What is the Appalachian Trail?

Since 2020, Joshua “Josh '' Estep, MD, has worked as an internal medicine specialist at the Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport, Oregon. Prior to that, he served as a resident physician at AU-UGA Medical Partnership in Athens, Georgia, following the completion of his MD.. In his free time, Dr. Josh Estep enjoys hiking, and has explored the Appalachian Trail.

Exceeding 2000 miles, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a marked hiking trail that runs through 14 US states across the South and Northeast, including Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. Starting at Springer Mountain in Georgia and ending at Mount Katahdin in Maine, it is considered the world’s longest hiking trail and has over two million hikers on a section of the trail each year. While most of the trail runs through wildlands, some parts of it cross towns and farms.

Thousands of hikers attempt to travel the full distance of the Appalachian Trail each year, but only one in four completes the trip, which is estimated to take five to seven months to finish. The trail was established in 1937 but it took over a decade to create. Currently, it is maintained by the nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the United States Forest Service, and more than 30 hiking clubs who collaborate with the government authorities for repair and upkeep.

Shaping the Future of Internal Medicine

    

Dr. Joshua “Josh” Estep is an internal medicine specialist at the Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport, Oregon. Josh Estep MD is responsible for delivering quality patient care within a hospital setting. To complement his professional outlook, Josh Estep MD maintains membership with the American College of Physicians (ACP).

The American College of Physicians is America’s largest medical specialty organization that brings together internists, internal medicine subspecialists, residents, fellows, and medical students. For ACP to achieve its mandate, there are multiple support opportunities where ACP members support the college’s mission to uplift the internal medicine profession. ACP Leaders Circle Giving Society seeks to recognize ACP members who’ve devoted themselves to generously contributing to support various programs with a minimum leadership gift of $1,000 annually.

Leaders Circle members closely participate in ACP’s briefings and events and are acknowledged on the college’s website, ACPOnline.org. Members also receive private invitations to an annual recognition event held during the Internal Medicine Meeting. Additionally, they are acknowledged in an ACP Internist issue and receive Pulse, a quarterly newsletter designed for them. Lastly, donors are publicly recognized on a Wall of Honor plaque located at the ACP Headquarters. As a member of the Leaders Circle member, an individual best demonstrates their support to positively impact the future of internal medicine.

How Allergic Reactions Occur

Dr. Joshua “Josh” Este is a board-certified MD from Newport, Oregon. He serves as an internal medicine physician who provides care within a critical access setting. Possessing a wide knowledge of general medicine, Josh Este, MD, has assisted patients with issues such as allergic reactions.

Allergic reactions typically take place when the immune system is overly sensitive to substances that are usually harmless. These substances are known as allergens and range from nuts to pet dander. Allergies impact as much as 40 percent of people worldwide.

There are several ways in which allergens may enter the body, including inhalation, eating or drinking, injection, and skin contact. Skin contact is known as contact dermatitis and involves touching something repeatedly to which one has an allergy. Rashes typically appear between 24 and 48 hours after this contact. It is important to note that an allergy-related rash is not necessarily contact dermatitis. An allergen that has entered the body (through eating peanut butter, for example) may also trigger inflammation and a skin rash.

Sweet Creek Falls in Oregon’s Coastal

Practicing in Newport, Oregon, Dr. Joshua “Josh” Este leverages his MD as a member of the Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital team, where he manages patient care. An outdoors enthusiast, Josh Este, MD, enjoys backpacking and has explored various wilderness trails. One scenic area about 40 miles south of Newport is Sweet Creek Falls.

Inhabiting a lush Coast Range valley, the trail is located Siuslaw National Forest and spans four sections totaling three miles. The verdant forest is characteristic of the coastal region and includes big leaf maple, alder, and Douglas fir. The 11 waterfalls encountered along this route all feature ferns and moss-grown rocks. The highlight is a tiered series of cascading waterfalls in the 10- to 30-foot range that together offer a haunting “multiple waterfall” effect.

One word of caution is that the stream can have fast-moving currents in the rainy season and there are many slippery stones in the vicinity. For this reason, an abundance of caution, rain gear, and a hiking partner are recommended for this trek.