DR. WHO
( continued from page 33) winter( summer below the equator) on a small boat with approximately 100 other people. He lives with them for two to three weeks at a time as the only physician aboard, and is responsible for any type of medical care required.
“ When we’ re out on the boat, we’ re so remote that a 48-hour sail is required to get to the nearest extraction point. We don’ t have blood work or x-rays, it’ s just me and the medicine,” Dr. Orthober explained, mentioning that in those 12 years he’ s not had any adverse outcomes.
“ There have been minor breaks and lacerations but nothing major. However, the risk is always there. There are all ages of people from young kids to 80-year-old gentlemen, walking on ice and other things that can hurt you. My job is to be with them during the entire voyage as we tour this wild land.”
While Dr. Orthober is technically working from start to finish on this voyage, he still gets to take in the breathtaking Antarctic scenery.“ You’ re exploring the last untouched area on Earth in an amazing environment. It’ s the most unexplainedly beautiful spot on the planet.”
Dr. Orthober takes pride in the fact that he’ s practiced medicine
on four continents. He’ s operated as a primary care physician on multiple medical service trips, traveling to Ecuador with the University of Louisville and Kenya with Western Kentucky University.
Back here at home, Dr. Orthober was hired full-time by UofL in 2010 and was offered the position of Medical Director for Louisville EMS in 2015. He explained that the job can be divided into three components: The first is hands on, being with street crews and making emergency runs; the second is administrative duties, completing quality assurance and planning protocols; the final component is representing the service in city politics and in front of the Metro Council as needed.
“ I by no means run EMS. It’ s a great big team of which I’ m the medical director,” he explained, noting that most of his work as medical director is done during his administrative time as UofL faculty.“ The hospitals require clinical shifts and then administrative time where physicians can apply themselves where they’ re interested, serve on committees, etc. My medical director work comes from that time. It meshes. I work hard and play hard.”
And play hard he does. Dr. Orthober is an experienced traveler( continued on page 36)
34 LOUISVILLE MEDICINE