Barefoot in the Sand

Ocean breeze, 80’s and sunny, dogs playing in the surf, life doesn’t get any better. It’s all fun and games until someone steps on a Stingray. Or a rattlesnake. In the few short months I’ve been working in California, I’ve seen three patients present to the Emergency Department (ED) with rattlesnake bites – two envenomations. That’s three…

They Created a Monster

From the Bottle Some people acquire tastes. I acquired a taste for sushi, however, I was born with a taste for alcohol. Growing up, starting from as far back as I can remember, age three or four, our parents gave us sips from their drinks. Wine, beer, Dewers on the rocks with a splash of soda (or…

Smart People On the Ground in West Africa

I recently returned from our annual Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) summer meeting, where I spent some quality time with some Mega-Smart people. This year we joined forces with the International Society for Travel Medicine (ISTM) in Jackson Hole, WY, hosting over 500 attendees for five high-value content days learning about everything from advances in Frostbite Management to The Border…

Jersey Shore

Hey, Old Friend A while back, out walking my dog one day, I ran into an old friend from high school. We hadn’t talked in 10 years maybe. He was on the phone, and I was on the phone. I was just back from a long trip, still reveling in my happy place. He didn’t…

Running Wild

I probably had it right back when I first started running: if I ran at just the right pace (and that means SLOW), I could probably run forever.  For a long time that’s how I rolled. I only wore a watch when I went out for a long one just to make sure I’d return before…