This is a live CME activity built around an immersive, expedition-based learning experience on the highest peak in Africa. Through evidence-based lectures, case-based discussion, field teaching, and daily reflective debriefings, participants gain real exposure to the practice of medicine in resource-limited, high-altitude environments.
Beginning in Fall 2026, registrants complete a series of live virtual sessions to prepare. In January 2027, the group travels to Tanzania for a seven-day guided trek along the scenic Machame route, with teaching woven into each day on the mountain. The curriculum is designed for clinicians interested in wilderness, travel, or expedition medicine and outdoor leadership — no prior wilderness medicine or mountaineering experience is required.
Who should attend: Physicians are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, and anyone interested in the topic is welcome — nurses, advanced practice providers, EMTs, paramedics, health professions students, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Teaching happens the same way it would on any expedition: in the dinner tent after a day on the trail, at camp during a daily altitude review, and in the field as conditions demand. Lectures are evidence-based and paired with case discussion and hands-on skills.
Pre-expedition virtual sessions are presented live via Zoom with discussion and Q&A. All sessions are recorded and made available to registered participants who cannot attend live.
The preliminary program is below. Pre-expedition sessions are delivered live via Zoom in Fall 2026; experiential sessions are taught on the mountain. A final timed daily agenda will be posted once confirmed.
| Educational Session | Faculty |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Wilderness Medicine | Lara Phillips, MD |
| Altitude Physiology and Illness | Lara Phillips, MD |
| Pole Pole Physiology: Training Smart for Kilimanjaro | Kevin Scott, MD |
| Gear and Clothing | Steve Jones, DO & Austin Jones, DO |
| Musculoskeletal & Soft-Tissue Injuries and Prevention | Margaret Vido, DO |
| Foot Care | Michaela Mickler, MD |
| Ultrasound in the Wilderness | Michaela Mickler, MD |
| Expedition Preparation and Mentality | Lara Phillips, MD |
| Educational Session | Faculty |
|---|---|
| Medical Kits | Lara Phillips, MD |
| Daily Altitude Review | Lara Phillips, MD |
| Gastrointestinal Illness | Lara Phillips, MD |
| Eye Pathology | Lara Phillips, MD |
| Wilderness Dermatology | Lara Phillips, MD |
| In-Flight Medical Emergencies | Lara Phillips, MD |
| Hypothermia and Cold Injuries | Lara Phillips, MD |
| Wilderness Trauma Patient Assessment | Lara Phillips, MD |
Accreditation statement. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Healthcare Alliance for Medical Education (HAME) and Tenacious Medical Education. HAME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit designation statement. The Healthcare Alliance for Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
How to claim credit. At the conclusion of the expedition, participants complete a post-test and activity evaluation to claim credit. These must be completed within 30 days of the end of the expedition — no later than March 5, 2027. Credit cannot be issued after this date.
Emergency medicine physician, Clinical Professor, and Director of Wilderness Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University. Completed a Wilderness Medicine Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and worked at Himalayan Rescue Association aid posts in Nepal. Course director for Jefferson’s Wilderness & Environmental Medicine elective in Breckenridge, Colorado.
Emergency medicine physician and Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine. Academic Chair of Emergency Medicine at Geisinger College of Health Sciences and EM Residency Program Director at Geisinger Wyoming Valley. Interests include high-altitude physiology, wilderness medicine, and physician leadership.
Emergency medicine physician at Jefferson Einstein Montgomery Medical Center, active in resident education, simulation, and procedural workshops. Has summited Mount Shasta and Mount Rainier. Interests include musculoskeletal ultrasound and experiential medical education.
Orthopedic sports medicine physician focused on injury prevention and safe return to activity, and team physician for Cedar Crest College. An accomplished marathon runner who brings expertise in keeping outdoor athletes healthy on and off the mountain.
Emergency medicine physician and Adjunct Professor at Michigan State University with deep roots in the outdoor industry. Previously lived in Tanzania and climbed Kilimanjaro; teaches on equipment, risk management, and expedition preparation.
Emergency medicine resident and Wilderness EMT (NOLS) with unguided ascents of Pico de Orizaba, Rainier, Shasta, and Hood. Interests include expedition medicine and helping others build the skills and confidence to explore safely.
Faculty headshots to be added.
The nine-day course runs January 26 – February 3, 2027, with the seven-day trekking portion guided by Explore Trekking Adventures (ETA), a Tanzania-based company that is locally owned and operated by former porters who have risen to guides and owners and who ethically support the local economy.
The Machame route is known for its diverse scenery — rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert. While Kilimanjaro is generally a manageable trek, summit day is significantly more demanding than the rest of the journey.
Summit is optional. Participants who choose not to attempt the summit may remain at Barafu Camp (“Base Camp”). Because the summit is an out-and-back from Barafu, the group returns through camp on the way to Mweka, so you can opt out of the summit while still experiencing the majority of the expedition.
Each participant must be able to:
Base (Moshi): roughly 70–80°F (21–27°C).
Summit (above 5,000 m): 0°C to −20°C (32°F to −4°F), dropping to −20°C to −10°C (−4°F to 14°F) at night.
January is the dry season, but hikers may still encounter rain at lower elevations and snow up high.
Helicopter evacuation is available at designated areas at every campsite along the Machame route, coordinated by guides through Kilimanjaro Search and Rescue. Each campsite has a wheeled stretcher available.
Space is strictly limited to 15 participants. A $500 non-refundable deposit confirms your registration; the balance is invoiced separately at the early-bird or regular rate based on your registration date.
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing by email to Tenacious Medical Education; the effective date is the date written notice is received.
Because permits, lodging, transportation, staffing, and payments to local partners are committed well in advance, participants are strongly encouraged to purchase travel insurance with trip cancellation and interruption coverage. Tenacious Medical Education reserves the right to modify, postpone, or cancel the expedition for safety, weather, or other circumstances beyond its control.
Tenacious Medical Education creates unforgettable educational experiences that celebrate the grit of healthcare professionals, inspiring them to learn, explore, and grow — both personally and professionally. We believe the best learning happens when evidence-based medicine, meaningful challenge, and a spirit of adventure come together.
Reach out about registration or logistics and we’ll help you decide if this expedition is the right fit.
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