Friday, July 8, 2016

Outward Bound’s Intercept Expeditions for Struggling Teens


A Colorado ski instructor, Terry McEnany, MD, focuses on community volunteer activities during the off-season. Among his charitable endeavors, Terry McEnany, MD, previously served as a safety committee member with the Voyageur Outward Bound School.

Located in Ely, Minnesota, the nonprofit school strives to provide young men and women with challenging outdoor experiences that enable them to build leadership qualities and independence. Among the core Outward Bound offerings are Intercept Expeditions designed for struggling teenagers and their families.

Focused on strengthening the sense of family connection through shared decision making and respect for boundaries, Intercept Expeditions are led by compassionate, experienced instructors. Popular courses range from a Lake Superior semester to a Rio Grande backpacking expedition. The Boundary Waters cross country skiing and dog sledding expedition lasts nearly a month, and involves extensive travel across lakes that are frozen and covered with snow. Incorporated within the course are community service days spent assisting local food pantries and charities such as Goodwill.

Thursday, June 30, 2016

What to Expect from and How to Handle Black Diamond Slopes

 

Terry McEnany, MD, dedicated more than two decades to the medical field, serving as a cardiovascular surgeon. After retiring, Dr. Terry McEnany pursued his passion for skiing by becoming an instructor in Aspen, Colorado.

All ski resorts in North America use a rating system to identify the difficulty level of a slope. There is no standardization in the system, so ratings vary by resort. However, a sign bearing a black diamond will always signify a more challenging terrain, which requires advanced skills. Up to three black diamonds may appear on a sign. Each additional diamond informs you that a trail needs more expertise to descend.

Steep and narrow are common characteristics of a black diamond slope. Additionally, they often contain more hazards, such as rocks, trees, and cliffs and tend to be less groomed. Travel down these trails with caution and use hairpin turns to have full control of your journey. Hairpin turns help with regulating speed because it involves positioning skis parallel to one another and perpendicular to the slope direction, also known as the main fall line of a hill. This slows speed by creating more resistance and allows you time to execute your descent the way you intend.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Call-In and News Programming on Wisconsin Public Radio


An instructor of snowboarding and skiing in Aspen, Colorado, Terry McEnany, MD, was a thoracic surgeon for several decades. Dr. Terry McEnany is also active in volunteerism, having coordinated Wisconsin Public Radio's (WPR) annual auction.

Broadcast live over some 30 stations, Wisconsin Public Radio consists of three programming services: the Ideas Network, the NPR and Classical Network, and the All Classical Network. Podcasts and streaming are also available.

The Ideas Network presents several shows in which listeners call in and interact with newsworthy guests:

The Larry Meiller Show provides gardening programming and environmental information, among other programming, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on weekdays. Recently, Larry Meiller discussed winter's effect on insect populations and the allergy season.

-The Kathleen Dunn Show airs from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It specializes in objective discussion about current issues, with recent topics including presidential primaries and gun violence.

-The Joy Cardin Show, airing from 6 to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday, covers a variety of topics, ranging from responsible voting to products made in Wisconsin.                            

Monday, April 4, 2016

Eau Claire Community Foundation Benefits Many Good Causes


After serving for some 30 years a medical professional, Terry McEnany, MD, made a career switch to become a ski instructor in Aspen, Colorado. Dr. Terry McEnany also devotes time to charity and previously served on the grants committee of the Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF).

The ECCF provides a framework in which donors can build funds to support their favorite cause. It facilitates a simple way for interested citizens to make a difference in the Eau Claire, Wisconsin, area.

The foundation has made possible some 140 funds, valued at $10,000 to $1 million. Whether the funders are individuals, families, or organizations, ECCF invests the funds in one of its three investment pools. Every year, funds from one of these pools go toward grants for foundation members to use for their own purposes.

Donors can grow seed funds, which expand until they are large enough to make community grants. Starting one of these Acorn Funds costs as little as $500; donors then make tax-deductible contributions for about five years. Afterward, they are considered fully funded with $10,000 and can make grants.

