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Chelsea Field Institute
Welcome to the Chelsea Field Institute (CFI)! Started in 2025, we are a newly developing center that focuses on wilderness medicine. Together with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), we offer foundational wilderness medicine courses in Southeast Michigan. CFI was born out of a love for wilderness medicine and the outdoors with a need for more outdoor education in southeast Michigan. Currently, we offer Wilderness First Aid (WFA) courses with the hope to expand to more offerings in the future.
NOLS Wilderness Medicine
NOLS Wilderness Medicine is the international leader in wilderness medicine education. NOLS Wilderness Medicine has held courses on 6 of the 7 continents and trained over 200,000 students. With a full-time Curriculum Director and a board of advisory physicians, NOLS Wilderness Medicine’s curriculum is constantly updated to stay at the forefront of this dynamic field.
NOLS Wilderness Medicine is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education. Sponsored by the National Registry of EMTs, the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American College of Osteopathic Emergency Physicians, and others, CAPCE accredits organizations that consistently provide excellent educational opportunities to students. See the NOLS website for more information.
Matthew Moore MS, WFR, PA-C
Matt grew up in Massachusetts, exploring the New England woods as a youth. Eventually, he moved to Flagstaff, Arizona where he started work as a backpack guide in and around the Southwest region. This is when he took his first WMI/NOLS medicine course in 2005. Since that time he plotted his return to NOLS as an instructor. In addition to guiding Matt worked as an EMT while finishing up two bachelor degrees: one in Parks and Recreation Management and the second in Biology. The medical field pull became even stronger over the years and Matt applied to Physician Assistant (PA) school. Finishing Masters degree in Health Science in 2014 and since that time working as PA in the field of Cardiothoracic Surgery. After moving to Michigan in 2019, Matt became a NOLS instructor in 2020.
Jayme Fralick RN, MSN
As a young girl, Jayme could often be found in the fields near her home, tending to her ‘hospital’ or climbing trees. Her 'hospital' was a place where she cared for mice, birds, and rabbits in need. She would create 'potions and medicines' using the fruits and plants surrounding her home.
Jayme’s love for nature and caring for living creatures continued to grow over the years. She participated in medical mission trips, traveled to various countries, and deepened her knowledge of healthcare.
With a strong curiosity about how things work, Jayme is now a Nurse Education Specialist who is passionate about teaching others. When she isn’t teaching, she enjoys spending time with her children and creating 'potions and medicines' from her garden. Her dedication to learning, teaching and nurturing others has remained a constant throughout her life.
Chelsea, MI
Located just 15 minutes from Ann Arbor, Chelsea is a thriving community with agricultural roots and a vibrant arts scene. Both of these characteristics drive the family-friendly culture that has blossomed in the community. From world-class dining and theatre to local festivals and seasonal concerts, there’s something everyone can enjoy every month of the year. And because it’s tucked between more than 30,000 acres of state land, it’s an outdoor paradise too!
