Idaho WWAMI medical students stepped beyond the classroom this month and into the rugged terrain of Cottonwood Butte during the annual Wilderness Medicine Retreat — an immersive weekend designed to prepare them for rural and remote practice.
Throughout the retreat, students rotated through hospital-based skill stations focused on airway/breathing, circulation, and disability/exposure before heading into the hills for full-scale emergency simulations. They practiced placing airways and traction splints, improvising c-collars and back splints from available supplies, managing major bleeds, transporting patients, and triaging injuries in resource-limited settings.
“It was a great experience!” said Idaho WWAMI first-year student Trevor Kendrick.
Kendrick especially valued the final integrated scenarios.
“I loved the major scenarios at the end because they integrated all of the new skills I learned in a way that required me to think for myself about when and where to apply each skill, rather than simply repeat what I was shown,” he said. “I also loved the group bonding activities, such as hiking up to the radio tower.”
For fellow student Mackenzie Burr, also a first-year Idaho WWAMI student, the realism of the backcountry simulations stood out. One scenario involved a car and an ATV accident with multiple patients, requiring rapid assessment and
coordinated response. Another centered on a logging accident, underscoring the limitations providers may face in remote areas.
“I liked the focus they placed on resource-limited scenarios where you have to make do with what you have on hand, which is so relevant in rural areas and emergencies,” Burr said.
Students also met with a Life Flight team, touring the helicopter and learning about the capabilities and constraints of air transport in rural Idaho.
Reflecting on the experience, Burr emphasized the long-term impact of the training.
“These scenarios prepare us in so many ways! They’re a great way to build the muscle memory of responding to an emergency effectively so you’re not scrambling as much when you get there, and prepare you a little bit more with improvising and adjusting as needed with each unique scenario that we could encounter in the future,” she said.
The retreat was made possible through a partnership with Clearwater Valley St. Mary’s Health, whose Wilderness Medicine team led the training.
“I’m super grateful for this opportunity!” Kendrick said. “I not only feel more prepared for backcountry emergencies, but also a closer tie to rural Idaho.”
Experiential learning like this ensures Idaho WWAMI students are ready to meet the realities of practicing medicine across the state — wherever patients need them most.
