Paul S. Auerbach, Editor of Wilderness Medicine, Author of The Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine, and Medicine for the Outdoors, and pioneer in the field of Wilderness Medicine passed away on June 23^rd at the age of 70.

Dr. Auerbach is known as a leading figure in the field of wilderness medicine and a driving force in its distinction as a subspecialty within emergency medicine. He was a founder and past-president of the Wilderness Medical Society, the world’s leading organization devoted to the integration of medical practice in extreme situations, including mountains, jungles, deserts, caves, marine environments, and space. 

In addition to his Elsevier book publications, Dr. Auerbach was a founding Editor of the Journal of Wilderness Medicine (now Wilderness & Environmental Medicine)and co-author of the book, Enviromedics: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health. He has also served on numerous editorial boards, the most recent being for Emergency Medicine Reports.

Dr. Auerbach received his Doctorate in Medicine from the Duke University School of Medicine in 1977 and completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical center in 1980. He served in various academic roles, most recently as the Redlich Family Professor Emeritus in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Dr. Auerbach will be remembered not only for his academic and editorial contributions, but also his work around the world as a first responder in disaster settings and establishing protocols for delivering medical care in under resourced and remote locales.

Our sympathies go out to Dr. Auerbach’s family, friends, colleagues, mentees, and the field of wilderness medicine at large. He will be greatly missed.