Several types of funds are possible. Unrestricted grants can cover any intended purpose, while field of interest funds are matched to specific concerns. Designated funds provide continuous support for already-existing groups. Pass-through funds are intended for short-term purposes to meet a particular need.

Corporate or individual donors with greater resources can start funds for $1,500. These persons advise the foundation on the best use of the funds, and grant making begins at $25,000.                            

Monday, March 14, 2016

Preparing Skis for Summer Storage

Terry McEnany, MD, draws on extensive experience as a ski instructor with Ski and Snowboard Schools in Aspen, Colorado. There, Dr. Terry McEnany has advised skiers on topics ranging from safety and technique to off-season storage.

Before putting skis away for the long summer, it is important to thoroughly wash all parts with water and a soft brush. Owners should then fully dry the skis and inspect the level of wax remaining on the base. Some skiers choose not to apply wax if a coating remains on the ski, while others believe that a thorough wax without scrape and polish is important for proper ski protection.

Skiers should also carefully assess for any discoloration or cracking on the bindings. In general, most bindings will need replacement after five seasons or several hundred days of use. Those who set their binding settings at 7 or above may wish to lower the settings for storage to avoid pressure, though experts recommend making a visible note to re-set the number before use the following season. Skiers should then choose a location for storage where skis will not be exposed to heat and where no pressure is applied that might bend the skis themselves.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Courses Needed to Become a Certified Ski Instructor


Born in Davenport, Iowa, Terry McEnany, MD, worked as a surgeon before beginning a second career as a ski instructor in Aspen, Colorado. Terry McEnany has been employed by the Aspen Skiing Company since 1998 and is one of 31,500 members of the Professional Ski Instructors of America-American Association of Snowboard Instructors (PSIA-AASI). In the past 51 years, PSIA-AASI has evolved into an entity with more than 31,500 members.

Founded in 1961, PSIA-AASI certifies instructors once they demonstrate that the teachers can pass on specific curriculum to their students. The organization has three levels of certification. The Rocky Mountain Division of the PSIA-AASI, for example, is holding an Alpine Level 1 Exam at Buttermilk ski area in Aspen beginning February 29, 2016. Candidates must participate in three days of coaching and evaluations to prove their competence to instruct beginning skiers. Association members who successfully complete the program earn a Level 1 Certification.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Experience Snowmass Mountain During the Winter Season


Terry McEnany, MD, built a successful career as a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon over the course of 25 years. Most recently, Terry McEnany provided ski lessons in his role as instructor at the Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen in Colorado.

Located within driving distance of four separate mountains, Colorado's Aspen Snowmass ski resort offers a wide variety of winter activities to its guests. Snowmass is the largest and most popular of all the mountains, featuring a vertical rise of more than 4,400 feet and an excess of 3,300 skiable acres during the winter season. While on the mountain, both children and adults can take ski lessons, dine at a number of restaurants, or ride any of Snowmass’s 94 trails. Spanning 150 miles, these trails accommodate skiers from beginning to expert levels, though the majority of trails cater to intermediate skiers.

Those who do not wish to ski can also experience Snowmass throughout the winter season. Between November and April, the ski resort hosts a number of guest activities on the mountain, including its weekly Ullr Nights party at Elk Camp. Guests can also go tubing on Snowmass or attend the resort’s annual Thanksjibbing event.                            

Friday, January 15, 2016

Preventing Frostbite When Skiing


Terry McEnany, MD, served as a cardiovascular surgeon and clinical educator for 25 years. Now engaged in a second career as a ski instructor, Dr. Terry McEnany works with students at Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen, Colorado.

Defined as the freezing of body tissues, frostbite can develop with any overexposure to cold temperatures. This may occur with extended exposure to moderately cold temperatures or with brief exposures to extreme cold. In either case, skin begins to signal damage with pain and subsequently with numbness as ice crystals form within the tissue.

Insulation of the extremities is key to preventing this process, as parts of the body farthest from the heart are also those most susceptible to frostbite. Skiers should carefully layer both hands and feet, preferably with a wicking under-layer that keeps moisture away from the skin. Any moisture, including that produced by blowing warm air on the fingers, can lower skin temperature. When hands or head do become warm, the skier should remove outer layers before sweat forms.

