Community Relief Medic

In 2002 Landmark Learning and CORE Expeditions created the Ecuadorian Amazon and Andes Relief Medic Program, initially named Mission Medic. We had traveled extensively whitewater kayaking, teaching wilderness medicine and river rescue skills to local guides. We wanted to do more for the indigenous communities of Ecuador, connecting our wilderness medicine students to medical brigades supported by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health. From 2005-2010, two week clinical trips were made into the Andes to the Cotopaxi and Chimborozo districts as well as communities downstream of Tena along the Rio Napo in the Amazon headwaters. Each of these trips carried medicines, students, doctors, lab techs, interpreters, and veterinarians to provide medical screening, documentation and treatment to over 300 persons. Most of the care was focused on caring for people that were sick with gastrointestinal illness, skin illnesses, gynecologic and obstetrical problems, as well as some supportive care for elderly. In addition, on days between clinics our students were able to provide basic first aid and assessment training for community health advocates serving these communities. “An experience of a lifetime,” said a 20-year career Paramedic who attended.

The Ecuadorian Relief Medic expeditions continue through Mingai of Ecuador. To learn more about the the Ecuadorian Relief Medic program visit www.mingai.org

In 2010 Landmark Learning began moving our energy from overseas back to US soil. We interviewed medical brigades leaving for Haiti, as well as mission and building teams visiting parts of Boliva and Guatemala. We discovered that many of these teams were traveling with good intentions but a lack of training to care for themselves or assist medical professionals in medical triage and patient assessment. We also started looking closely at the preparedness of US communities, families, and the county volunteers that provide service during times of disaster. The Federal government currently believes that the greatest threat to the US is a major disaster. In review of current disaster preparedness training programs available in the US for public safety volunteers and lay persons, Landmark Learning created the Community Relief Medic training program.