So You Wanna Be A...?
CAWM Webinar Series (SYWBA)Questions About How to Start Your Career in Wilderness Medicine?
Each episode of SYWBA will feature a speaker from a different career in wilderness medicine. Paramedics, SARtechs, physicians, nurses, mountain guides, and more! The first two episodes (November and March) will be free for all to attend, future episodes will only be accessible to CAWM members.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this series, participants will be able to…
- Identify key education pathways necessary for a career in various fields of wilderness medicine
- Recognize the different possible career paths in wilderness medicine
- Identify the necessary steps required to pursue a career in wilderness medicine
Airing: July 16, 2025 @ 18:00 MT
Speaker: Dr. Anne-Marie LeBlanc, MDCM, CCFP (SEM), Dip Sport Med
Speaker Bio:
Dr LeBlanc is a Sport and Exercise medicine physician based in Whitehorse, Yukon. She is originally from a very small village in Québec, and grew up always trying to get lost in the "woods" next door to her house. She is a family medicine residency and sport and exercise medicine fellowship graduate from McGill University. She is also a founding member of the Canadian Association of Wilderness Medicine, and previous secretary for three years. She is now a current elected board member for the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine. She is also the current Chief Medical Officer for the Arctic Winter Games that will take place in Whitehorse in March 2026.
The spell of the Yukon is a true thing as she has been living there intermittently since 2012 – always being drawn back to the inspiring greatness of the beautiful wild spaces one can find up there. Prior to her arrival in the Yukon in 2012, sport and exercise medicine did not "exist" in the Yukon. She is proud to have created this new service in the Yukon since 2018, and now serves a very active community of outdoor enthusiasts up there. She is excited to share her experience as a trailblazer with you!
Please log in or purchase a CAWM membership to access the episode.
Please log in or purchase a CAWM membership to register for the webinar.
Aired: February 19, 2025 @ 18:00 MT
Speaker: LCdr (Dr) Kaighley Brett MD, CCFP, DRCPSC
Speaker Bio: Kaighley is a Family Physician and a Consultant in Diving and Submarine Medicine (CDSM) with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). As a medical student she was drawn to undersea medicine as a recreational diver, however training options were hard to find. As a physician with the CAF, she was able to complete advanced training including the CAF Diving Medicine Basic, Diving Medicine Advanced and Submarine Medicine courses in 2015, a BScMedScHons(Underwater Medicine) in 2017, and a fellowship in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine in 2018. She is currently serving as the President of the Canadian Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine Association.
Please log in or purchase a CAWM membership to access the episode.
Aired: June 19th, 2024 @ 18:00 MST via Zoom
Speaker: Dr. Paula Slaney MD, CCFP, FAWM
Speaker Bio: Paula is a rural family physician living in Newfoundland and a clinical assistant professor with the department of family medicine at Memorial University. She completed her fellowship in the academy of wilderness medicine (FAWM) in 2019. She is passionate about wilderness medicine education and research as well as promoting the benefits of spending time in nature.
Her favourite activities include hiking, kayaking, camping, and traveling with her partner, Matthew and their two dogs, Everest, and Ziggy.
Please log in or purchase a CAWM membership to access the episode.
Aired: April 24th @ 18:00 MST via Zoom
Speaker: Justin "Jay" Darbyshire
Born on the coast and raised in the Kootenays Justin “Jay” Darbyshire possesses a deep passion for exploring landscape through outdoor recreation. He is a Team Leader and Search Manager with Grand Forks Search and Rescue as well as the operations officer and logistics officer. In addition to volunteering with GFSAR Jay is Mountain Operations Manager at Keefer Lake Lodge Catskiing, an Event Medic with Canadian Outdoor Medical Consulting and volunteers with the Red Resort Ski Patrol. His background in public and commercial recreation gives him a broad perspective on risk management and public safety in the mountains.
Please log in or purchase a CAWM membership to access the episode.
Aired: March 27, 2024 @ 18:00 MST via Zoom
Speaker: Carolyn-Kelly Smith MD, FRCPC, ICAR, DMM
Carolyn is an FRCPC trained in Emergency Medicine. She works as a Emergency Physician and Trauma Team Leader at Royal Columbian Hospital. Growing up in Squamish BC led to an early love of wilderness and mountain activities. During her residency she sought out subspecialty training in wilderness and mountain medicine and completed the IKAR Diploma in Mountain Medicine in Europe. She has since helped found the Canadian Society of Mountain Medicine and was a course director for the Canadian version of the DiMM. She combines her interest in the outdoors with emergency medicine by working as a physician for Whistler Blackcomb ski patrol, North Shore Search and Rescue and Mike Weigele’s Heliskiing. She has also spent time volunteering as a physician for the Himalaya Rescue Association in Nepal and on Kilimanjaro with a previous helicopter rescue service.
Aired: Nov 7, 2023 - 6:00PM MST
Speaker: Mackenzie Wardle
Banff EMS Paramedic, STARS Air Ambulance Aeromedical Crew, Ski Patroller, and Wilderness Medicine enthusiast. Mackenzie has a passion for the link between rescue, and prehospital medicine. As a Paramedic with Banff Emergency Medical Services, he has developed a strong integration with Parks Canada Visitor Safety department, aiding in the medical treatment within rescue operations. Mackenzie works as a Critical Care Paramedic across the prairies, where he continues to learn a great deal about prehospital and austere patient care. As a founding member of CAWM Mackenzie is passionate about wilderness medicine. He is an avid skier, mountain biker, hiker, and excessively mediocre xc skier.
