After returning from the Wilderness Medicine Conference at the University of Utah School of Medicine, the ETSU EMERGE president is hopeful the club and non-profit will see great growth and recognition.
At the conference, members of EMERGE were able to receive certifications in basic and advanced wilderness life support, which were taught at an attending or physician level. EMERGE plans to attend the same conference again in the fall of next year.
Matthew Rauhuff is a senior at ETSU and has been involved with EMERGE since his freshman year; he currently serves as the president of EMERGE and the director of its non-profit program.
Rauhuff shared that since his initial involvement in EMERGE, he has seen the organization transform from a small, niche group into a revamped club that is able to target a wider demographic of students with its educational focus.
“Our mission is to educate the general population on emergency medicine and also connect students with opportunities to grow in that type of field,” Rauhuff said.
EMERGE works with the American Red Cross to offer workshops and certify students in adult and pediatric first aid, CPR and AED. Normally, these certifications cost anywhere from $75-$100, but obtaining them through the EMERGE non-profit program makes them only $50.
The educational aspect of EMERGE is a large focus for Rauhuff–one that he intends on expanding to high schools in the region. He believes that everyone should have some knowledge of first aid skills, even if just at a basic level.
To accommodate their intentions of expansion to local high schools, EMERGE is entering another contract with the American Red Cross, which will allow them to offer their classes to high school students for only $10.
Rauhuff added that EMERGE also seeks growth on its home campus.
“A big part of the club side of EMERGE is the educational aspect, so we want to keep that up and also grow our membership,” Rauhuff said. “We’re also looking for volunteers to serve as instructors for the course.”
Students interested in getting involved with EMERGE do not have to be studying any type of medicine-related or emergency response field; membership is open to any student at ETSU.
For more information and updates, visit EMERGE’s Instagram: @etsuemerge or email at emerge@etsu.edu.
