How Adam Hawkins Bridges Two Worlds

For Adam Hawkins, the path to medicine wasn’t about choosing one career, but about enhancing every part of his life—from the lab to the side of a mountain. Currently a graduate student studying glacier and climate change in British Columbia, Adam sees his medical skills not as a separate job, but as an essential tool for his work in science and his commitment to community.

His journey began after undergrad with a Remote EMT (REMT) course. To build a strong foundation, he took a position with AMR in Seattle. "While the medicine was decidedly urban," Adam says, "it gave me the opportunity to take what I had learned and build real-world experience caring for many different types of patients."

This practical start prepared him for the complex world of remote care, but it was the community he found in wilderness medicine that truly resonated.

"I have always been impressed by the diversity of people that take RMT courses," he shares. "I have had the privilege of training with former and active military personnel, climbing guides, dive medics, firefighters, search and rescue volunteers, and ski bums."

That connection to community runs deep. Since high school, Adam has been heavily involved with Search and Rescue (SAR), first in King County and now with his local group in central B.C. His experience as a volunteer is marked by a profound sense of respect for his teammates.

"The skill and dedication of the volunteers I work alongside humbles me," he says, "and pushes me to contribute to our team’s capacity for giving help to those in need."

Looking ahead, Adam has a clear vision for how his skills will intersect. His future lies in academia or as a research scientist, but his medical training will remain integral.

"I will continue to use my medical background to improve the safety of my field teams during research in remote environments," he explains. "I plan on continuing to volunteer with Search and Rescue and will use my training to provide excellent medical care on rescues and help facilitate internal training on our team."

By weaving together his passion for science, his dedication to SAR, and his expertise in remote medicine, Adam represents a modern kind of practitioner: one who uses their skills to not only advance knowledge but to protect and serve the people right beside them.