Hospital conference focuses on bear maulings

A former Glacier National Park ranger, a plastic surgeon and a bear attack survivor will be among the speakers at a conference called “Bear Maulings: Before and After.”

The conference will be held at Kalispell Regional Medical Center’s Buffalo Hill Conference Center on Saturday, April 5, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The talk was organized by KRMC surgical technologists Cara Boka and Marsha Lyles and, while developed for medical personnel, it’s expected to hold broad interest for all people living in bear country.

Retired ranger Gary Moses headed up Glacier Park’s bear management planning and operations for 23 years and investigated a number of extraordinary bear incidents.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Brent Buchele, orthopedist Dr. Larry Iwerson, pharmacist Donna Reber and ALERT helicopter crew member Reece Roat will talk about their experiences.

And bear attack survivor David Reich was recount what happened to him on Sept. 12, 1995, when he was mauled by a grizzly bear.

Cost to attend is $50 at the door. Register online at www.mt-ast.webs.com. Registration closes March 28.