Physical activity may also be helpful in keeping the extremities warm, though excessive wind renders this strategy less effective. In fact, wind chill stands out as a contributing factor to frostbite and should prompt a skier to be more mindful of temperature sensations. If the skier does notice a numbness in the extremities, immediate overall warmth or a warm-water soak may prevent the condition from progressing further. Severe cases or cases that involve loss of sensation typically require medical attention.                            

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Aspen, Colorado - A Skiing and Cultural Destination for Decades


Over the course of a career spanning several decades, accomplished cardiovascular surgeon Terry McEnany, MD, held prominent positions at medical facilities across the country. Currently, Dr. Terry McEnany divides his time between Boston and Aspen, Colorado, where he serves as a ski instructor at the Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen.

A skiing and outdoor recreation destination for decades, Aspen first made its mark on the skiing world in 1950, when the community hosted the United States’ first world skiing competition. That event and others that followed showcased Aspen’s unique and difficult mountain terrain and helped elevate the area’s status as an international destination for both skiers and cultural enthusiasts.

Over the years, Aspen continued to expand its ski territory and attract visitors from around the world. Today, the town remains a top destination for not only skiing but also art, music, and education. Modern visitors travel to Aspen to enjoy such events as the Alpine Skiing World Cup, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Winter X Games, which will be held there every year through 2019.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Determining Your Skiing Skill Level


A graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Terry McEnany, MD, practiced thoracic and cardiovascular surgery for nearly 25 years, and he has a second career as a ski instructor at Ski and Snowboard Schools of Aspen, Colorado. Operating out of Aspen Snowmass ski resort, Terry McEnany and his fellow instructors help aspiring skiers of all ages and skill levels hone their skills on the slopes.

Before deciding which ski lessons to register for, it’s best to first determine your personal skill level. Aspen Snowmass classifies beginners, who fall into levels 1-3, as individuals who have either never skied or who can only ski on green terrain. Beginner ski students learn to come to a stop, change direction, and link turns on green terrain. Level 4 skiers, or advanced beginners, can ski on all green terrain as well as easy blue slopes, while intermediate skiers can take on the majority of groomed blue areas. Intermediate skiers are able to ski parallel and perform a hockey stop before gaining experience on small bumps and easy, groomed black terrain. By level 7, intermediate skiers should be able to use their poles to make parallel turns and are prepared to take on ungroomed black slopes.

Advanced or expert skiers fall into levels 7-9 and are generally well equipped to explore all black terrain, as well as easy double-black slopes. They have learned to make rhythmic short radius turns on both groomed and ungroomed blue and black terrain, and should eventually be comfortable skiing on all areas of the mountain while honing their speed and technical skills.                              

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Mass General App Could Provide Faster, Cheaper Tumor Diagnoses


Dr. Terry McEnany has over 30 years of experience as a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon. Early in his medical career, Terry McEnany, MD, completed a surgical residency at Massachusetts General Hospital (Mass General), where he also served as chief resident and a staff surgeon.

The first teaching hospital of Harvard University, Mass General has been at the forefront of medical care and research since its founding in 1811. However, not all doctors and hospitals have access to such progressive resources. Advanced screening technology is prohibitively expensive for many healthcare providers, and countless individuals in rural areas lack the resources to access specialty care. In response, a team of Mass General investigators set out to develop a smartphone-based platform which could quickly, reliably, and cost-effectively diagnose tumors.

The D3 (digital diffraction diagnosis) system simply uses a battery-powered LED light and a high-resolution camera that clips onto standard smartphones to capture images of tissue samples. The tissue samples are treated with a microbead solution that binds to known cancer-related molecules, and the patterns are then analyzed against a numerical algorithm to determine the presence of a tumor. Pilot tests revealed that the D3 system’s accuracy matched current molecular profiling techniques and cost only $1.80 per assay - a rate which is expected to improve as the system is enhanced. Future plans for development involve testing to determine the D3 platform’s ability to analyze markers of other diseases and its feasibility in rural settings and developing countries.