Santiago Atuesta
Instructor BA, WFR |
A hiker and mountaineer, Santiago manages the outdoor program at Colegio Los Nogales where he leads students in hiking trips throughout Colombia. He also works as an instructor trainer and guide for FullSky Colombia and teaches WMTC courses for local guides and outdoor instructors. |
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Aaron Ball is an adventure educator, guide, and recreationalist. Aaron has been a ski patroller for Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, a member of the La Plata County Search and Rescue Team, a river and mountain guide, and an outdoor educator. Aaron is also a Swiftwater Rescue Instructor Trainer for Rescue 3 International, a Senior Lecturer and Operations Coordinator for the Adventure Education department at Fort Lewis College, an Instructor Trainer and Pro Avalanche Course Instructor for the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education and a guide and instructor for San Juan Mountain Guides. Aaron has a master’s degree in Adventure Education from Prescott College with a focus on risk management and is currently pursuing a PhD in education through the University of Idaho. Aaron lives in Durango, Colorado, with his family and spends much of his time working and playing in the mountains, deserts, and rivers of the Southwest.
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Paige Baugher
Instructor PhD, WEMR |
Paige has a degree in cancer biology and is a Professor of Biology at Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR. She has also taught outdoor courses for Pacific's Outdoor Pursuits Program including avalanche safety, rock climbing, and mountaineering. Paige is also a Rescue Leader with Portland Mountain Rescue and has forecasted and taught avalanche awareness classes for the Northwest Avalanche Center (NWAC). Paige likes to climb and ski glaciated peaks, rock climb, backpack, backcountry ski, ice climb, and trail run (slowly).
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Emily Dempsey
Instructor BS, WFR |
Emily hails from Michigan and is an avid paddler, hiker, and spends much of her free time camping by the Great Lakes with a loaded-down gravel bike. She also enjoys skiing and quilting. Emily has a B.S. in Biology from the University in Michigan and a growing passion for teaching wilderness medicine.
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Kellen Dion
Instructor WFR |
Kellen is the Assistant Director of the Outdoor Adventure program at Northern Arizona University (NAU). Born and raised in San Diego, CA. I got a track scholarship to ETAMU in 2014 and that's where I started my Outdoor career journey. I partake in all outdoor activities including hunting and fishing. I hold instructor certifications in rock climbing, mountain biking, snowboarding, and fitness. Always excited to learn new things.
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Bix Firer
Instructor MS, WEMT |
Bix Firer has over a decade of experience in outdoor experiential education. Bix is an avid backpacker, backcountry skier, mountain biker, and packrafter and whenever possible attempts to incorporate his passion for foraging and hunting wild foods into these pursuits. Bix lives in Anchorage, Alaska with his wife, Emma, and two trusty mutts. Bix Is the co-owner of Headwall Group, LLC and an Assistant Professor of Outdoor Studies at Alaska Pacific University.
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Garrett Genereux
Instructor BS, WEMT |
A dedicated trad dad, and all-around recreationalist, Garrett also is a rock climbing guide in addition to instructing wilderness medicine courses with Cascade Wilderness Medicine. With nearly a decade in full-time outdoor program management, Garrett is dedicated to the education and development of outdoor educators and enthusiasts. In that same vein, he works with Responder Alliance, an organization working towards advancing the national conversation on stress injury formation and recovery in responders of all types.
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Larry Goldstein
Physician Adviser MD, WFR |
A paddler, canyoneer, and world explorer, Larry spends his time doing locums work at Emergency Departments throughout the country, instructing NOLS and Outward Bound courses, and taking personal wilderness trips. Every now and again you can find Larry playing his guitar and singing around a remote campfire with friends.
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Zoey Gray
Instructor BS, WEMT |
Since Zoey took her first WMTC WFR course she’s been fascinated by the intersection of medicine and outdoor education. Zoey has worked in outdoor education since 2015 while also dabbling in medicine as a ski patroller at Brighton Resort, an EMT for the Emergency Department at the University of Utah Hospital, and an EMT and SAR member for Zion National Park. Currently she’s most excited about bikepacking, but is also into skiing, canyoneering, mountain biking, and whisperlite cheffing!
