Medical Learners Interest Group

The CAWM Medical Learner Interest Group aims to foster a national community of medical learners interested in wilderness medicine. We aim to create an inclusive and interdisciplinary group that is passionate about growing access to the outdoors and our ability to manage emergencies in austere environments. We strive to ensure that the next generation of wilderness medicine professionals is well equipped to navigate the challenges of all outdoor activities.

Members must be active members of CAWM. The Medical Learner Interest Group operates under the guidance of the CAWM Board of Directors.

Objectives

Engage. Create opportunities to engage in wilderness medicine training and research.


Collaborate. Create a national network of medical learners interested in wilderness medicine.


Mentor. Connect learners to leaders and experts in the field of wilderness medicine.


Learn. Facilitate access to educational programming and community-building activities.


Explore. Take medical learning to the outdoors from coast to coast to coast.

Join the CAWM Medical Learners Interest Group Journal Club!

Dive into open, engaging conversations about the latest research & guidelines in wilderness and remote care. 
 
Whether you're a healthcare provider, outdoor professional, first aider, or simply passionate about wilderness medicine, you're welcome to share your perspective, swap stories, and learn alongside a like-minded community.
 
Each session focuses on practical, real-world applications of emerging evidence—designed to support better care in remote environments. Join the conversation and help shape the future of wilderness medicine in Canada!
 
FAWM credits MAY be available — stay tuned for updates!
Sign up using this FORM!
Image

Click the button below to join the discussion!

Episode #1 - Wednesday, September 24 @ 18:30 MT

Pilot Session

JOIN ZOOM
Image

Rayna Sharma

Medical Student, University of Calgary (Class of 2027)

Rayna Sharma is a medical student at the University of Calgary who still believes the best way to solve an existential crisis is by testing gravity—usually by clinging to a cliff face or skiing down slopes she’s probably not quite ready for. Before diving into the world of medicine, she was a strength and conditioning coach for the Canadian Armed Forces and dabbled in extreme environmental physiology research, so she’s used to handling stress…or at least pretending she is. While she’s traded in the open road of vanlife for equally adventurous night shifts, her climbing gear is never far away. When she’s not buried under textbooks, you’ll find her somewhere in the Rockies, trying not to break bones climbing, skiing and mountain biking– activities where lately she displays more stoke than skill.

Emma Windfeld

Medical Student, University of Calgary (Class of 2026)

Emma is a medical student at the University of Calgary with a passion for northern and remote medicine. 

 She holds a Master’s degree in Agroecology and a BA in the social determinants of health. Before medicine, Emma’s career with Parks Canada took her from Jasper’s Rockies to the remote islands, rivers, and tundra of the western Arctic. Prior to that, her research in climate change and global health found her working in South Africa and Uganda.

 In her spare time, you can find Emma running, cross country skiing, bikepacking, or learning (very slowly) how to backcountry ski. 

Image

Executive Team

Laura Meleady

Medical Student

Memorial University of Newfoundland (Class of 2026)

Hayden John

Medical Student 

Queen's University (Class of 2028)

Sean Harrop

Medical Student

University of Alberta (Class of 2028) 

Sophie Thomas

FRCPC Emergency Medicine Resident

University of British Columbia (Interior Site, Kelowna) 

Benjamin Van Bastelaere

Medical Student

University of Manitoba (Class of 2027)

Institution-Affiliated Interest Groups

Below is a list of University-affiliated Wilderness Medicine Interest Groups across Canada! Use this list to find a WMIG at your school. Contact programdirector@cawm.ca to get in touch with any of these groups that do not have contact information listed.
  • University of Ottawa Rural Medicine Interest Group (uoruralmed@gmail.com)
  • University of Ottawa Emergency Medicine Interest Group (uottawaemig@gmail.com)
  • NOSM University Rural Medicine Interest Group (ig.ruralmedicine@nosm.ca)
  • Queen's University Wilderness Medicine Interest Group (wildernessmedig@gmail.com)
  • McGill Wilderness Medicine Interest Group (msswildernessmedicine@gmail.com)
  • Université Laval Wilderness Medicine Interest Group (medxp.ulaval@gmail.com)
  • McMaster Rural Medicine Interest Group
  • University of Toronto Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
  • Western University Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
  • MUN Rural Medicine Interest Group
  • University of Alberta Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
  • University of British Columbia Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
  • University of Manitoba Wilderness Medicine Interest Group
  • University of Calgary Rural Medicine Interest Group

Medical Learners Synopses

Calling All Students & Residents – Applications Open for CAWM Medical Learner Interest Group Positions

February 7, 2023

Medical Learner Literature Synopses

January 23, 2023

Get In Touch

Email learners@cawm.ca

Or join our Facebook Page for updates, content, and community!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/cawmlearners/