Dr. Carolyn Kelly-Smith
Emergency Physician, Wilderness Medicine, Search & Rescue Team Lead | BC
Carolyn is an emergency physician and trauma team physician at Royal Columbian Hospital. Carolyn grew up in Squamish BC and developed an early interest in spending time in the mountains climbing, biking, skiing and running. During her 5 year specialty training in emergency medicine she pursued subspecialty training in wilderness and mountain medicine. She holds the IKAR Diploma in Mountain Medicine. She has pursued this passion since, developing expertise in many areas of the field.
Her current and past wilderness medicine work includes:
- North Shore Search and Rescue advanced medical provider member and past medical director
- Whistler Blackcomb ski patrol physician for 10 years
- Mike Weigele Ski physician
- Founding member Canadian Society of Mountain Medicine
- Helped Develop the Canadian Diploma in Mountain Medicine, Often taking the role of course director
- Volunteer physician for the Himalaya Rescue Association aid post in Manang, Nepal
- Volunteer Physician for KiliSAR providing rescue services and medical care for patients on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Medical coverage for numerous endurance events including Ironman Canada and the Squamish 50mile race.
As much as she loves being there herself to provide care in the mountains, Carolyn believes in helping train other medical providers to adapt their skills to work in a challenging wilderness environment.