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Andy Guinn
Instructor MS, WFR |
Andy Guinn lives in Pagosa Springs, Colorado and teaches math, science, and computer science at a small, public alternative high school that has launched a certification program for students in outdoor leadership. Andy also guides for the local rafting company and coaches a youth mountain biking team. He enjoys rafting, mountain biking, and skiing (xc, downhill, back country) in the winter in his backyard range - the San Juan mountains.
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Tedra Hamel
Instructor BS, RN, WEMT |
After 10 years in outdoor education and wilderness medicine, Teddi transitioned to full time hospital nursing in a level 1 cardiac ICU in Seattle. Teaching wilderness medicine courses keeps her in touch with the "wilder" side of healthcare and working with students keeps me grounded in my first professional passion. She is able to bring in a deep perspective of the continuum of care from SAR to ICU, as well as lots of patient stories! I love teaching for WMTC in particular because we have exceptional resources (like the handbook and SOAP note) and our curriculum is truly top-notch. In her off time, she's skiing, climbing, paddling, or hanging in my garden with my chickens.
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Kenjiro Hayashi
Instructor MS, WFR |
Kenjiro instructs for WMTC Japan and helps run the Osaka YMCA Rokko Global Learning Center. He is the Director of the Rokkosan YMCA, which provides outdoor education programs for youth. Kenjiro also teaches Camp Instructor Courses sponsored by the Osaka YMCA for the Japan Camping Association. He as a masters degree in Education, is a WEA Certified Outdoor Educator, a LNT Master Educator Instructor, and a NCAJ Camp Director Grade Ⅰ.
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Patrick HigginsInstructor
WFR |
Patrick currently works for Alaska Pacific University teaching outdoor education classes as the Outdoor Studies Director. Patrick also volunteers for the Hope-Sunrise Fire Department and Search and Rescue and is an instructor and instructor trainer through the American Canoe Association (ACA) in swift water rescue, sea kayaking, whitewater kayaking, packrafting, and stand-up paddleboarding. In the winter, Patrick teaches skiing and snowboarding at Hilltop Ski Area in Anchorage and occasionally assists with the ski patrol. Patrick also has experience teaching surfing, rock climbing, backpacking, rafting, and mountaineering.
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Curt Howell
Instructor MA, WEMT |
Curt has been working in outdoor education since 2004. He managed two different university outdoor pursuits programs and was an Assistant Professor for Outdoor Education and Stewardship at Adams State University. Currently, he is the owner of Narrow Ridge, LLC which operates guided climbing and paddling trips in the San Luis Valley, Colorado and is a WMTC Licensed Provider. Curt holds a B.A. in Theology and a Master of Education in Educational Psychology. When not guiding or teaching, Curt enjoys being with his family, mountain biking, climbing and paddling, building furniture from locally sourced beetle kill spruce or just relaxing at home.
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Scott Jordan
Instructor PhD, WEMT-retired |
Scott Jordan is an Associate Professor in the Outdoor Recreation Leadership and Management program and the Director of the Administration of Outdoor Recreation and Nature-based Tourism MS degree at Northern Michigan University (a WMTC Affiliate provider). Scott has worked as a guide, in aerial adventure industries, and higher education. He has served as President of the Board of Directors for the Wilderness Education Association and on the Executive Committee of the Professional Ropes Course Association. Scott also participated in the development of an American national standard for zip line and challenge course construction and operations and has co-authored a textbook on the topic. Most recently, Scott’s research interests have turned to community planning in association with sustainable nature based tourism development in rural areas. When not working, Scott enjoys fly fishing, mountain biking, and hikes with his wife Cathy and dog Kraken.
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Aaron Kent
Instructor MA, Advanced WEMT |
Aaron is the owner of Southwest Rescue, a WMTC Licensed business based in Durango, CO. His background is in disaster response and public health, and he aspires to be mediocre at ALL outdoor activities. He has a masters degree in Outdoor Education, is an adjunct faculty at Fort Lewis College, a volunteer on La Plata County Search-and-Rescue, and a firefighter/EMT with Durango Fire. He is also a regional manager for Rescue 3 International, which has him teaching in the Southwest United States, Southeast Asia, and South America.
