Chair
Dr. Justin M. Gardner, DO, FAWM, DiMM, DiDMM Board Liaison
Melissa Day Staff Liaison

Membership Council

Charge

The Membership Council shall oversee all efforts related to Society Membership including, but not limited to recruitment, retention, and structure.  Because membership has been identified as a strategic priority, the Council will approach the charge as such. The Council will develop strategies, tactics, and metrics to aggressively advance the membership mission.  These will be presented to the BOD for approval. The Council will carry out all initiatives approved by the BOD.  Examples include, but are not limited to: member engagement, dues structure, tiers, types, growth, surveys and other analyses, and marketing initiatives.

Council Leadership

Camilla Sulak, MD, MEd, EMT Chair
Melissa Day Staff Liaison

Membership Committee

Committee Leadership

Vishwanath Rajan, BSc, MSc, NRP, FP-C, FAWM, FRGS, DMT Chair
Camilla Sulak, MD, MEd, EMT Board Liaison
Melissa Day Staff Liaison

Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI) Committee

Charge

The Wilderness Medicine Society's JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) committee's mission is to enable the WMS to adhere to its values.  The committee values and welcomes all members regardless of background and self-identification. This committee will help WMS to strategically integrate more inclusivity and diversity into WMS' leadership and public representation, future events, social engagement, and active research. 

Committee Leadership

Fay Roepcke, MD, FAWM, MPH Chair
Camilla Sulak, MD, MEd, EMT Board Liaison
Melissa Day Staff Liaison

Conference Council

Charge

The Conference Council shall oversee all efforts related to conferences and related endeavors.  Because conferences have been identified as a strategic priority, the Council will approach the charge as such. The Conference Council shall be strategically focused while the subcommittees will be tactical.  The Council will develop strategies, tactics, and metrics to aggressively advance mission around conferences.  These will be presented to the BOD for approval. The Council will carry out all initiatives approved by the BOD.  The council will oversee the Adventure Ed program, work to expand offerings and opportunities, review and approve potential offerings.  

Council Leadership

Dave Young, MD, MS, FAWM, DiMM Chair
Alicia Wilson, WFA Staff Liaison
Gabi Glass, CMP, WFA Staff Liaison

Conference Planning Committee

Charge

The Conference Planning Committee shall: 

  1. Implement all conferences as charged by the Conference Council
  2. Work with any designated pre-conference chairs (topics and chairs to be selected by Conference Council with BOD approval) to incorporate the pre-conference
  3. Develop and maintain conference planning checklists and “how-to” manuals
  4. If concurrent DiMM or DiDMM activities are to be incorporated, work with the relevant committees 

Committee Leadership

Sarah Schlein, MD, FAWM, DiMM Chair
Dave Young, MD, MS, FAWM, DiMM Board Liaison
Alicia Wilson, WFA Staff Liaison
Gabi Glass, CMP, WFA Staff Liaison

Adventure Ed Council

Charge

The Adventure Ed Council shall generally oversee all aspects of Adventure Ed organization and implementation.  Specific charges of the Council, as well as any associated complementary and/or subordinate committees, will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Council Leadership

Ann Bowers, MD, FACEP, FAWM, DiMM, DiDMM Chair
Avinash Patil, MD Adventure Ed Council Chair
Gabi Glass, CMP, WFA Staff Liaison

Adventure Ed Committee

Charge

The Adventure Ed Committee shall:

  1. Administer the Adventure Ed programs that have been reviewed and approved by the Conference Council
  2. If the Adventure Ed is sponsored (ie. comes with its own responsible group), the subcommittee will provide oversight to ensure successful implementation.
  3. If the Adventure Ed is not sponsored, the committee (with approval from the Conference Council Chair) will assign necessary faculty and other relevant individuals and ensure satisfactory transition if the program is going to be repeated.
  4. Develop and maintain Adventure Ed template, handbook, and “how to propose, develop, and launch” manual for prospective programs

Committee Leadership

Ann Bowers, MD, FACEP, FAWM, DiMM, DiDMM Chair
Avinash Patil, MD Board Liaison
Alicia Wilson, WFA Staff Liaison
Gabi Glass, CMP, WFA Staff Liaison
Teri Howell Staff Liaison

Global Health, Disaster & Humanitarian Special Interest Leadership Committee

Charge

The Global Health Committee shall engage WMS Members in participating in the governance of an active Global Health initiative, including educational, communication, and volunteer activities. The committee is to provide guidance and opportunity for Members of the Society to become knowledgeable concerning issues affecting global health and to facilitate Society Members with participation opportunities.

Committee Leadership

Terri Davis, MD, FAWM Chair
Ali S. Arastu, MD, FAWM Board Liaison

Environmental Special Interest Leadership Committee

Charge

The Environmental Committee shall work to engage the wilderness medicine community in active dialogue on the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Committee Leadership

Dr. Freston Marc Sirur, MD-Emergency Medicine, FAWM Chair
Avinash Patil, MD Board Liaison

Operational Medicine Special Interest Leadership Committee

Charge

The Operational Medicine Committee shall acquire and function as a conduit for the latest operational medical research and field knowledge from the military.

Committee Leadership

Ryan Kelly, CRNP, FNP-C, ENP-C, CEN, FAWM, WP-C Chair
Gustavo E. Flores, MD, NRP, FP-C, TP-C, WP-C, FAWM Community Engagement Coordinator (SILC)
Camilla Sulak, MD, MEd, EMT Board Liaison

Search & Rescue Special Interest Leadership Committee

Charge

The Search and Rescue Committee shall promote the delivery of high-quality medical care in search and rescue operations.

Committee Leadership

Cassie Lowry, DO, FAWM Chair
Sue Spano, MD, FACEP, MFAWM Board Liaison

Women in Wilderness Medicine Special Interest Leadership Committee

Charge

Because guidance from mentors, coaches, sponsors, and connectors is critical for the success of our female WMS membership, the Women in Wilderness Medicine Committee is charged with:

  1. Creating opportunities for mentorship and creating connections for women WMS members to align their interests, projects and support individual as well as WMS growth. 
  2. Spearheading women in wilderness specific CME trips and conference events. 
  3. Developing programs to promote leadership and academic success with scholarship opportunities and advancement pathways in wilderness medicine.
  4. Creating a women’s speakers bureau. 
  5. Reviewing the current state of the WMS for gender equality issues and monitoring and tracking bias within the WMS.
  6. Addressing gender equity issues in the field of wilderness medicine with advocacy and specialty statements and/or policies. 

Committee Leadership

Kelly Ray, FAWM Chair
Kimberly Kaiser, MD, FAWM Secretary (SILC)
Kristen Hamilton, FAWM, MMed, NRP, WP-C, FP-C, TP-C Community Engagement Coordinator (SILC)
Christanne Coffey, MD, FACEP, DiDMM, MFAWM Board Liaison