The Faculty
Multidisciplinary professionals with a shared passion for wilderness medicine.
MEET THE TEAM
Faculty
Our faculty are entirely voluntary and are all former students of our courses. They bring extensive experience from extreme, remote, and austere environments worldwide. Drawn from diverse professional and operational backgrounds—including mountain guides, paramedics, doctors, expedition leaders, outdoor instructors, armed forces personnel, cavers, paddlers, skiers, humanitarian workers, and event medics—they combine real-world expertise with a shared passion for the outdoors and advancing wilderness and pre-hospital medical care.
The faculty has a unique focus on delivering experiential, hands-on education that encourages critical thinking and the application of principles rather than rigid protocols. Emphasis is placed on translating evidence-based research into practical tools suited to remote and challenging environments, while keeping training accessible to multidisciplinary caregivers. The faculty is also committed to building and sustaining a global community of skilled practitioners who support the wider mission.
Our Faculty
Meet the experienced practitioners behind WEMSI-International (UK).
John Aitchison KFSM
Watch Commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and National USAR instructor at Portlethen Training Centre
John Aitchison
John Aitchison KFSM is a Watch Commander with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and a national USAR instructor at Portlethen Training Centre. An experienced UKISAR sector medic and crew leader, he delivers pre-hospital trauma care and leadership in austere environments, deploying to disasters including the 2015 Nepal and 2023 Turkey earthquakes. He also supports international development through FIRE AID and co-founded Everest Fire and Rescue. Awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal in 2025, his work focuses on trauma education and sustainable emergency response.
Derek Bain WMCI
Senior Instructor at Glenmore Lodge and Member of the Glenmore Lodge Mountain Rescue Team
Derek Bain
Derek is a WMCI and senior instructor at Glenmore Lodge for 11 years, he is also a member of the Glenmore Lodge Mountain Rescue Team. He works as a W-EMT and casualty carer, and is an extreme alpinist with 36 years of mountaineering experience. Alongside his outdoor career, he holds a PhD in Gene Therapy, reflecting a strong academic background.
Dr Alastair Baird
Consultant in Emergency and Retrieval Medicine with enthusiasm for Helicopter Operations
Dr Alastair Baird
Ali works as a consultant in emergency and retrieval medicine and has a particular enthusiasm for helicopter operations. He also has a decade of experience with the Tayside Mountain Rescue Team. He provides topside medical support in challenging environments and contributes to event medicine, combining pre-hospital expertise with practical rescue experience across a range of demanding settings.
Tara Brook
Freelance Outdoor Instructor and Expedition Leader, began studying medicine in 2023.
Tara Brook
Tara has been involved with WEMSI for over 7 years, including 4 years as faculty. After a decade working as a freelance outdoor instructor and expedition leader, she began studying medicine in 2023 while continuing to provide medical and safety cover at ultra-endurance events across the country. Outside of work and study, she spends her time running, climbing, and skydiving — because it’s hard to feel stressed when falling out of a plane.
Amanda Burnham
Former Outdoor Education Teacher with 30 years’ experience and Outdoor Adventure Guide
Amanda Burnham
Amanda is a former outdoor education teacher with 30 years’ experience, she now guides adventure trips into Cwmorthin Slate Mine in Snowdonia, often leading groups to sleep deep underground. When not in the mines, she is usually found swimming in a lake, reflecting her enduring passion for the outdoors. She is WEMSI’s moulage hero, bringing creativity to training scenarios.
Mark Chadwick
Works as an IFMGA Mountain Guide and Film Safety Advisor. Active member of Cairngorm MRT.
Mark Chadwick
Mark is based in the Highland village of Carrbridge, working as an IFMGA Mountain Guide and Film Safety Advisor. He is an active member of Cairngorm MRT and one of their Remote Rescue Medical Technicians. He also has a SARDA Scotland search dog called Mac Dog. Previously, Mark spent 17 years as a Senior Instructor at Glenmore Lodge and, earlier in his career, worked as a ski patroller in Scotland.
