Paul Auerbach

Emergency and wilderness medicine expert. Born Jan 4, 1951, in Plainfield, NJ, USA, he died of brain cancer on June 23, 2021, Los Altos, CA, aged 70 years. As an early pioneer medicine, Paul Auerbach regularly encountered gaps the field, including insufficient academic resources or collaborating organisations. Yet “he was kind man who wasn’t just going to identify gaps”, said Andra Blomkalns, Redlich Family Professor Chair Department Medicine at Stanford University, where spent much his career. “He fill them.” helped found Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) foster education research edited Auerbach's Medicine. “If there a vision had something that didn’t exist, strength almost will it into existence”, Grant Lipman, Clinical Stanford's School Director Section Fellowship. Colleagues always eager collaborate realising these initiatives. like searchlight with this beam intensity would focus people pass them opportunities”, Lipman said. take so joy accomplishments others.” completed undergraduate studies religion Duke Durham, NC, remained for medical school. After graduating 1977, pursued residency emergency what then University California Angeles Center Health Sciences. completing 1980, took series appointments jobs private sector. That included position as Chief Division from 1991 1995. In 2005, returned division, which ultimately became its own department 2015, retired 2019 Emeritus. Although positions centred combined those efforts develop medicine. 1983, co-founded WMS served President 1987 1989. “His pole star we moved toward”, Jennifer Dow, specialist based Anchorage, AK, Secretary. “to promote austere environments, protect are enjoying give care tools perform their jobs”, she explained. also plunged disaster 2010, agreeing assist relief effort Haiti after January earthquake. “When things happened, natural disasters, earthquakes, person trying help organise rescue operations apply all lessons medicine”, Robert Schoene, attending physician pulmonary critical St Mary's San Francisco, past President. Dow time despite provided, “overwhelmed because couldn’t do more.” Rather than dwelling feelings, said, “channelled into, ‘How can I other when happens again?’” led him create Program Response, prepares physicians nurses rapidly deploy emergencies. joined 2015 earthquake Nepal. Luanne Freer, founder Everest ER, seasonal clinic base camp Nepal, president, travelled mission instrumental “galvanising group talented individuals getting us out meaningful work”. already been active Nepal before earthquake, assisting local establish ambulance service country. Rajesh Gongal, Founding Ambulance Service launched 2011, organisers were linked experts efforts, Auerbach, fundraise new service. “I don’t think be if hadn’t him”, surgeon Vice-Chancellor Patan Academy Sciences Lalitpur, “What thought important make sure you embrace fun, bravery, compassion your career life”, Freer look back life, did that.” leaves wife, Sherry, daughter, Lauren, sons, Brian Daniel, mother, brother, sister.