UCAOA is founded as a nonprofit corporation by Don Kilgore, Dr. John Koehler, Dan Konow, Dr. William Meadows, Dr. Lee Resnick, Marge Simat, and Dr. David Stern.
Inaugural National Urgent Care Convention, Orlando, Florida
First Benchmarking Survey conducted
Inaugural Journal of Urgent Care Medicine (JUCM) Issue Published
Certified Urgent Care Center Designation launched
Legislative initiatives begin
First live webinar produced and recorded
Urgent Care Foundation (UCF) is formed
Urgent Care College of Physicians (UCCOP) is formed
UCAOA Accredited by ACCME
New program standards created and new UCAOA Accreditation program is launched
Urgent Care College of Physicians (UCCOP) Board votes to include Advanced Practice Practitioners into the College
UCCOP changes its name to College of Urgent Care Medicine (CUCM)
Urgent Care Foundation (UCF) offers disaster relief funds to centers assisting hurricane victims
California Urgent Care Association (CalUCA) becomes a UCA chapter
UCAOA changes name to UCA
UCA launches Political Action Committee, UCAPAC
CUCM starts offering CME through Urgent Caring newsletter
Antibiotic Stewardship Commendation program launched
Urgent Care Convention returns after pandemic with record numbers
Voices of Urgent Care campaign shared with Congress
Formation of Delegates Council
UCF awards inaugural research grants
Initial DEI Benchmarking
Publication of Urgent Care Industry White Paper
Initial signatures from Congress for letter to CMS
Initial meeting with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and CMS Innovation Center (CMMI)
Launch of Advocacy Newsletter
Leadership & Advocacy Conference/Lobby Day: First "Ask to Congress" to make it a priority to work with UCA and Urgent Care to reduce inappropriate emergency department visits
Launch of Operational Response Committee
Bipartisan Congressional letter in support of Urgent Care sent to CMS leaders
Meeting with CMS to discuss Congressional letter
The association’s bylaws were updated in December 2023 by unanimous vote of the board.
As per the bylaws, the UCA financial statements are available for all members to review. The fiscal year is a calendar year. Articles of Incorporation can be found here.
Daily operations are managed by a Chief Executive Officer, a staff of full- and part-time professionals, and two Urgent Care industry consultants, overseen by the UCA Board of Directors.
There is power among us. We are stronger together.
Lou Ellen Horwitz, UCA Chief Executive Officer
UCA is composed of industry leaders, care providers and suppliers in the field of on-demand, consumer-focused healthcare. We are dedicated to the advancement and long-term success of Urgent Care, which includes a strong commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion to properly serve the diverse communities for which we care.
UCA started as the Urgent Care Association of America (UCAOA), and was founded on November 12, 2004 as a 501(c)6 by Don Kilgore, Dr. John Koehler, Dan Konow, Dr. William Meadows, Dr. Lee Resnick, Marge Simat, and Dr. David Stern. On May 7, 2018 UCAOA became the Urgent Care Association (UCA).
The 2024 Strategic Plan encompasses the activities of the Urgent Care Association, the College of Urgent Care Medicine and the Urgent Care Foundation, and details how all efforts support our common goals.
When you work at UCA, you’re a part of this larger community of forward-thinkers, entrepreneurs and medical professionals working together to provide accessible, patient-focused healthcare. Our small, nimble team is singularly dedicated to the advancement and long-term success of Urgent Care.
The Urgent Care Association (UCA) believes that hiring qualified individuals to fill positions contributes to the overall success of the association. Each employee is hired to make significant contributions to UCA, the Urgent Care Foundation (UCF) and/or the College of Urgent Care Medicine (CUCM). We value diversity of backgrounds, personalities and working preferences across the team. We strategically build inter- and intra-departmental collaboration time into our schedules every week to provide space for all voices and perspectives.