ASPEN, Colo. (June 11, 2026) — The Aspen Ambulance District continues its commitment to providing the highest level of emergency medical care through advanced hands-on education for its Paramedics and Critical Care Paramedics. One of the most valuable and specialized training opportunities offered to providers is participation in cadaver laboratory education; a learning environment typically associated with medical schools, surgical residencies and major academic medical centers. This training is rare for EMS agencies and has not been offered before in the Roaring Fork Valley.
The training was completed at the Aspen Ambulance District Station over the course of June 10th and 11th. Over the course of two days, 36 EMS personnel were trained in advanced critical procedures. The training was funded in part by a grant from the Colorado Resource for Emergency and Trauma Education (CREATE). CREATE assists private and public organizations in improving and expanding the emergency medical and trauma system in Colorado. Applicants must have as their purpose the provision of emergency medical and trauma services in Colorado to be eligible.
Cadaver lab training provides emergency medical personnel with the opportunity to perform advanced lifesaving procedures on human tissue in a controlled educational setting. This experience offers a level of anatomical realism and procedural feedback that cannot be fully replicated with mannequins or simulation equipment alone. For Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers, whose work often involves making critical decisions in seconds, this type of education can have a direct impact on patient care.
“Every emergency is different, and many of the procedures we perform happen under extremely stressful and time-sensitive conditions,” said Gabriel Muething, Chief of Emergency Medical Services for Aspen Ambulance District. “Cadaver lab training allows our clinicians to strengthen muscle memory, better understand anatomy, and develop greater confidence when performing advanced interventions on critically ill or injured patients.”
During the cadaver laboratory sessions, Paramedics and Critical Care Paramedics practice advanced procedures that may include airway management, endotracheal tube placement, surgical airway placement, chest decompression, surgical thoracostomy, ventilatory procedures, intraosseous vascular access and trauma interventions. These are high-acuity, low-frequency skills that may not be encountered regularly in day-to-day operations but are essential during serious emergencies.
Unlike synthetic simulators, human tissue provides realistic anatomical variation, tactile feedback and procedural resistance. This allows providers to better understand the complexities of the human body and adapt to challenges they may encounter in the field.
Deputy Chief and Critical Care Paramedic Mark Falender described the training as one of the most impactful educational experiences available in emergency medicine.
“Training on actual human tissue changes your understanding completely,” said Falender. “You gain a much deeper appreciation for anatomy, and the experience builds confidence that carries directly into patient care. It allows us to practice procedures in a realistic way that simply cannot be duplicated with plastic mannequins.”
Critical Care Paramedic Anders Gustafson emphasized the importance of ongoing advanced education in a rural mountain EMS system.
“In our environment, we often care for critically ill or seriously injured patients for extended periods of time before they reach a hospital,” Gustafson said. “That means we need to be exceptionally prepared. Opportunities like cadaver lab training sharpen our procedural skills and make us better clinicians for our community.”
For rural and mountain-based EMS agencies, advanced procedural competency is particularly important. Aspen Ambulance District providers frequently respond to emergencies in remote locations, difficult terrain, severe weather conditions and situations involving prolonged transport times. In these circumstances, paramedics must rely heavily on advanced assessment, critical thinking and procedural precision.
The Aspen Ambulance District believes investing in high-level education directly benefits patient outcomes and reinforces public trust in the local emergency medical system.
“People often do not see the amount of training that occurs behind the scenes in EMS,” Muething said. “Our providers continuously pursue education that far exceeds minimum national requirements because our mission is to deliver the highest quality care possible to every patient, every time.” Each session of the lab will be accompanied by a trauma surgeon from Aspen Valley Health to assist with training of surgical procedures performed by Paramedics. Dr. Alexandra Kovar and Dr. Zach Hartman graciously gave their time to assure the paramedics had a high level of training. Also assisting with the lab was Dr. Chris Martinez, medical director for Aspen Ambulance District.
The cadaver lab program is conducted with the utmost professionalism, ethics and respect for individuals who chose to donate their bodies to medical education. Donors provide an extraordinary contribution to the advancement of healthcare and the improvement of lifesaving skills for future patients.
“Our team approaches this experience with tremendous gratitude,” Muething added. “The willingness of donors and their families to support medical education ultimately helps emergency clinicians save lives in communities like Aspen.”
As emergency medicine continues to evolve, Aspen Ambulance District remains committed to pursuing innovative, evidence-based training opportunities that enhance provider readiness and improve patient care throughout the region.
About Aspen Ambulance District
Aspen Ambulance specializes in critical care emergency response and rescue, providing pre-hospital emergency medical services and inter-facility transfers at an exceptionally high level of care that meets the demands of our rugged terrain and the residents and visitors who live, work and play in the greater Aspen area. We go beyond traditional emergency response in our commitment to keeping our community safe, also focusing on prevention, education, emergency management and medical support for special events.
Media Contact
Gabriel Muething, Chief of Emergency Medical Services
Aspen Ambulance District
gmuething@aspenvalleyhealth.org
970-544-1580