Isaak Jones

Undergraduate School and Major: St. John’s University (Minnesota) - Biology

Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School

Life/professions/adventures prior to attending medical school: Uber Driver, Medical Scribe, Sustainable Development Intern in West Africa, Private Driver/Chauffeur, Outdoor Outfitter Employee, Masters Student

Interests / Hobbies: Backcountry Camping/Trekking, Canoe-Camping, Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Podcasting: Hardcore History with Dan Carlin, 99% Invisible, RadioLab, Philosophize This!, The Archaeology Channel, The Adventure Sports Podcast, Reading: Anthropology/Archaeology, Geography, History, Travel, Nature/Environment, Outdoor Writing

Favorite Food: If I had to pick a dish, Palak Paneer. But I am a fan of all food.

Favorite Novels: Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry, The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay, Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

Favorite Movie(s): Rogue One, The Dig, Fellowship of the Ring

Favorite Hike: Boy, I’d have to go with a top three: Yosemite’s North Rim / Utah’s Grand Gulch / Montaña Piccu in Peru

Favorite Ski Trail: Looking forward to figuring this one out.

Favorite Beach (doesn’t have to be in Maine): Home: Brighton Beach, Duluth, MN, Local: Popham Beach, Global: Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa

Closest brush with a famous person: On a tour in Johannesburg, a few friends and I drove by Nelson Mandela’s home in Jo’burg while he was inside! It was just one year before his passing.

Craziest / Best / Worst Job: Uber Driver in Boston.

If I weren’t a doctor I would be: In no specific order: Archaeologist, National Park Ranger, Conservation Worker, Wilderness/Expedition/Hunting Guide, Food and Travel Documentarian/Writer, Wildlife Biologist, Farmer

Medical Interests: Wilderness/Austere Medicine, Global Health, Critical Care, Ultrasound, Street Medicine, Underserved Populations

Personal Goals: -Be the most genuine, honest, and humble husband, father, and friend I can be.

-Have a largely sustainable/self-sufficient homestead.

-Become an independent, competent, and compassionate emergency physician.

-Bikepack the Colorado Trail and mountain bike “The Whole Enchilada” in Moab, UT

-Do one of the major Thru-Hikes.

-Travel to a new country each year with friends or family.

Why MMC: Maine Medical Center offered all of the things I wanted in a program. Maine Med EM is composed of an unassuming, yet quite impressive, group of people at a well-known and historical program. There is a culture of support, family-friendliness, and a high canine-to-human ratio among residents and faculty. MMC EM is located in a smaller-sized city with a huge catchment area that extends into the remote northern reaches of Maine. In addition, the quality of life in Portland is excellent, as is its food and welcoming culture. Not to mention the geography! Portland is on the ocean with ready access to mountains, lakes, rivers, and trails. It was difficult to pass up the combination of a strong program in a city that could accommodate the outdoor hobbies and activities for myself, wife, son, and dogs.