Lead Staff

Led by Nadia's infectious enthusiasm, passion, and high standards, DMM staff are well trained, highly qualified, charismatic, and committed to what they do. All lead instructors have a minimum of Wilderness EMT training, generous experience as an outdoor educator or guide, and clinical medical experience. Most importantly, they all have a passion for sharing that knowledge with others.

Nadia Kimmel

Executive Director

WEMT-IV, B.S in Natural Recources Mgt., M.S. in Recreation

Is the driving force behind Desert Mountain Medicine. Frustrated by her initial classroom bound "wilderness medicine course", Nadia envisioned a more experiential wilderness medicine curriculum based in the field, drew up a business plan, and christened it Desert Mountain Medicine. Outside Magazine voted her one of "25 Goddesses Who Rule" in 2003 for her inspired vision in starting the business.

Nadia has worked as an outdoor educator for numerous organizations since 1991. She currently works for St. Anthony's Central ER department in Denver and has inspired countless Wilderness First Responders and Wilderness EMT's through her dynamic teaching since 1996. She has a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management, a Master's Degree in Recreation and is working on a nursing degree. She is fluent in French, has borrowed countless climbing racks to go to Indian Creek, and has left graceful telemark tracks all over the western United States, Canada, and South America.

Eric Riley

Lead Instructor & River Rescue Coordinator

WEMT, B.S. in Recreation and Outdoor Leadership

Or "Riley", as he is known, is the River Rescue Coordinator for DMM , manages OARS's Wyoming branch and is an American Canoe Association (ACA) advanced swiftwater instructor. He teaches swiftwater rescue professional, open water rescue, and wilderness medicine courses. When not traveling around the country in his vintage VW bus 'Stevie', Eric can generally be found in the rivers of the West, gainfully employing his former professional throwing arm rowing dories and managing OARS Wyoming. He possesses a gift for jerry-rigging anything mechanical and a wicked dry sense of humor.

Johann Aberger

Lead Instructor

WEMT, AMGA Rock Instructor, B.S. in Kinesiology, M.S. Social Justice

Is a lead instructor for DMM's WFR courses. He is a professor of Outdoor Education at Colorado Mountain College. He received his Masters in Social Justice from Prescott College in his spare time. An accomplished mountaineer and rock climber, Johann has left chalk marks and first ascents all over the western United States.

Mattie Paffenbarger

Lead Instructor

RN, WEMT, B.S. in Education

Is a lead instructor for DMM's WFR courses. Mattie works as an critical care RN in Tempe, AZ. In her spare time she is a backcountry guide for Scottsdale Community College's outdoor recreation program and an oarswoman for the Grand Canyon Youth nonprofit river program. Her love for experiential teaching and unique ability of delivering complex information simply is what makes her a fantastic teacher for DMM.

Deryn Peck

Assistant Instructor

WEMT

Growing up in the beautiful, and conveniently located, Napa Valley, Deryn was blessed with a family that took every opportunity to expose her to the incredible landscape California has to offer. She spent time backpacking the Lost Coast and Marble Mountains, skiing and snowboarding throughout Tahoe, and then discovering the incredible rivers along the Sierra Nevada’s.

After completing a B.A. Environmental Studies form Sonoma State University she worked as a Horticulturist for a private winery until her wanderlust became too strong and she began traveling. Volunteering in Futaleufu, Chile, she happened to be introduced to the world of whitewater where she immediately dove (not head first of course) into the sports of rafting and kayaking. Deryn now works as a River Guide for OARS taking every opportunity to introduce guests to California’s pristine rivers.

Shortly after becoming a Guide, Deryn began pursuing further medical knowledge and became a Wilderness EMT. She has used this training as a member of Bear Valley Mountain’s Ski Patrol and an instructor for Desert Mountain Medicine where she began teaching Wilderness First Responder courses in 2009. With a constant thirst for knowledge Deryn is actively pursuing Masters Degree in Nursing that she hopes to use in conjunction with her wilderness skills.

Ryan Diehl

Assistant Instructor

B.S. in Education and Recreation
WEMT-B

Honed his skills as a river guide and ski-bum. Spent the better part of a decade professionally river guiding throughout the west, but primarily running the rapids of Idaho. Ski Patrolling, River Guiding, Snowcat Driving, Forest Service tours of duty and traveling have been featured in Ryan's itinerary lately. Assistant swiftwater rescue and WFR instructor for DMM for 3 years. Now serves as assistant coordinator, Utah State University Outdoor Recreation Program.

Dave Bastian

Assistant Instructor

WFR

Dave Bastian lives in Northern Utah and serves as the Program Coordinator for the Utah Conservation Corps at Utah State University. Prior to coming to the UCC, Dave was the Director of Operations at Save Our Canyons and the Membership and Outreach coordinator for the Utah Rivers Council. Dave is working on a degree in Conservation Leadership at Utah State and spends his free time backcountry skiing, hiking, climbing, mountain biking and playing the guitar and banjo.

Alan Kaufmann

Assistant Instructor

M.S. in Forestry, B.A. in Geology
WFR

Alan Kaufmann is the Training Education and Risk Management  Coordinator for the Coconino Rural Environment Corps (CREC), a conservation corps based in Flagstaff, AZ.   After stints in MD, VA, MI, and CA, he attended Pomona College, earning a B.A. in Geology with minor concentrations in Ecology and Anthropology. He spent time in ID, CO, MN, SD, NM and VT before coming to Flagstaff in 1997 to earn a Master’s degree in Forestry from NAU. Alan’s career has been bipolar, flipping  between outdoor education and natural resource management. He has led over 100 wilderness trips (for Boy Scout high adventure bases, and a Wilderness Therapy program here in AZ). He has also worked on a wilderness trail crew, led an integrated pest management crew, and worked four seasons in fire management. When not at work, Alan pursues his interests in primitive survival skills, Taoist practice, Philipino martial arts, playing music, and reading.

Ryan Soderberg

Logistics / Staff Support

BS in IS

Has worked with DMM since 2007 providing the website / IT support duties and handling logistics amongst the staff members. Ryan has extensive experience promoting outdoor events both present and past. With an extensive background in trail running, mountain biking and skiing, following life's passions are always a priority.

Matt Parker

Assistant Instructor

WFR; M.S. Recreation Administration

Originating from Atlanta, Georgia, Matt began his outdoor career leading trips, teaching for and managing part of the outdoor recreation program at Georgia Southern University.  Since completing his Master’s work and fleeing the heat and humidity of the south, Matt has stayed busy touring around the intermountain west.  Matt has guided international trips to Northern India, Fiji and Australia, worked as a Senior Field Instructor for a top wilderness therapy program, guided sea kayak and river trips for O.A.R.S. and currently works as the Outdoor Recreation and Education Coordinator and Nordic Supervisor for the Town of Breckenridge, Colorado.  In his spare time, Matt can be found backcountry skiing, climbing, hiking, boating, brewing beer and seeing live music.

Tyler Harris

Assistant Instructor

WEMT

Stephen Szoradi

Assistant Instructor

WEMT