I'm kind of a gypsy, so when a friend told me the U.S. Antarctic Program was going to use civilian medics, I applied. I mean, how many people get to go to Antarctica? With my background in wilderness medicine, I developed the Field Camp Medicine Program. We only have basic antibiotics and trauma gear, and it takes hours to med­evac someone. You have to be able to think on your feet—that's part of some people's personality, but you need training and experience. I have a master's in health science from Duke; my expertise is high altitudes and cold environments. Safety, safety, safety—it's all I talk about. You do everything in a field camp—deal with cargo, fuel planes, call the weather—and there's no whining allowed.