Jacob Thomason
Jacob Thomason, MA, LPC is the Family Services Director at Northwoods Wilderness Therapy. His primary focus is supporting caregivers and siblings of students enrolled at Northwoods. Jacob graduated from Wheaton College with a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. He has served in various wilderness therapy roles including Clinical Director at Northwoods Wilderness Therapy. Jacob has a special interest in…
Read MoreEmily Fritz B.S., M.S., CTRS
Emily is an Iowa native that now calls the north woods of Wisconsin home. As an undergraduate, Emily double majored in exercise science and human performance and fitness, then went on to pursue her masters in recreation, park and tourism administration with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation. Emily fell in love with working outside during…
Read MoreDavid Puhl B.S.
David is a Wisconsin native, born and raised in Oshkosh, WI. Nature and the outdoors have always been a part of David’s life and have helped shape him as a person. David initially went to college for biology but quickly realized that his passion was in the outdoors and facilitating growth for individuals. David graduated with a degree…
Read MoreBen Koch MSc
Ben’s interest in working and teaching outdoors began while studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During his undergraduate years, he became involved with the Hoofers Outing club and spent his summers in the outdoors, first working with young kids at local summer camps and then leading international trips for high schoolers in Fiji, Switzerland and…
Read MoreDr. Ryan Patterson
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…
Read MoreKaci Sapinski
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, Kaci worked in health care for 15 years in Emergency Medicine and Cardiology. As her two sons entered High School, she began looking for a deeper connection to the service industry. Honored to be part of the development of a new University of Wisconsin collaborative program,…
Read MorePatrick McAvoy
Patrick McAvoy is the Admissions Director at Northwoods Wilderness Therapy. Throughout his career Patrick has helped adolescents and their families find solutions in times of crisis. Patrick has a bachelor’s degree in Management of Music and Communications from Ohio University. He began his work in wilderness therapy providing care and field coordination to students entering treatment. Since then he has served in Admissions…
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