Idaho State University hosted the ALSO (Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics) Course in Pocatello, bringing together 38 healthcare professionals for two days of intensive, hands-on training in obstetric emergences. Participants included labor and delivery nurses, midwives, residents, and practicing physicians representing communities across Idaho, as well as Wyoming, Nebraska, and New Mexico.
Guiding the course was Dr. Don Dyer, Associate Professor of Women’s Health at ICOM and a nationally-certified ALSO instructor with more than 25 years of teaching experience. Over the course of his career, Dr. Dyer has trained residents, nurses, midwives, and physicians across the state, from Boise and Nampa to Idaho Falls and Caldwell. To ensure quality and relevance, ALSO Instructors like Dr. Dyer must recertify every three years, keeping course content aligned with the latest evidenced-based practices in maternal care.
The ALSO program plays a vital role in preparing providers to recognize complications early and respond with confidence, a critical skillset in rural communities where access to specialized services may be limited. Through simulated scenarios and team-based instruction, participants practice responding to high-stakes situations – from pregnancy complications to CPR –strengthening both individual skills and collaborative readiness.
“The four years here at ICOM and the clinical clerkship sites is just the beginning of lifelong learning for our medical students,” Dr. Dyer said.We want them to continue to be students and leaders in maintaining high-quality, caring medical care for all.”
Among those participating in the course were two ICOM alumni, now Family Medicine residents at Idaho State University, who earned new certifications through the program. Their involvement highlighted the connection between ICOM’s faculty leadership and the success of its graduates in the field.