One Grad’s Journey from Denali to Emergency Room Medicine

Andy Elsberg, NOLS grad and former instructor, originally came to Alaska to climb Denali, but taking wilderness medicine courses inspired him to ultimately pursue a medical degree. Today, he works in the emergency department at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage, working to combat gun violence, a drug epidemic, and a struggling mental health care system.

“[Elsberg] was a student in the National Outdoor Leadership School, a famous and challenging adventure program, and NOLS invited him back to be an instructor. At that point, he thought his life would be about outdoor education. The wilderness medicine courses he took were a means to that end.

Elsberg came to Alaska in 1993 to climb Denali— which he did successfully—then worked for NOLS and other guiding companies. He had found where he wanted to be, in big mountains, on snow and crossing glaciers, a skill he compares to dealing with the unexpected in the emergency department.”

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