Bryan M. Conkling

Conkling, Bryan M.
Bryan Michael Conkling, a man who lived with his whole heart, died on September 2nd at the age of 40 while doing what he loved best: adventuring in the mountains. It is rare to find a person that demonstrated excellence in so many categories: intellectual, physical, and ethical. As a rescuer, athlete, teacher, leader, scientist, advocate, satirist, and true innovator, Bryan touched more lives than he realized. Bryan was born in 1975 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and grew up outside of Santa Fe. He graduated from the Santa Fe Brunn School as valedictorian of his class at the age of 16. He received EMT training at the Santa Fe Community College and paramedic training at the Daniel Freeman Program in Los Angeles. He worked in the field of paramedicine for over 20 years, and was well respected by his peers at ambulance and life flight services across New Mexico and Colorado. He served as a ski patroller at Wolf Creek Ski area, and completed fire academy to join the Santa Fe County Firefighters. Most recently he was the regional manager for Tri State Care Flight EMS. An outdoor enthusiast and talented endurance athlete, Bryan was an avid runner, cyclist, skier, rock climber, and mountaineer. He won the La Tierra Torture cycling race at age 14, and was proud to compete in the Leadville 100. He was known to run from Pagosa Springs up Wolf Creek Pass before beginning a full day’s shift as a ski patroller. He felt most at home in the mountains and his loved ones take comfort in knowing that he spent his last days hiking in the Sandia's.  Bryan had a very strong sense of justice, duty, and service. He worked tirelessly to advocate for the undeserved, and for unrecognized groups. He trained in Marshall Rosenberg’s style of nonviolent communication and was incredibly resourceful at organizing social change. He held the elected office of Santa Fe County Health Commissioner, and was the founder and president of the Santa Fe County Firefighter’s Association. He achieved national accreditation as a Patient-Centered Medical Home expert, and recently was awarded the prestigious Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Pioneer in Medicine award for innovative approaches to solving problems in health care. Bryan was a self-taught scientist, inventor and a diligent and effective teacher. He was a certified instructor and national faculty with the American Heart Association, taught paramedic students at the Santa Fe Community College and mentored EMS personnel. He developed a new design of laryngoscope to improve success of intubation, and a hip prosthetic to reduce potential dislocation. He constantly challenged the medical field. In his final years, he spent considerable effort researching neurologic disorders. He tirelessly explored new avenues of treatment to help those suffering from conditions characterized by dopamine deficiency or dysfunction, such as those patients described by Dr. Oliver Sacks in Awakenings. He also hoped to highlight to physicians the importance of considering genetic differences in patients’ metabolism of pharmaceuticals. Bryan will be forever cherished as a son, brother, uncle, fiancée, life-saver, and dear loyal friend to many. To help pay forward his empathy and advocacy, his memory will be honored by formation of a foundation to help first responders, medical personnel, and animal rescue personnel combat the stress of compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and PTSD. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted to “Healing the Healer’s Heart” at any First American Bank in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho.  To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com  
Daniels Family Funeral Services
4310 Sara Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-892-9920