J. Daniel Gumayan, MD

Dr. J. Daniel Gumayan is a dedicated Emergency Medicine resident at Virginia Tech Carilion (VTC) who applies a resourceful and practical approach to high-acuity patient care. His medical journey began after growing up in the Philippines and Central Illinois, attending community college and Bradley University, and working as a Nurse Assistant and Tutor during two gap years. He earned his medical degree from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Dr. Gumayan's core medical education is based on the clinic and hospital settings where support staff and equipment are readily available. This foundation has naturally guided him towards his chosen specialty of Emergency Medicine. He is committed to skill development, teaching others in resource-limited areas, and believes these are necessary skills for a Wilderness Medicine Physician.

Dr. Gumayan's clinical and academic work is heavily influenced by his passion for wilderness and austere medicine. His deep connection to the outdoors began with an early childhood in the rural Philippines, later strengthened by backpacking, camping, and outdoor rock climbing. He independently sought out and achieved his Wilderness First Responder certification during medical school, a humbling experience that expanded his medical knowledge and taught him practical skills like triage, treating common diseases in austere environments, and communicating with emergency services. To further his field expertise, he pursued his Open Water Scuba Certification to learn about marine and decompression injuries. His professional activities include research into hypothermia, formulating an educational project on difficult intubation during a drowning patient, and volunteering with Blue Ridge Adventure Medicine and USA Cycling. Rock climbing remains his primary outlet to destress during residency, complementing his other interests in running, video games, and martial arts.