Redefining Emergency Care in the Mountains
The International Mountain Medicine Center (IMMC) at the University of New Mexico is one of the premier programs for mountain emergency medicine and rescue in the world. Our faculty consists of mountain rescue paramedics, emergency medicine physicians, and mountain guides. We focus our teachings on internationally accepted and evidence based concepts, and strive to contribute to the general knowledge base of our field through research, education, and our own mountain rescue practice in New Mexico. Our internationally recognized courses equip health professionals with the knowledge and skills to adapt their medical practices to the mountains. Students leave ready to become technical and medical leaders for rescue teams around the globe.
The UNM International Mountain Medicine Center brings a highly experienced, deeply passionate, and talented faculty to the indoor and outdoor classrooms. Their methods are firmly rooted in the principles of adult learning and experiential education, and they are quite adept at delivering complex content. A fully evidenced-based curriculum (medicine and technical rescue) provides the foundation for the development of solid reasoning, sound clinical judgment, and critical thinking. Expect to be challenged physically, and intellectually, and to leave more knowledgeable and skilled in your chosen craft.
The Diploma in Mountain Medicine sets the international standard for advanced mountain medicine training for Physicians, APP’s, Nurses and Paramedics. The course includes nearly 200 hours of didactic and practical training in mountain rescue. Students gain a thorough understanding of commonly encountered wilderness pathologies and spend hours simulating complex patient care in extreme environments and difficult terrain. This training equips health professionals with the knowledge and skills to adapt their medical practices to the mountains. Students are held to a high standard, and are expected to demonstrate through written and practical examinations both understanding of didactics and competency performing rope rescue skills. Students leave ready to become technical and medical leaders for rescue teams around the globe.
Our program is accredited by the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA), International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR) and the International Society for Mountain Medicine (ISMM). Per this accreditation, each successful graduate will receive an internationally recognized Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DIMM).
We offer two schedule options: Online + Seminar Hybrid and Semester Based
1) ONLINE and SEMINAR HYBRID
This option appeals to the active professional who hopes to continue their work while earning a Diploma in Mountain Medicine. This course is divided into 2 components:
CME Information:
The disclosure information and accreditation awarded is per DiMM session.
Completion of the DiMM program requires participation in two DiMM sessions (summer seminar and a winter seminar).
Disclosure:
UNM CME policy, in compliance with the ACCME Standards of Commercial Support, requires that
anyone who is in a position to control the content of an activity disclose all relevant financial
relationships they have had within the last 24 months with a commercial interest related to the
content of this activity.
The following planners and faculty disclose that they have no financial relationships with any commercial interest:
Jason Williams (Faculty Planner), Rob Alunday, Jon Femling, Drew Harrell, Darryl Macias, Angela Martz, Trevor Mayschak, Aaron Reilly, Nick Weiss and Jenna White.
The following CME Reviewers disclose that they have no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest: Kathy Breckenridge, Robert P. Giebitz, PhD, Jennifer Harbaugh and Gary Smith, PhD
Accreditation
The University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Office of Continuing Medical Education is
accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing
medical education for physicians. The Office of Continuing Medical Education designates this live
activity for a maximum of 68.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the
credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Course Fees:
*Students must attend both a Summer and a Winter session to complete the DiMM.
2) SEMESTER BASED COURSE (BS-EMS, Concentration in International Mountain Medicine)
For UNM students completing their final year of the Bachelor of Science – Emergency Medical Services undergraduate degree this program involves 3 university courses and 15 total credit hours over 2 semesters. Students must be admitted to the BS-EMS degree, entering into their senior year, and licensed as a paramedic.
Our semester program begins each August. Please contact us by March 31st of the same year if you are interested in this format.
