SPEAKERS
We are finalizing our speakers, come back soon!
We are finalizing our speakers, come back soon!
Hillary Irons, MD, PHd
Hillary Irons, MD, PhD, FACEP, is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Massachusetts. She completed a Wilderness Medicine Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital, during which she worked with the Himalayan Rescue Association in the Everest Region of Nepal, served as a trip physician to the Siberian Arctic, and conducted multiple research projects on altitude illness.
Hillary has taught wilderness medicine for many years, delivering lectures, hands-on courses, including AWLS, and leading simulation-based instruction. She is also the Expansion Race Coordinator for MedWAR (Medical Wilderness Adventure Races), which has been teaching and testing wilderness medicine through scenario-based adventure races since 2003. She has held national leadership roles in the wilderness medicine interest groups of SAEM and ACEP.
Her current research focuses on cognitive deficits in hypoxic brain states, particularly acute mountain illness and traumatic brain injury.
anna cichon, ms3
Co-DirectoR
I am a third-year medical student at UMass Chan Medical School with a strong interest in emergency medicine and critical care. Last year, I attended the Mid-Atlantic Wilderness Conference, which was an incredible experience! Now, Avery and I are thrilled to launch a similar conference for the New England region, bringing together like-minded individuals who share a passion for practicing medicine beyond the hospital setting.
One of my key medical interests is disaster preparedness, especially learning how to handle medical situations in austere environments with limited resources. When I’m not deep in my studies, I’m an avid skier (Ice Coast!) and hiker, always seeking my next adventure. I can’t wait to meet everyone at the conference! Feel free to reach out with any questions!
AVERY PULLMAN, MS3
Co-DirectoR
I’m a third-year medical student and, alongside Anna, co-director of the New England Wilderness Medicine Conference. From the start of medical school, I was drawn to Emergency and Wilderness Medicine. Early in my first year, I joined a team at UMass to help launch the first Wilderness Medicine Adventure Race (MedWAR) in Massachusetts, with special thanks to fellow speakers Karishma and Sarah.
After that event, I was hooked and began brainstorming more ways to unite people who share a passion for both medicine and the outdoors. Attending a Wilderness Medicine conference hosted by Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia further inspired Anna and me to bring that same energy to the Northeast. We’re excited about this event and can’t wait to connect with others who are passionate about this unique field!