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Alison Lay Cranston
Instructor BS, MA, WEMT |
An avid climber, skier, mountaineer, boater and mountain biker, Alison currently teaches in the Natural Resources Program at Oregon State University - Cascades. She has been a Course Director and senior instructor for the Northwest Outward Bound School, as well as an Instructor for several other expedition-based outdoor education programs. She has also worked as a Biological Science Technician and Wildland Firefighter at Glacier National Park, where she was involved with several large-scale Search and Rescue missions. Alison owns and operates Cascade Wilderness Medicine, a WMTC licensed provider.
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Katherine Miller
Instructor MS, WEMT |
Katherine enjoys backpacking, climbing, paddling, and riding her gravel bike. She currently works as the coordinator for UREC Outdoors at the University of Arkansas. When she isn't working she prefers to spend her free time reading a good book, perfecting her backcountry recipes, learning a new outdoor skill, or exploring the gravel roads around her. Katherine owns and operates Wildgrace Outdoors, LLC - a WMTC Licensed Provider.
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Stu Montgomery
Instructor BS, WFR |
In addition to instructing for WMTC, Stu works with Outward Bound at the Mazama base camp where he enjoys skiing, climbing, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.
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Kota Morimoto
Instructor BC, WFR |
Kota instructs for WMTC Japan and is the Outdoor Training Director at Encourage Co., Ltd., which
provides outdoor education and training for companies, primarily in Kyushu, Japan. He is an Outward Bound instructor and has experience guiding in Canada and New Zealand. Kota is also a WEA Certified Outdoor Educator and a LNT Master Educator Instructor. |
Phonnita (Meow) Nakasint
Instructor M.D., FTCEP |
Meow is an emergency physician with a diploma in expedition and wilderness medicine. She serves as the director of emergency medicine education and clinical advisory for MedPro Extreme, where she leads scenario-based training in wilderness EMS, technical rescue, and remote medical care for healthcare professionals, EMS personnel, and outdoor leaders throughout Thailand. In addition to her clinical role at Bangkok Hospital Pakchong, Meow is deeply passionate about the outdoors, with experience in rock climbing, alpine trekking, canyoning, skiing, and backcountry travel. She has spent years exploring remote environments across Asia, driven by the knowledge that better training could have changed everything and now determined to be that change for others.
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Harry Hguyen
Instructor WFR |
Harry's love for outdoor adventure runs deep. From hiking and camping to rock climbing, diving, kayaking, running, cycling, and mountaineering, he thrives in environments where self-reliance and teamwork intersect. These experiences have fueled my commitment to safety, readiness, and education in remote settings. Harry teaches for the JUMP! Foundation based in Thailand and has a passion for both the outdoors and empowering others through skillful preparedness. He's committed to cultivating independent, high-quality instructors through rigorous, student-centered training and is particularly drawn to the continuous learning embedded in WMTC’s teaching philosophy, which challenges instructors to stay sharp, adaptive, and reflective.
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Thinuwan Nanayakkara
Instructor WFR |
Thinuwan is committed to making wilderness medical training more accessible Sri Lanka. There's a need for practical, high-quality instruction, and I want to help outdoor leaders gain the skills to respond
effectively in remote situations. His favourite outdoor activities are mountaineering, cross-country cycling, and birdwatching. He also enjoys challenging treks, long-distance cycling across varied terrain, and observing wildlife in nature. Thinuwan has been part of emergency response teams during events like the 2016 floods in Sri Lanka and he is trained as a national search and rescue operator. He's also trained military SAR units on rope rescue techniques. His real-world emergency experience has shaped his practical, calm approach to teaching, with a focus on clear thinking in high-pressure situations. |
Paul Nicolazzo
President, Director BA, WEMT-retired |
Paul founded WMTC and now spends his time supporting the company by managing WMTC's curriculum and publications, and overseeing finances and operations. Paul works part-time as an outdoor program risk management consultant and is an active member of the Wilderness Medicine Education Collaborative (WMEC), a professional group responsible for setting standards for WFA, WAFA, and WFR certifications. A climber, skier, canyoneer, and paddler with numerous first ascents and descents in his resume, Paul now recreates a lot closer to home in the mountains and rivers of northern Washington on his skis and paddleboard and spending time with family.
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Taito Okamura
Instructor PhD, WFR |
A backpacker, skier, climber and paddler, Taito owns Backcountry Classroom Inc. where he provides outdoor leadership programs to companies, professional sports teams and communities. Backcountry Classroom is a Licensed WMTC Provider. Taito is a Wilderness Education Association Certifying Examiner and a Leave No Trace Master Educator Instructor. Taito also established the Wilderness Education Association Japan and Leave No Trace Japan.