A specialty rescue course of the Diploma in Mountain Medicine, the Alpine Helicopter Rescue Specialty Course Module (AHEMS & Alpine Flight Crew Emergency Survival Training AFCEST), is intended to support the work of health care professionals who are or aspire to be a part of an alpine helicopter rescue and EMS team. UNM offers the only AHMES course in the United States accredited by the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA), International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR) and the International Society for Mountain Medicine (ISMM). A collaborative curriculum provided by the University of New Mexico, International Mountain Medicine Center, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department Metro Air Support Unit, and the Bernalillo County Fire Department, Air Rescue Task Force, this seven-day course includes basic and advanced helicopter rescue techniques to include:
The foundational Diploma in Mountain Medicine (or relevant rescue and climbing experience) is required. Contact us for more information
or
The IMMC is uniquely positioned to offer custom and specialized educational courses tailored to providers and groups who operate in technical, remote, and prolonged field care environments. Courses have included:
A quick and essential introduction to the basics of medical care for the ill and injured in the backcountry, our Wilderness First Aid course covers the most basic knowledge to provide first aid far from a city center. This 16-hour course is completed partially online with one, full-day field session.
Who is this course for?
Whether you lead groups on wilderness outings or are an avid weekend warrior, adding a basic level of medical training to your preparedness will help you manage the first moments, minutes and hours of an emergency in the backcountry. We are a group of mountain rescue paramedics and physicians, and we know that bystanders and group leaders often have the opportunity to act early and effectively to prevent emergencies from spiraling out of control.
What will I learn?
This is our most basic mountain medicine course that we teach. We cover the essentials of life saving techniques to help correct problems with a patients airway, breathing, and circulation. We address commonly encountered illnesses and injuries in the backcountry, like hypothermia, bites and stings, injuries to bones and joints, and spinal/head injuries.
How is this course taught?
This is an online and practical hybrid course involving self-paced online content and an in-person hands-on practical day.
When is this course offered?
We run Wilderness First Aid courses throughout the calendar year. Email us to enquire.
Have a group that needs WFA training? We commonly teach WFA courses on contract with organizations hoping to train personnel in Wilderness First Aid. These groups are commonly SAR teams, summer camps, and field researchers. We can schedule these courses based on your availability. Email us to schedule a WFA for your organization.
Our Wilderness First Responder Refresher course strikes the perfect balance between time invested and confidence earned for any community member, SAR member, or guide treating backcountry emergencies. This 20-hour course is completed partially online with one, full-day field session.
We accept current WFR certifications from most wilderness medicine training programs.
How is this course taught?
This is an online and practical hybrid course involving self-paced online content and an in-person hands-on practical day.
Have a group that needs WFR Refresher training? We commonly teach courses on contract with organizations hoping to train personnel in Wilderness First Aid. Groups have included the American Mountain Guides Association, SAR teams, etc. We can schedule these courses based on your availability. Email us to schedule a WFR Recertification course for your organization.
Our Wilderness Upgrade for Medical Professionals (commonly called a Wilderness EMT Upgrade) builds on initial medical training to prepare rescuers and outdoor enthusiasts for the demands of emergency care in the mountains. Our upgrade course is 16 hours online with 2 full-day practical field sessions.
How is this course taught?
This is an online and practical hybrid course or a purely online course with live video sessions
Have a group that needs training? We commonly teach courses on contract with organizations hoping to train personnel in Wilderness Medicine. We can schedule these courses based on your availability. Email us to schedule a course for your organization.
The standard of education provided is exceptional. Faculty are experienced. Highly recommend the UNM DiMM course. Well worth my travel from Australia to attend the practical sessions.
A rigorous one year-long experience designed to give fellows experience in in mountain, wilderness, SAR emergency medicine situations locally, nationally, and internationally.
The WAM Elective is a month-long course for physicians, residents and medical students. This month of immersion in wilderness and mountain medicine introduces students to the management of a wide range of medical pathologies from the perspective of resource limited and environmentally challenging settings.
International Mountain Medicine
MSC 11 6260
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
Phone: (505) 272-5062
Fax: (505) 272-6503
hsc-immc@salud.unm.edu
Phone: (505) 272-5062
hsc-immc@salud.unm.edu
