posted January 02, 2026

Trek Sharpens Core Clinical Skills to Better Serve Local Patients

QUARTZSITE, AZ – Jan. 2, 2026 – When TriState CareFlight Paramedic Tabitha Rasch set out on a 17-day trek through the Himalayas to Everest Base Camp, she wasn’t chasing a summit. She was investing in continuing education that pushes clinicians to think outside the box and beyond what’s familiar. Rasch completed World Extreme Medicine’s mountaineering and high‑altitude course, a unique continuing education experience designed to prepare medical professionals for care in expedition environments. The UK-based program blends daily lectures with field scenarios, building clinical reasoning and teamwork far from the comforts of hospital resources—mirroring the challenges faced by helicopter emergency medical services teams.

Rasch’s cohort was an intentionally diverse group of practitioners from around the world, each bringing unique perspectives and specialties. Together, they trekked from Lukla, in Nepal, to Everest Base Camp, stopping in high-altitude villages to acclimatize and learn. Days were filled with lectures and practical scenarios, while nights were spent in simple rooms rather than tents. Yaks hauled medical supplies along rugged trails as the group practiced rope rescue techniques and managed mock high‑altitude emergencies.

“This course reinforced the saying ‘less is more,’ especially in remote settings,” said Rasch. “This experience sharpened my fundamentals and decision-making when diagnostics are scarce, and those skills directly translate to how we care for patients here in Arizona.”

Now, Rasch applies these expedition lessons to her work as a TriState CareFlight paramedic serving the Quartzsite community. In the demanding desert environment, where long transports require resourcefulness, she leverages the environment, crew dynamics, and available tools to deliver targeted, high-level clinical care.

Her broadened clinical expertise complements TriState CareFlight’s ongoing investments in regional emergency care. This includes carrying blood on every transport and deploying the AutoPulse® NXT automated CPR devices earlier this year to improve patient outcomes. TriState CareFlight provides support to first responders and hospitals, offering the community critical care 24/7/365 and responding to emergency medical and trauma events, including heart attacks and strokes, burns, and other critical ailments and incidents—serving as a flying intensive care unit.

“We work very closely with the fire departments and other EMS agencies because we are so remote and strictly in a desert environment,” said Rasch. “Being able to add these skillsets to the toolbox for our emergency service is an opportunity to provide the best care to our patients.”

The TriState CareFlight program is operated by Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service. TriState CareFlight ’s clinicians receive hands-on training through Air Methods Ascend, an accredited in-person and online training program that allows clinicians to perform at the top of their licensure, deliver the highest level of prehospital care, and work in lockstep across the region, regardless of the community they serve.

Beyond her annual training, Rasch independently pursued the World Extreme Medicine experience after several international volunteer opportunities sparked her passion for practicing medicine in challenging environments.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for the past three years. I think it’s a privilege to have experiences that completely change and shape you as a person in many different ways,” said Rasch. “If that can also crossover into your career, it can improve your work life, your coworkers, and your patients. I strongly encourage others to seek out these opportunities. It doesn’t have to be as extreme as what I did, anything that breaks the cycle and gives you a new perspective is hugely helpful.”

TriState CareFlight program remains dedicated to serving communities across Arizona, California, and Nevada. The program in-network with most major insurance providers, and its dedicated patient advocacy team works directly with patients and families to ensure that financial concerns never stand in the way of receiving care. No prepaid membership is ever required.