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Ethan Pierce
Instructor WEMT |
Ethan comes from a background in Outdoor/Adventure Education and Recreation and has taught and guided across the US and internationally. Currently, Ethan works as a Guide for OARS, a Course Director and Staff Trainer for The Colorado Outward Bound School, a Swiftwater Rescue Technician Instructor with Rescue3 and Southwest Rescue, and runs his own small business making hand-balms. When he's not working, Ethan enjoys river trips (especially Westwater Canyon), technical canyoneering, and playing guitar/singing with friends.
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Derek Prill
Instructor MS, WEMT |
Derek Prill lives in the High Peaks of NY’s Adirondack Park and serves his community as an Advanced EMT and Volunteer Firefighter. He also volunteers with the County Medical Reserve Corps, Search & Rescue of Northern Adirondacks, and with the Whiteface Ski Patrol. Derek has an Undergraduate degree in Adventure Education and a M.S. in Complementary & Alternative Medicine (Herbal Medicine Concentration). He has been a competitive equestrian, Eagle Scout, sprint triathlete, PSIA & AASI Instructor, and he served as a Medic in the US Army with a long tour in Afghanistan. Within the last decade, he has worked with the YMCA as a Director of the Wilderness Program at a NY Summer Camp and worked as an Adjunct Professor for the Adventure Education immersion-semester at his Alma-mater - Green Mountain College. He now Recreates through hiking, biking, canoeing, rock climbing, nordic & alpine skiing, hunting, fishing, camping, forest bathing, hand drumming, qigong…and fixing things. He owns and operates Feral Medicine LLC - a WMTC Licensed Provider and is a DEC Licensed NYS Guide.
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Levi Pendleton
Instructor MS, WFR, OEC |
A paddler, skier, climber, mountain biker, paraglider and all things motorsports, Levi works as the coordinator for the outdoor program at Southern Utah University, a WMTC Affiliate Provider. Prior to working in higher education, he spent various seasons river guiding and ski patrolling. When he is not working, he enjoys learning new outdoor activities and continuing to pursue time in the mountains.
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Paul Przybylowicz
Instructor PHD, WFR |
Owner of Sound Wilderness Medicine (a licensed WMTC provider), Paul is a climber, rafter, backcountry skier, fisherman, and forager. Paul has been faculty at The Evergreen State College for over 30 years. In addition to wilderness medicine, Paul teaches mycology, human biology, human anatomy & physiology, ecology and outdoor leadership. Paul brings decades of expertise in experiential teaching and learning into every course.
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Joel Reid
Instructor BA, Advanced WEMT |
A climber, mountaineer, and sea kayaker. Joel owns Cascade Outdoor Education, a Licensed WMTC Provider and has been an both a field educator and outdoor education administrator for many years.
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Drew Ross
Physician Advisor MD, MS, WEMT |
A climber, skier, and paddler, Drew is an former WMTC and -Outward Bound instructor; he now spends his time working in the hospital and outside playing with his family.
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Koichi Sakata
Instructor MS, WFR |
Koichi instructs for WMTC Japan and is the Director of the Kobe YMCA Yoshima Outdoor Activity Center in Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. He has a masters degree in Education, is a WEA Certified Outdoor Educator, and a LNT Master Educator Instructor.
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Sarasak (Boss) Sirisatit
Instructor WEMT |
Boss is the founder of MedPro Extreme, one of Thailand’s leading training providers in rescue education, technical rescue, and wilderness and emergency medicine. He is also a Rescue 3 International instructor and teaches courses for the American College of Surgeons. He works in collaboration with many of Thailand’s leading hospitals to support the growth and development of emergency medicine professionals, with a focus on both prehospital care and complex operational environments. He has participated in numerous expeditions across Alaska, Utah, Colorado, Japan, China, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Malawi, Turkey, Brazil, and others, in addition to ongoing programs throughout Thailand. Outside of teaching, Boss is passionate about the outdoors and spends his personal time rock climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering, swiftwater paddling, hiking, off-road adventuring, and skiing (yes, even from Thailand).
