Ryan Paterson attended the University of Vermont School of Medicine and completed his Emergency Medicine Residency and Fellowship in Wilderness/Altitude/Expedition Medicine at Denver Health Medical Center/the University of Colorado, USA. He also holds advanced certifications in Tropical Medicine from the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) and in Mountain Medicine (DiMM). He is a practicing, board-certified Emergency Physician for Kaiser Permanente at St Joseph’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado, USA, and associate professor at the University of Colorado in the Department of Emergency Medicine section of Wilderness, Environmental and Expedition Medicine. In leisure, Ryan loves to spend time outdoors with his spouse and two children. He is an avid traveler, climber, and a former distance athlete. Dr. Paterson is the founder and director of Emergency Medical Providers (EMP) a leader in the provision of remote medical support and expedition medical direction. Ryan is co-founder and former director for the Wilderness Medical Society Diploma in Mountain Medicine (DiMM) course. Ryan also has significant experience in large-race/event medical management. He serves as medical director for GlobalLimits and has medically-directed multiple GlobalLimits events. He is the current United States delegate to the International Society of Mountain Medicine (ISMM). Ryan founded the FLuME foundation and serves as medical director for Kolkata City Mission (KCM) working through both organizations to establish sustainable development solutions in education, health, women’s empowerment, micro-enterprise, and public-health for informal communities in and around Kolkata, India. Combining all of his training and passion, Dr. Paterson has worked in Disaster Relief efforts in both post-earthquake Nepal and with the UN in Iraq. Additionally, Dr. Paterson is an altitude researcher, expedition physician, mountain emergency medicine educator, and guide.

Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and energy to NVW West Coast as the Executive Director. His background in both the outdoors and the business world make him a great fit for this position. Andrew received his BA in Marketing with a Certificate in International Business at The University of Milwaukee before working as a Direct Sales Manager for a large corporation. After that he earned his MA in International Business at The University of Warsaw while completing an internship for the U.S. State Department. Andrew has been exploring the wilderness for years through canoeing, fishing, hunting, and hiking. He is currently a licensed charter captain and fishing guide and has a passion for teaching his skills.

Daryn started her work with therapeutic programs in 2006 after six years in the United States Navy and a year of independent humanitarian work in Zimbabwe. Since then, Daryn co-founded and co-ran a learning differences day school, was the team leader in a wilderness program, was the program director for a young adult transition program, and, most recently, the Admissions Director at a Discovery Ranch for Girls.

Daryn’s knowledge of wilderness therapy and experience in other therapeutic environments allows her to connect quickly with parents and provide a sense of calmness to the process.

Daryn graduated from Seattle University, a social justice institution, with a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology. She is committed to creating an environment for our clients and families where people of all backgrounds and identities feel respected, honored, and safe. Daryn is currently working on her master’s degree in business at Southern Utah University. She spends her free time with her husband, two young sons, and their two dogs rock climbing, skiing, whitewater kayaking, canoeing, cycling, reading, and traveling.

“We are thrilled to have Daryn join our team at New Vision Wilderness in Oregon. She brings a wealth of experience, energy, and passion that will help connect families to our program.” – Andrew Scott, Executive Director

Ryan joins the team at New Vision Wilderness in the role of Regional Outreach Director. His career has spanned across a range of medical services, from acute care adolescent psych to a therapeutic boarding school, to most recently at a wilderness therapy program. His true passion is working with teens as they navigate a challenging time in their life, ultimately helping to heal future generations. A transplant from Maryland, Ryan’s calling to the wilderness has landed him with New Vision, and he is excited about merging his passion and his background.

“It is with great excitement that I announce I have joined the incredible team at New Vision Wilderness, in the role of Outreach Director. I am excited to work with and learn from, Kathleen Goughler and Patrick McAvoy, who bring a wealth of industry experience and best practices.”

When not in the office, Ryan is mountain biking, skiing, coaching lacrosse, or spending time with his son.

I have been in the counseling and therapy field for over 25 years and have a diverse background including community mental health, inpatient, outpatient and wilderness therapy settings. I have a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Oregon and M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Antioch New England Graduate School in Keene New Hampshire. I am also very interested in the treatment of developmental trauma and attachment and how it seems to be at the core of many of issues including anxiety, depression, addiction, and overall well being. I have also been a student of consciousness, awareness, and the inner sciences since my time at U. of O. and have a daily yoga and meditation practice that help me to stay focused and centered. I also love spending time in nature, playing music, and going on adventures with my wife Jen and my favorite four legged, Lilly.

Liz joined the NVW team in 2010 and has been an integral part of the clinical team, wearing many therapeutic hats throughout the years. Although Liz has worked with each age population within New Vision, her passion is treating, supporting and guiding young adults. Young Adults are in a very important time of their life where wilderness and support create an optimal opportunity for self discovery, healing, interdependence, and personal growth.  Liz deeply believes that in order to establish a secure sense of self, healing through relational support and internal awareness is essential. She steps into this work with determination and excitement to utilize the power of nature, experiences in the present and relational repair to support that development of self. Liz achieved her Master of Social Work, emphasis on Child and Family and Mental Health, from Loyola University Chicago in Illinois. She is trained in Brainspotting, EMDR-Level One and Two, Emotionally Focused Therapy and Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga which are powerful tools to utilize with trauma, attachment and anxiety. Liz utilizes these tools to create a powerful experience within treatment. Outside of work you can find Liz trying to find every waterfall in Oregon, dancing, reading, and rooting for her favorite team, the Wisconsin Badgers.

As the Operations Director at Deschutes Wilderness Therapy, Dan oversees the Operations Department which includes risk management, crisis response, quality control, research, accreditation, logistics, and on-site medical systems.  He consults regularly with other DWT departments to help facilitate effective organizational systems, culture, and personnel development. Dan has been working in the wilderness therapy industry since 2012. He received his BS in Physics with a Minor in Mathematics from Penn State University and his MS in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Sacred Heart University. He has been a WEMT since 2014 and is passionate about the medical field. Dan spent three years as a senior guide before transitioning into program leadership and has worked in a variety of field, programming, and operations roles since then. Dan has a passion for the outdoors and outdoor sports and spends his off time cycling, skiing, rafting, and kayaking.

Rachel graduated from UW Milwaukee with a degree in Community Education and a focus on therapeutic work. During college, she was also a full time athlete on the diving team. For the past five years, Rachel has worked with many children with disabilities as a line therapist for kids with autism and also as a volunteer for special education classrooms and horse therapy programs. Rachel took courses with her dog to achieve therapy dog certification. They visited nursing homes to help raise the spirits of those who need it most. Rachel is excited to be continuing her journey here at NVW; and in her free time, she enjoys fishing, horseback riding, skiing, hiking and going to the movies.