ear maulings are the central topics at a national conference for medical professionals and backcountry enthusiasts next month in Kalispell.

“Bear Maulings: Before and After” will be April 5 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Although developed for personnel in the medical field, the program is open to the public. 

Following talks by surgeons and health-care workers, the conference will conclude with a first-person story by a mauling survivor.

David Reich will recount what happened and how he survived a grizzly attack on Sept. 16, 1996. 

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Larry Iwerson will speak on “Managing Bear Maulings” and plastic surgeon Brent Buchele will take a look at “Complex Wounds: Bites and Maulings.”

Other speakers include:

n Retired Glacier National Park Ranger Gary Moses, who headed the park’s bear management planning and operations for 23 years and was involved with an extraordinary number of bear encounter investigations.

n Pharmacist Donna Reber, who will talk about antibiotic therapy.

n ALERT helicopter crew member Reece Roat, who will address field treatment for mauling victims.

The conference starts at 8 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. in the hospital’s Buffalo Hill Conference Center. 

The conference is spearheaded by KRMC surgical technologists Cara Boka and Marsha Lyles for the Montana State Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologists.

As many as 100 people from across the United States are expected to attend the conference.

Full-day attendance qualifies for six contact hours of continuing education from the Association of Surgical Technologists. 

The cost is $40 for association members, $45 for nonmembers, $20 for students or $50 at the door. 

Registration closes March 28; register online at www.mt-ast.webs.com. For more information, call Marsha Lyles at 406-670-8376.

For more details, go to www.kalispellregional.org/nwhc/news/index.cfm?id=824