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Andrew Saunders
Instructor MS, WEMT |
Andrew Saunders is owner and lead instructor for Viking Response and Recreation and Consulting. He also teaches for the unique International Rescue and Relief degree program at Union College as a WMTC Affiliate Provider. He has been an EMT since 2009, a Rescue 3 instructor since 2012, and a WMTC instructor since 2018. Andrew has spent many years working overseas in disaster areas such as Iraq and Ukraine during civil conflict. He is also an avid rock climber, swift water paddler, hiker, mountaineer, and off-roader. He has taught classes all over the world for private companies and public organizations. Andrew is passionate about education, mitigation, and preparation, and ensuring people are trained to do their jobs well.
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Wei (Sundos) Song
Instructor RN, WFR |
Sundos was trained as a nurse within operating rooms, emergency wards, and Intensive Care Units across China, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia. More recently, she transitioned into the realm of education, overseeing language instruction initiatives, camp management, and forest kindergarten endeavors. In 2023, Sundos and her business partner Yanjie Zhang became collaborators at the Enlighten Outdoor Leadership (EOLTC) project, with the objective to introduce a specialized wilderness medicine curriculum to China that is designed for outdoor instructors, guides, and college students focused on outdoor leadership and recreation.
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Sunnosuke Sou
Instructor WFR |
Sunnosuke is active throughout the country as a disaster response specialist, including as a member of the National Relief Activities Research Group, a disaster prevention creator for FRTD Japan, and a member of the ARROWS Flying Medical Team. He is also a former firefighter with the Tokyo Fire Department. Sunnosuke is also certified as a NPORIRO Rescue Instructor and a FRTD Certified Disaster Prevention Creator.
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Josh Stratman
Instructor MS, WEMT |
A climber, mountaineer, skier, canyoneer, and paddler, Josh is the director of the Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education associate degree program at Mt Hood Community College; Mt Hood CC is a WMTC Affiliate Provider.
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Kazunobu Sumiyoshi
Instructor WFR |
Kazunobu is the director of the Kurikoma Highland Nature School in Japan. They provide instruction and services for outdoor education, nature experiences for children, and outdoor activities, mainly in Miyagi Prefecture. He is also certified as a WEA Outdoor Educator, LNT Level 2 Instructor, and RAJ Guide.
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Tiana White
Instructor, Operations, Special Projects MS, WEMT |
In addition to being a WMTC lead instructor, Tiana works full-time with WMTC's Operations and Special Projects, which includes training instructors and working with sponsors to facilitate courses. When not teaching or admin-ing, Tiana enjoys time in the garden and remote human-powered multi-modal explorations of the deserts and mountains of the Intermountain West. Her personal and professional adventures have taken her all over the US from Maine to Alaska and internationally to India, Canada, Mexico, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Singapore and China. Tiana has over 25 years in outdoor education, instructed for the National Outdoor Leadership School, has run several outdoor programs throughout the US, and values WMTC's focus on high-quality wilderness medicine education.
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As the chairman of the National Rescue Activities Research Association, Tokujiro is active nationwide in Japan as a disaster response specialist, serving as a disaster prevention creator for FRTD Japan and an advisor for the flying medical search and rescue team ARROWS. He is also a former member of the Tokyo Fire Department's Hyper Rescue Team and has experience in mountain rescue. He's also a NPORIRO Rescue Instructor, Paramedic, and FRTD Certified Disaster Prevention Creator
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Tokujiro Yakushi
Instructor
WFR
Instructor
WFR
Ryoji Yamamoto
Instructor BC, WFR |
Ryoji instructs for WMTC Japan and is the Camp Director at the Kobe YMCA Yoshima Outdoor Activities Center, which provides camp programs for young people and trains volunteer leaders. He is also a WEA Certified Outdoor Leader and a LNT Master Educator.
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Yanjie Zhang
Instructor WFR |
For Yanjie, being an Outdoor Adventure Educator and Adventure Guide is more than a profession—it is a way of life. In his free time, he immerses himself in the mountains whenever possible, pursuing his passions for backpacking, rock climbing, and mountaineering. Looking forward, Yanjie aims to expand his expertise by strengthening his ability to bridge research and practice. Yanjie is deeply inspired by WMTC's forward-thinking philosophy and educational approach. He is excited to help bring WMTC high-quality training to a wider audience in China in the years ahead.
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