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Under Extreme Circumstances

The pursuit of life, love, and miracles in the Alaskan frontier.

Coronavirus Disease 2019
Hope in the Face of Uncertainty

Thomas J. Sims M.D. on March 8, 2020

Coronavirus has given us times of uncertainty and discontent. Here's some advice from a family doctor that will help get us through these times.

Coronavirus has given us times of uncertainty and discontent. Here's some advice from a family doctor that will help get us through these times.

Depression
The Extreme Circumstance of Losing a Loved One

Thomas J. Sims M.D. on August 29, 2019

We all experience grief. But what if it gets the best of you and starts to turn into depression? Here are three principles of adaptation and survival that can help.

We all experience grief. But what if it gets the best of you and starts to turn into depression? Here are three principles of adaptation and survival that can help.

Fear
How Experience Turns Into Instinct

Thomas J. Sims M.D. on March 25, 2019

When your training and experience let you down, what can you do to make changes without fear that ultimately can improve your outcome?

When your training and experience let you down, what can you do to make changes without fear that ultimately can improve your outcome?

Education
How to Persevere for Success Like We Did in the Arctic

Thomas J. Sims M.D. on February 18, 2019

When life throws you a curveball and you're not sure how to deal, learning to improvise, being flexible and persevering can be the key to success. Read how we did it in the Arctic.

When life throws you a curveball and you're not sure how to deal, learning to improvise, being flexible and persevering can be the key to success. Read how we did it in the Arctic.

On Call in the Arctic
Pregnancy
Under Extreme Circumstances: Session Two

Thomas J. Sims M.D. on January 10, 2019

Read how I needed to forget everything I'd ever learned about obstetrical deliveries and be flexible in my approach to save the life of a friend and her baby deep in Arctic winter.

Read how I needed to forget everything I'd ever learned about obstetrical deliveries and be flexible in my approach to save the life of a friend and her baby deep in Arctic winter.

Stress
Let's Unplug the Christmas Machine

Thomas J. Sims M.D. on December 7, 2018

Has Christmas become an emotional & financial stress for you as it has for many? Get some facts and figures about this glorious holiday and learn how you can make it better.

Has Christmas become an emotional & financial stress for you as it has for many? Get some facts and figures about this glorious holiday and learn how you can make it better.

Career
Lesson One: How We Survived Work and Isolation in the Arctic

Thomas J. Sims M.D. on November 6, 2018

It took a lot to adapt to life and isolation working in the Arctic as a bush doctor. Read about one of three principles we discovered that allowed us to survive.

It took a lot to adapt to life and isolation working in the Arctic as a bush doctor. Read about one of three principles we discovered that allowed us to survive.

Child Development
Under Extreme Circumstances

Thomas J. Sims M.D. on October 9, 2018

Combine the fish-out-of-water stories of Northern Exposure with antics of The Alaskan Bush People and you have a story of life and adaptation by a doctor who lived that life.

Combine the fish-out-of-water stories of Northern Exposure with antics of The Alaskan Bush People and you have a story of life and adaptation by a doctor who lived that life.