With many of the world’s most respected scientific and medical individuals coming together at the 2018 World Extreme Medicine Conference in Edinburgh this month to share new innovations, expertise and wisdom in medicine conducted in challenging and often harsh, and dangerous environments; we are delighted to have some of the world’s most remarkable women as part of our guest speakers line up.

Covering issues such as disaster and humanitarian situations; adventure and expedition; Space innovation and applications, chemical weapon attacks, mental health, decisions under pressure, children in war zones and increasing uses of remote technology, our guest speakers will inspire and encourage you with their own personal stories and experiences.

The line-up of remarkable women includes:

• Emily Mayhew of Imperial College will be speaking on Day 2 and Day 3 of the conference, launching the first-ever global child blast injury field guidance resource for medical staff. More children than ever before are being caught up in war situations, and for the first time in public, she will reveal how the treatment of children is physically, psychologically and socially so different.
• The Ice Maidens will be talking on Day 1 about the physical and mental challenges of undertaking their Antarctic crossing. Unsupported, with only two resupply points along the route, they covered 1,700km pulling sledges and battling temperatures of -50°C and wind speeds of over 60mph during their three-month journey.
• Laura Penhaul, a paramedic specialising in sports injuries and an expert on spinal cord injuries will be speaking and leading a physio specific workshop on Day 1 of the conference. Laura has worked with the GB and Paralympic ski teams and successfully led the ‘Coxless Crew’ in a record-breaking row across the Pacific Ocean from the United States to Australia.
• Roz Savage – the first and only woman to row solo across the world’s “Big Three” oceans: Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian. Roz will be sharing the story behind her life-changing adventure and talking about resilience in the face of extremes on Day 1 of the conference.
• Natalie Roberts, head of emergency operations at Medecins Sans Frontieres is joining us on Day 2 of the conference and will be exploring the activities of the 10-15 people strong Emergency Team and the differing emergencies faced in 2018, including conflict, epidemics, vaccination campaigns and natural disasters, from Yemen to Bangladesh and Uganda.

Also joining our incredible line up will be Gaynor Prince, talking about Ultrasound in extreme environments; Beth Healey a research doctor with the European Space Agency; filmmaker and journalist Dr Saleyha Ahsan; Dr Emily Farkas, Cardiothoracic Surgeon Yale; Charlotte Edelsten, senior research fellow and sleep expert at Geneva University Hospital; Karen O’Neill, Senior Nurse in NHS and emergency nurse in crisis zones; Josie Gilday, Health Advisor for West/Central Africa for the British Red Cross; Ruby Siddiqui, specialist in tropical diseases and sexual violence.

Mark Hannaford, founder of World Extreme Medicine said:

“It’s terrific to have such an inspirational group of women at the conference this year, and we hope that this will encourage more women to look beyond the traditional medical career. Extreme medicine is a really big growth area – holiday companies are offering more extreme experiences and sadly, violence and disaster events seem to be increasing. Getting involved in this side of medicine opens up huge opportunities for work and adventure for practitioners across all areas of medicine.”

Take the opportunity to be inspired and learn first-hand from these extraordinary women by booking your tickets to the 2018 World Extreme Medicine Conference now – only a few places left!