Mitten Medical Education

04/17/2026

Keeping first responsponders and other rescuers in our thoughts. The best medicine is prevention: so hoping people stay clear of dangerous deep, and fast moving waters in Michigan and throughout the region with this above average flooding conditions.

The Grand River near Comstock Park in Kent County remains a primary concern. As of 10:39 a.m. Friday, the river stage was 13.3 feet above the flood stage of 12.0 feet. It’s forecast to crest at 16.1 feet by Monday morning, reaching major flood stage, similar to the April 8, 2023, flood event. Flooded basements along Willow Drive, Abrigador Trail, and Riverbank Street, road closures, including Konkle Drive, and potential major flooding for about 100 homes are possible.

Further downstream, the Grand River at Grand Rapids is also expected to reach flood stage. As of 10:00 a.m. Friday, the river stage was 15.4 feet, with flood stage at 18.0 feet. It’s forecast to crest at 19.0 feet early Monday afternoon, causing minor basement flooding in low-lying areas in Grand Rapids and affecting tributaries like Buck Creek, which could cause localized flooding in flood-prone areas.

Flood warnings have been extended for the Thornapple River near Caledonia. As of 10:45 a.m. Friday, the river was 9.7 feet approaching the flood stage of 10.0 feet. It’s forecast to rise above flood stage this evening and crest at 10.5 feet Sunday morning, causing minor flooding of low-lying areas. The river is expected to fall below flood stage early Tuesday morning, similar to levels observed in December 2008.

Remember, turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roadways, do not attempt to bypass barricades, and stay clear of fast-moving water. Continue to monitor official updates as conditions may change.

Residents can report damage using the following link:
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/6e1d8996f0704b9fab5395eecd63a65e?portalUrl=https://emhsd.maps.arcgis.com

03/07/2026

01/18/2026

Major Program Update!!

We have heard unfortunate news in the past few days that AdventureMed, our partner in providing our Wilderness Life Support for the Medical Provider course, is ceasing operations in February 2026. We are grateful for their partnership over the years and wish everyone with that organization the best in their future endeavors.

Dr Chamberlain and Dr Henderson see this as an opportunity for personal growth, however. We are excited for the opportunity to write our own curriculum and hope to provide an even more evidence-based and comprehensive education to our future students. As we had no warning of this business change however, we are going to cancel our upcoming open WLS class planned for May. We will be working hard though and will put this class on as invitation only to pilot our new curriculum. We just won't have enough time to write, pilot and obtain CME by May unfortunately.

We honestly see this as a blessing for our growth. We hope that you follow along with our progress and hopefully will see you in future classes as we splash forward, as the Henderson boys demonstrate!

11/01/2025

Drs. Chamberlain and Henderson are happy to announce the dates for our annual wilderness medicine campout weekend!

When: May 8-10, 2026 (the class starts the morning of the 9th but you are welcome to come set up camp on the 8th and hang out around the campfire)

What: Wilderness Life Support for the Medical Provider, these CME credits (if you have your permanent license) can be applied to the Wilderness Medicine fellowship (WMS) and are registered through AMA.

Who: All medical providers, if you have a friend or family member that is in medicine they are welcome to come as well (we have had nurses, EMTs, mid-levels and everyone has had an amazing time).

Update! Unfortunately, due to the cessation of operations of AdventureMed we will be suspending this class and will work on developing our own course. Please check back for more information.

07/18/2025

Nacho typical lifesaver. Fire starting can save lives, should we include chips in our medical kits?

06/12/2025

🔗: https://l.mlive.com/3vsffw
Two people were found dead over the weekend at a remote backcountry campground in Isle Royale National Park, authorities announced. Around 4 p.m. Sunday, park rangers received two separate reports of two campers found dead at the park.

Two rangers hiked 11 miles overnight to the campground to assess the situation. They arrived early Monday morning and confirmed two unidentified people were deceased.

The incident is under investigation. The causes of death are unknown at this time.

06/02/2025

Left Grand Rapids Michigan at 6am today to dive out to the Seventy48. We were about 45min out of town when we saw a car on the side of the road with an engine fire. I used my fire extinguisher to try and put it out, but it was too little too late. The fire department had to come and put it out. The occupants were all okay. I stoped by Walmart and replaced my fire extinguisher with a bigger one.

05/17/2025

Did you know it was ? Dr Chamberlain and Dr Henderson both took advantage of the beautiful day for their commutes in for a combined tally of about 40 miles. Always remember your lights and hi-vis clothing in addition to helmets to keep you safe on the road and trails for . Did you enjoy get out on a ride today?

04/23/2025

There is not much better than autumn in Michigan. Picture it: fresh pressed apple cider, warm pumpkin donuts, catching some fish on a crisp day on a crystal clear lake or wrangle a trout on the end of a fly line. Plowing your mountain bike through a blanket of leaves sending them scattering…. Oh and learning wilderness life support from an awesome team of passionate and experienced educators!

04/03/2025

Sign up right away to reserve your spot on the weekend of Sept 27-28, 2025 for the next session of Wilderness Life Support for the Medical Provider in beautiful Grand Rapids, Michigan! Whether you want to pair your continued medical education with some fly fishing, hiking, paddling, biking or camping there is something for almost everyone in West Michigan.
https://adventuremed.com/course/wlsmp-grand-rapids-mi-3/

03/27/2025

Once again, excited and prepared for some wilderness life support with .llc! It’s going to be chilly in North Michigan but we have plenty of hot soup and coffee to go around. See you guys soon!

03/17/2025

Last chance to sign up for first class wilderness medicine training in the heart of the Great Lakes state! Sign up today, because time is running out!