Dr. Scott McIntosh: Wilderness Medicine Physician and Mountain Rescue Leader
Few physicians have shaped the field of mountain medicine quite like Dr. Scott McIntosh. He is a wilderness and emergency medicine physician, educator, researcher, and mountain rescue expert. Dr. McIntosh has spent his career advancing the care of patients in remote, high-altitude, and austere environments.
As a tenured faculty member in the Division of Emergency Medicine at the University of Utah, he has trained countless physicians and healthcare professionals. He has also helped advance the science of caring for patients in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
Leadership in Mountain Rescue and High-Altitude Medicine
Long before medical school, Dr. McIntosh was guiding rock and ice climbs and mountaineering expeditions around the globe. After earning degrees in Biology and English Literature from Duke University, he received his medical degree from the University of Vermont. And then, he completed a Master of Public Health at the University of Utah. His love of the outdoors and commitment to medicine naturally led him to become one of the foremost experts in mountain and wilderness medicine.
Today, Dr. McIntosh serves as Medical Director of Summit County EMS and Associate Medical Director of AirMed, the University of Utah’s medical flight program. He is also Director of the University of Utah Wilderness Medicine Fellowship, where he mentors the next generation of wilderness medicine leaders.
Research, Guidelines, and Teaching
Throughout his career, Dr. McIntosh has authored more than 30 scientific papers and book chapters and has served as Editor-in-Chief of Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, the premier journal in the specialty. He has also held leadership positions with the Wilderness Medical Society and has helped develop international guidelines on hypothermia, frostbite, avalanche medicine, lightning injuries, pain management, and high-altitude illness.
Field Experience in the Mountains
His expertise extends far beyond the classroom. Dr. McIntosh has served three seasons as the rescue physician on Denali and has participated in expeditions around the world, including Mount Everest, Aconcagua, Carstensz Pyramid, Mount Huntington, El Capitan, and the Peruvian Andes. His work has been featured in documentaries, television programs, and national media, helping bring awareness to mountain rescue and wilderness medicine.
Whether speaking about hypothermia, frostbite, avalanche rescue, mountain trauma, or high-altitude medicine, Dr. McIntosh brings decades of real-world experience and a deep passion for teaching. His ability to blend science, storytelling, and practical application has made him one of the most sought-after educators in the field.
Why MedTreks Values Wilderness Medicine Leaders
At MedTreks, we are honored to learn from leaders like Dr. McIntosh. Individuals whose careers remind us that medicine extends far beyond hospital walls. Through adventure, exploration, and a commitment to lifelong learning, physicians like Dr. McIntosh continue to inspire healthcare professionals. To do what? Well, to expand their skills and deepen their connection to the outdoors. Click here to meet the rest of our team.
Research interests and areas of focus:
- Epidemiology of mountain accidents and fatalities
- High altitude medicine and prevention of acute mountain illness
- Hypothermia in avalanche victims
- Avalanche safety, trauma, and medical care
- Mountain search and rescue
- Skiing and snowboarding injuries
- Helicopter emergency medical services
Selected Mountaineering Accomplishments
- SuperSherpas Mt. Everest Expedition, Nepal
- Denali, Alaska
- Mt. Huntington, Alaska
- Aconcagua, Argentina
- Carstensz Pyramid, West Papua
- El Capitan, Yosemite
- Alpamayo & Chopiqualqui, Peru
Television and video appearances:
- “Extreme Rescue” – documentary of high altitude rescue physician on Denali
- “SuperSherpas Everest Expedition” Video – research physician on Mt. Everest for documentary extolling the physical aptitude of the Sherpas
- “Ang Rita Sherpa and High Altitude” – Medical and High Altitude Expert for Stan Lee’s Superhumans Series on The History Channel
- “Diploma in Mountain Medicine and Avalanche Rescue,” Inside Edition
- Multiple news interviews on topics of: frostbite, hypothermia, mountain injuries, drowning, etc.
FAQ
Who is Dr. Scott McIntosh?
Dr. Scott McIntosh is a wilderness and emergency medicine physician known for his work in mountain medicine, high-altitude illness, avalanche medicine, hypothermia, frostbite, and mountain rescue.
What is mountain medicine?
Mountain medicine focuses on the prevention, assessment, and treatment of medical problems in mountain and high-altitude environments, including altitude illness, cold injuries, trauma, avalanche rescue, and evacuation.
Why is wilderness medicine important for healthcare professionals?
Wilderness medicine helps healthcare professionals adapt their clinical skills to remote environments where resources, weather, terrain, and evacuation timing can affect patient care.
What topics does Dr. Scott McIntosh teach?
His areas of focus include high-altitude medicine, hypothermia, frostbite, avalanche medicine, mountain trauma, search and rescue, and emergency care in remote environments.