Jack Grandey
Co-Founder of WEMSI and the Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group, and former Flight Paramedic
Jack Grandey
Jack Grandey is a co-founder of WEMSI and the Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group. A former flight paramedic and Critical Care Transport Program Director, He served on FEMA’s Disaster Medical Assistance and National Medical Response Teams. He was a Supervisory Instructor for the Eastern Region of the National Cave Rescue Commission as well as faculty at several EMS Education Centers. Currently a member of the Field Leadership Team, he is the Paramedic Co-Lead for International at Team Rubicon and the Team Leader for Charlotte N.C.’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Dr Alison Gallagher
GP with a special interest in Emergency Medicine, experience in Mountain Rescue and Scottish Cave Rescue Medical Lead
Dr Alison Gallagher
Alison is a GP based in Dundee with a special interest in emergency medicine at Ninewells ED, she has 14 years’ experience in mountain rescue and serves as the Scottish Cave Rescue medical lead. She provides event medical cover for road and track cycling and trail racing, and is Operations Director for WEMSI International (UK), bringing broad operational and clinical expertise.
Peter Harvey
Works around the globe on Exploration Projects, Expeditions, Military Deployments, and Adventure Travel Events
Peter Harvey
Peter is passionate about the outdoors and is dedicated to introducing people to the wilderness through shared experience and adventure. He works extensively around the globe on exploration projects, expeditions, military deployments, and adventure travel events. Although at home in the mountains, his recent trips have taken him onto the water, particularly through kayaking and sailing.
Dr Charlotte Hattersley
GP locum across the Scottish Highlands and Islands, a Mountain Rescue Doctor and BASICS Provider
Dr Charlotte Hattersley
Charlotte works as a GP locum across the Scottish Highlands and Islands, she is also a mountain rescue doctor and BASICS provider. With 15 years’ experience in endurance event medicine, from fell races to multi-day adventures, she brings extensive field expertise. She teaches remote rescue medical technicians and is a clinical tutor at Lancaster Medical School, with a special interest in Type 1 diabetes in endurance sport. Off duty, she enjoys running, riding, paddling, and getting repeatedly wet outdoors with her partner Sandra and their enthusiastic collie.
Tim Houldey
SAR Winch Paramedic and Experienced Rescue Consultant, providing Medical and Environmental Support
Tim Houldey
Tim is a SAR Winch Paramedic and experienced rescue consultant, providing medical and environmental support across a wide range of settings. Skills developed through an operational military career and strengthened through NHS and independent practice in the UK and overseas, including humanitarian and expedition work. He is also an active mountain rescue team member.
Stu Johnston
WEMT and WMCI, volunteers for Scottish Mountain Rescue, Teaches Remote Rope Access, Rescue and Water Safety
Stu Johnston
Stu has been a WEMT and WMCI since 1993 and joined the WEMSI team in 2000. He volunteered with Scottish Mountain Rescue for many years, including serving as a team leader, and is co-author of the Mountain Skills Training Handbook and Hillwalkers Guide to Mountaineering. He regularly teaches remote rope access, rescue, and water safety for teams operating in austere environments worldwide, while also providing medical and rescue cover for adventure race events. Stu is currently Director of Operations at Climbwired International Ltd
Dr Matt Ladbrook
GP experienced in Field Care in Remote Environments and Medical Advisor with REACT Disaster Response
Dr Matt Ladbrook
Matt is a practicing GP with over 20 years of experience providing field care in remote environments. He brings extensive frontline expertise to austere settings and is a medical advisor with REACT Disaster Response. He is also a Fellow of the Academy of Wilderness Medicine and holds the FFRRHHEd qualification.
Dave Lucas
Expedition Guide and Safety Consultant with International Field Experience across over 110 countries
Dave Lucas
Dave is an expedition guide and safety consultant with more than 28 years of international field experience across over 110 countries. With more than 100 months spent on expedition, his work includes guiding teams through jungles, mountains, deserts, and rivers, as well as supporting TV and film productions, leading complex projects, and assisting high-profile individuals. He has travelled extensively throughout Asia, Africa, and South America, bringing broad operational and logistical expertise to remote environments.
Ben McNutt
Leading Wilderness Instructor with 25 years of experience in Bushcraft, Survival and Remote Expeditions
Ben McNutt
Ben is a leading wilderness instructor with 25 years of experience in bushcraft, survival and remote expeditions. He has guided journeys through jungles, deserts, tropical islands and arctic regions, developing deep expertise in practical outdoor living, risk management and remote-area safety. His teaching integrates field-tested skills with improvisation and wilderness medicine principles, emphasising first‑principles thinking as the foundation for making sound decisions and staying safe in wild places.
Deborah Nickolls
Wilderness Skills and Bushcraft Instructor, Mountain Leader and experience Teaching in Remote Environments worldwide
Deborah Nickolls
Debs is a wilderness skills and bushcraft instructor, mountain leader, and keen rock climber with 15 years of experience leading expeditions and teaching in remote environments worldwide. She has spent extended periods living outdoors, including months at a time under canvas. Her field experience spans Arctic regions, jungles, deserts, and mountains across six continents. She also teaches plant medicine at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and serves as a director of WEMSI-International (UK).
