WRMC presents Risk Management Award to Johnson

LANDER, WYO—The Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) presented the seventh annual Charles (Reb) Gregg Wilderness Risk Management last week in Portland, Ore.

David Johnson, M.D., was recognized with the award, which is given to an individual who has made significant contributions in risk management to the outdoor education and adventure profession.

“This award honors an individual who has provided leadership, and who’s work has contributed to the important dialogue that we must have to advance our field,” said NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute Curriculum Director Tod Schimelpfenig. “This year’s recipient, Dr. Johnson, has provided leadership to our industry by his honesty, directness, keen insight and overall professionalism.”

Johnson is the president and medical director of Wilderness Medical Associates and has worked to establish and implement guidelines and training programs for medical screeners. He is a leader in establishing best practices in field medical treatment and in collaborative conversations among the major wilderness schools, and more.

“I value this conference. It has helped to make collegial and I hope valuable collaborations among wilderness medical training organizations possible,” Johnson said upon accepting the award before urging attendees to find ways to increase diversity at the WRMC.

Schimelpfenig concluded, “[Johnson] neither seeks nor covets notoriety. He seems content to be quietly doing good work for wilderness medicine and risk management in the shadows.”

Nonetheless, his work and leadership have not gone unnoticed at the Wilderness Risk Management Conference or in the industry.

About the WRMC

The Wilderness Risk Management Conference’s (WRMC) core objective is to offer an outstanding educational experience to help mitigate the risks inherent in exploring, working, teaching, and recreating in wild places. NOLS is the lead co-sponsor of the WRMC, in conjunction with the Student Conservation Association and Outward Bound.

About NOLS

Since legendary mountaineer Paul Petzoldt founded the school in 1965, more than 254,000 students have graduated from the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), the leader in wilderness education. Whether through field-based courses offered in some of the most awe-inspiring locations in the world or classroom-based courses, the school provides transformative educational experiences to students of all ages. Graduates emerge as active leaders with lifelong environmental ethics and outdoor skills. To discover the NOLS experience or to bring a course to your business or organization, call (800) 710-NOLS (6657) or visit www.nols.edu.

Contact: Please send questions or requests to [email protected].