Paul Auerbach

Paul Stuart Auerbach (January 4, 1951 – June 23, 2021) was an American physician and author in the academic discipline of wilderness medicine. He was the founder and past president of the Wilderness Medical Society.

Early life and education Auerbach was born in Plainfield, New Jersey. He graduated from North Plainfield High School in 1969. Auerbach then went to Duke University located in Durham, North Carolina, where he completed a B.A. in religion, graduating magna cum laude in 1973. Auerbach then went on to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and completed his clinical internship in 1978 before starting a residency in emergency medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center. Their efforts helped bridge the gap between traditional medical practice and the unique challenges of providing care in remote and extreme environments. The organization's mission was defined as fostering scientific knowledge and education related to wilderness medicine, benefiting both its members and the general public.

Under Auerbach’s leadership, the Wilderness Medical Society quickly established a foundational framework to advance its goals. Early efforts focused on five key areas: administration, curriculum development—ultimately shaping the Fellowship in the Academy of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM)—conferences, and publications. Over time, these pillars evolved into six primary focus areas: membership, conferences, education, research, the Academy of Wilderness Medicine, and Adventure Education.

Auerbach and his colleagues prioritized excellence and credibility in all Wilderness Medical Society educational programs. In 1984, their commitment to high standards was recognized when the organization earned accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).

Auerbach was the editor for the Journal of Wilderness Medicine (currently Wilderness and Environmental Medicine) published by the Wilderness Medical Society from 1990 to 1995. Auerbach was also the author of a number of articles and books on topics such as emergency medicine, hazardous marine animals, and scuba diving, including two books of underwater photography. He died on June 23, 2021, from brain cancer at the age of 70.

Awards Awards received by Auerbach include: DAN America Award, Divers Alert Network (1998)

Editorships and publications Auerbach was the editor for the Journal of Wilderness Medicine (currently Wilderness & Environmental Medicine) published by the Wilderness Medical Society from 1990 to 1995 when he became the Editor Emeritus. Editorial boards that he has served on included Topics in Emergency Medicine (1981–2006), The Journal of Emergency Medicine (1985–1986), Current Concepts in Wound Care. (1986–1988), Emergindex (1992–2002), Annals of Emergency Medicine (1988–1991), and European Journal of Emergency Medicine (1993–2006). He served on the editorial board for Emergency Medicine Reports (1986–20??). Auerbach was on the consulting editorial board for the Journal of Emergency Nursing from 1981 to 1985. He also served as the contributing medical editor for several diving publications including Dive Data (1987), Scuba Times (1988), The Undersea Journal (1988), and Dive Training (1991).

Books

Lemery, Jay; Enviromedics: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. 2017.

Abstracts

Patents 1989