Dr Caroline O'Keeffe
GP and the CEO of an Urgent Care organisation with experience in Humanitarian and Pre-Hospital Care
Dr Caroline O'Keeffe
Caroline is a GP and the CEO of an urgent care organization with over 25 years’ experience in humanitarian and pre-hospital care. She holds a Diploma in Tropical Medicine and has worked extensively in Africa, including Sudan with Médecins Sans Frontières. She has led expeditions globally, including the Himalaya, and competed in a ski race to the Magnetic North Pole. She lives in Nairobi with her family.
Julie Porteous
Physiotherapist since 2016 running Highland Physiotherapy with broad experience across Sport and Event Medicine
Julie Porteous
Julie has been a physiotherapist since 2016. She runs Highland Physiotherapy from Aviemore and has broad experience across sport and event medicine. She works on ski patrol at the Lecht and supports Newtonmore Shinty as team physio. Her roles include national and international paracycling classifier, Invictus Games classifier, and physiotherapist for the New Zealand para alpine ski team, alongside six years in event medicine.
Dr James Purcell
Senior Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Trainee with interest in Simulation-Based Training and Teaching
Dr James Purcell
James holds a BSc in Biotechnology, a PhD, and a Diploma in Leadership and Management. He is a senior anaesthesiology and intensive care trainee in Ireland with particular interests in simulation-based training, teaching, paediatrics, and pre-hospital care. Outside medicine, he enjoys multi-day hiking, climbing, triathlon, mountain biking, water sports, and spending time outdoors with dogs. He hopes to further specialise in remote critical care and paediatrics while pursuing future expeditions and international adventures.
Bill Strachan
Highly Skilled Mountaineer, Member of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team and Senior Instructor at Glenmore Lodge
Bill Strachan
Bill is a highly skilled mountaineer and a member of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team. He works as a senior instructor at Glenmore Lodge. He also has experience working as a trainer for confined space rescue in mines and power stations in Australia. He has a passion for Scottish winters and enjoys warm rock climbing when conditions allow.
Dr Dave Strachan
British Army Vascular and Military General Surgical Registrar and Mountain Rescue, Event, and Expedition Doctor
Dr Dave Strachan
Dave is a British Army vascular and military general surgical registrar. He also works as a mountain rescue, event, and expedition doctor. He is a BASICS Scotland doctor, PHECC course director, and responder support clinician. With operational, event, and expedition experience in over 40 countries, he brings extensive expertise to demanding and remote environments.
Lizzy Stileman MBE
Military Leader, Humanitarian Responder and Outdoor Professional, serving in the Army Reserve since 2015
Lizzy Stileman MBE
Lizzy is an inspiring military leader, humanitarian responder and outdoor professional. After 20 years in the Regular Army, she continues to serve in the Army Reserve since 2015. A qualified Mountain Leader and Ski Instructor, she has led expeditions and responded to disasters around the world. She holds an MSc in Disaster Management and has deployed internationally more than ten times to major disasters. Lizzy also previously served on the Board of Trustees for REACT Disaster Response.
Paul Taylor MBE
Served in the British Army as an Instructor at the Infantry Battle School and as a Military Adviser in Sierra Leone
Paul Taylor
Paul served 26 years in the British Army after joining in 1985, deploying worldwide and serving as an instructor at the Infantry Battle School in Brecon and as a military adviser in Sierra Leone. After leaving the Army, he became an expedition leader and humanitarian responder, including work in Nepal after the 2015 earthquake. He is now International Operations Manager for REACT Disaster Response, holds a Master’s in International Disaster Management, is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and was awarded an MBE in 2020.
Jonny Will
Specialist Paramedic and Clinical Lead for Urgent & Unscheduled Care. Experienced Mountain Rescue Medic
Jonny Will
Jonny is a Specialist Paramedic and Clinical Lead for Urgent & Unscheduled Care at NHS Tayside, with experience spanning the London Ambulance Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, and national clinical advisory roles. He has advised both the Scottish Government and Everest Fire & Rescue. Alongside his NHS leadership work, he is an experienced mountain rescue medic, Medical Officer for Tayside Mountain Rescue, and Course Director for the national Mountain Rescue Remote Rescue Medical Technician programme, while also supporting endurance events and expeditions as a medic.