NAME: BEN MATTINGLY, M.D., EMERGENCY MEDICINE 

UNDERGRADUATE: MOREHEAD STATE
UNIVERSITY, MOREHEAD, KENTUCKY
MED SCHOOL: UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

RESIDENCY: BAYSTATE MEDICAL CENTER, SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

Ben Mattingly, M.D., was an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School at Bayside Medical Center. He later worked at a small emergency room in New Zealand. Upon his return to Baystate, he decided to start and run a wilderness medicine fellowship. Wild Med Adventures began as a way to offer his fellows wilderness opportunities. The company, which is run by Mattingly and his wife, Jennifer, who is a physician assistant, offers CME training all over the world for physicians and other health care professionals.

What do you like most about leading in wilderness medicine?

The thing I like the most are the friendships and the comradery built on the trips. We get to go to really cool places and we all have personal perspectives on topics, which is a real benefit.

What’s the most challenging part?

Obviously with any business, there is a lot of paperwork, which takes a lot of time and commitment. I love all the trips and the education. However, we have to spend a lot of time on social media and organization, which isn’t all that enjoyable.

What surprised you in this role?

The comradery of our groups has been surprising and very rewarding. Most of the trips have gone really smooth. You know when you are going into these types of environments that things are going to happen. However, nothing has really happened that we can’t fix.

What’s your advice to other physicians?

I think for physicians looking for side gigs, hobbies, etc.: Find something you are passionate about. In starting an education company, there’s a lot of hurdles. If there’ssomething a physician would really enjoy doing, there are ways to figure it out. I think like with anything, if you’d enjoy it, just take the leap. Even if you don’t make a lot of money, you might find wellness and happiness from it. That’s what we need in our field.

How can physicians get started in wilderness adventure or CME development?

Go on a trip. It’s easy to sign up. If you want to start a business, anyone can do it. You have to decide where you want to go and what curriculums you need. Do you have instructors? What’s your safety plan, and what’s your insurance? It’s a lot like a travel business with a twist. You’re just adding medical education to it. Find some mentors and teach a few courses. Maybe you’re interested in being an instructor. There are several different avenues. The Wilderness Medicine Society is one, Wild Med Adventures is another, and there are other companies popping up.

Anything else you’d like to ad?

I think you have to find a few things you really enjoy within the medical community. For example, if you love to ski, get involved in learning about ski medicine or become the director at your local ski patrol. Bottom line: Find your passion and pursue it.