Dr. Nathan Charlton, MD 
Director, Wilderness Medicine Education Program
Co-Medical Director, Blue Ridge Poison Center
University of Virginia
Nathan Charlton obtained his medical degree at the University of South Florida in Tampa and completed his emergency medicine residency at Palmetto Health Richland/USC in Columbia, South Carolina where he obtained a certificate in hyperbaric medicine. Growing up in Florida he developed a love for the water and enjoys snorkeling, diving, wakeboarding, surfing and fishing. Research interests include natural toxins; he is currently involved in research on the thrombocytopenic effects of timber rattlesnake venom.  In addition to wilderness medicine, multiple medical mission trips have added international experience.

Dr. Christopher Holstege, MD FACEP, FAAEM, FACMT
Director, Division of Medical Toxicology
Co-Medical Director, Blue Ridge Poison Center
Director, Medical Toxicology Fellowship Program
University of Virginia
Christopher Holstege is Director of the Division of Medical Toxicology and Associate Professor of the Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Virginia.  In 2004, he integrated wilderness medicine into UVA's medical toxicology rotation to allow students and residents to gain training in wilderness medicine throughout the academic year.  In 2008, he lead the team that designed and gained UVA School of Medicine approval for a 2 week intensive wilderness medicine course to occur each spring and fall.  This course integrates the expertise found within academia, private enterprise, and government entities to give trainees a broad depth of wilderness medicine training.  Dr. Holstege has published numerous articles pertaining wilderness medicine and is currently performing research in that realm. In 2008, in collaboration with the National Park Service, he completed a study on medical and traumatic injury encountered in the Shenandoah National Park that was published in the Journal of Wilderness and Environmental Medicine.  He currently serves as a member of the steering committee for the Appalachian Center for Wilderness Medicine and serves on the American Heart Association's First Aid Science Advisory Board.  His wife and 6 children are avid hikers, campers, and rafters who frequent the Blue Ridge Mountains near their Virginia home and the Big Horn Mountains near their extended family's home in Wyoming and Montana.

Dr. Mark Kirk, MD, FACMT
Co-Director, Medical Simulation Center

Dr. Kirk actively participates in the education of students and residents from multiple specialties by providing bedside teaching, a medical toxicology clinical elective rotation, and regularly presents grand rounds for several specialties.  He completed a training course in evidence based medicine (EBM) at McMasters University and regularly instructs residents in EBM skills.  He frequently participates in community EMS education and lectures regionally and nationally. He completed his Medical Toxicology Fellowship at Rocky Mountain Poison Center and is board certified by both ABMT and ABEM.  He is a fellow of the American College of Medical Toxicology.

Joe Forrester, B.S. University of Virginia School of Medicine

Mr. Forrester is a UVa School of Medicine student with anticipated graduation date of 2011.  He has been actively involved with the Wilderness Medicine Course since its inception. Mr. Forrester has an extension mountain climbing history.  He has also embarked on a 4,000 mile solo kayak descent of the longest river system in North America (Missouri and Mississippi) to raise money for Parkinson Disease Research (Paddling for Parkinson's - http://paddlingforparkinsons.blogspot.com/).

Jim Miller, RN, CFRN, NREMT-P, CCEMT-P

Mr. Miller (Photo: on right) is Captain of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS) Water Rescue Team.  He has extensive knowledge in water safety and water rescue.  He is also a flight nurse for AirCare 5.  Mr. Miller teaches each year for the Wilderness Medicine Rotation with practical water rescue training on the Rivanna River. 

Buck DeForge, NREMT-P

Mr. DeForge is a flight paramedic for the University of Virginia’s Pegasus program.  He also has an extensive knowledge on orienteering and teaches each year for the UVa Wilderness Medicine Rotation with field training for the participants. 

John Gilday, RN, NREMT-P

Mr. Gilday (Photo: on right) is a flight nurse for the University of Virginia’s Pegasus program.  He also has an extensive knowledge on orienteering and teaches each year for the UVa Wilderness Medicine Rotation with field training for the participants. 

Dr. Seth Althoff, MD, Attending Physician Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, CT

Seth Althoff currently works as an attending physician in Emergency Medicine at Bridgeport Hospital in Connecticut. He completed his Emergency Medicine residency and Medical Education fellowship at the University of Virginia. His medical degree is from Temple University in Philadelphia.  Research interests include the use of simulation in the education of medical students and residents, as well as the thrombocytopenic effects of timber rattlesnake venom. Seth is an active member of the wilderness medical society. His outdoor interests include rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and kayaking.