July 30, 2026
UCA recently convened members of the Clinical Advisory Group, Strategic Advisory Group and Delegates Council in Washington, D.C., for The Assembly, our annual thought leadership event focused on advancing the future of Urgent Care.
Throughout the weekend, participants collaborated on key clinical initiatives, developed practical resources for implementation, explored emerging trends in virtual care and quality, strengthened Delegate leadership and Advocacy efforts and discussed critical issues affecting the field, including workforce development, employer engagement, reimbursement and healthcare policy.
Featuring perspectives from national healthcare leaders and policymakers, The Assembly reinforced UCA’s commitment to bringing together experts from across the field to develop solutions, share best practices and drive meaningful progress for Urgent Care patients, clinicians and operators.
UCA extends its gratitude to the presenters, attendees and sponsors whose contributions made this year’s event a success.
UCA’s Industry Perspectives series brings practical ideas, trends and insights from companies working alongside you in the Urgent Care space.
This issue spotlights OraSure Technologies’ article, Why urgent care is losing STI revenue and how rapid testing keeps it in- house, challenging Urgent Care leaders to rethink sexual health testing as a year-round service line, not simply a send-out testing workflow.
Industry Perspectives are sponsored content.
Co-authored by CUCM Board President Lindsey Fish, MD, FCUCM, a new study published in the Journal of Urgent Care Medicine found that implementing a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) program in Urgent Care can reduce transfers to the emergency department and streamline patient care.
Researchers evaluated patient visits before and after providers completed a focused POCUS training course and found a significant decrease in ED transfers for soft tissue and musculoskeletal complaints. The study adds to the growing body of evidence that equipping Urgent Care clinicians with ultrasound skills can improve efficiency, enhance patient outcomes and help patients receive more definitive care without leaving the Urgent Care setting.
As families spend more time outdoors this summer, now is the perfect time to revisit an earlier episode of Inside Urgent Care.
In Episode 2, “Pediatrics & Summertime Safety,” we sit down with Lynda Gerberg, MD, to discuss common summer health concerns, including injury prevention, heat-related illness, water safety and other seasonal risks facing children. The episode offers practical insights and timely reminders to help clinicians and parents keep kids safe, healthy and enjoying the season.
The latest UCA Advocacy newsletter highlights key developments affecting Urgent Care at both the federal and state levels.
Get an update on the Calendar Year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule and UCA’s ongoing efforts to advance reimbursement priorities. You’ll also find takeaways from The Assembly, details on the launch of the Bring Congress to Urgent Care initiative and the latest progress of the PA Licensure Compact.
Plus, see how members and regional chapters are helping ensure Urgent Care’s voice is heard through grassroots Advocacy and local engagement efforts.
UCA members have exclusive access to a turnkey toolkit for hosting lawmakers at their Urgent Care centers during the August recess. The toolkit includes invitation templates, talking points, planning guidance and follow-up resources.
What you need to know:
Why now?
August is one of the best times to host a visit because Members of Congress spend more time in their home districts meeting with constituents.
Need help getting started?
Access the toolkit or contact UCA’s Advocacy Department for support.
The College of Urgent Care Medicine (CUCM) and the Urgent Care College of Physicians (UCCOP) affirms that clinician productivity in Urgent Care should be defined using a balanced, multidimensional framework that incorporates patient volume, clinical quality, patient safety, patient complexity, documentation requirements and operational resources.
The College of Urgent Care Medicine is proud to welcome 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿, 𝗗𝗡𝗣, 𝗡𝗣, 𝗠𝗦𝗡-𝗘𝗱, 𝗠𝗕𝗔-𝗛𝗖𝗠, 𝗙𝗡𝗣-𝗕𝗖, 𝗔𝗣𝗥𝗡, 𝗙𝗖𝗨𝗖𝗠, in our latest class of Fellows.
Dr. Berger brings more than 15 years of healthcare experience spanning clinical practice, education, leadership and quality improvement. Her expertise includes Urgent Care medicine, telehealth and interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition to her clinical accomplishments, she serves as an academic faculty member dedicated to student success, clinical excellence and the advancement of evidence-based practice.
Through her leadership, commitment to patient care and passion for developing the next generation of healthcare professionals, Dr. Berger exemplifies the values of the College and the Fellowship distinction. We congratulate 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗶 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿, 𝗗𝗡𝗣, 𝗡𝗣, 𝗠𝗦𝗡-𝗘𝗱, 𝗠𝗕𝗔-𝗛𝗖𝗠, 𝗙𝗡𝗣-𝗕𝗖, 𝗔𝗣𝗥𝗡, 𝗙𝗖𝗨𝗖𝗠, on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to her continued contributions as an ambassador for the specialty of Urgent Care.
The College of Urgent Care Medicine is proud to welcome David Wood, PA-C, EMBA, FCUCM, in our latest class of Fellows.
David is the President and Founder of Kittitas Valley Urgent Care and Yakima Valley Urgent Care in Washington state, where he leads a multi-clinic organization focused on delivering accessible, evidence-based care. Throughout his career, he has provided care across Urgent Care, emergency medicine, primary care, hospital medicine and rural healthcare settings, bringing a broad and unique perspective to patient care and healthcare operations.
In addition to his clinical accomplishments, David is a respected educator, speaker and advocate for the Physician Assistant profession. He has served as President of the Washington Academy of Physician Assistants and as a Teaching Associate for the University of Washington’s MEDEX program, helping to mentor and develop future healthcare leaders. His expertise in clinical practice, operational excellence, leadership development, provider recruitment, patient experience, and quality improvement has made him a recognized voice in the Urgent Care community.
David’s dedication to advancing high-quality, patient-centered care and strengthening the future of Urgent Care exemplifies the values of the College and the Fellowship distinction. We congratulate David Wood, PA-C, MBA, FCUCM, on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to his continued contributions to the specialty.
The College of Urgent Care Medicine is proud to welcome Neal M. Shipley, MD, MBA, FACEP, FCUCM, in our latest class of Fellows.
Dr. Shipley is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician, healthcare executive, educator and nationally recognized Urgent Care leader. He currently serves as Chief Medical Officer and Medical Director for Northwell Health-GoHealth Urgent Care, where he provides clinical and operational leadership across more than 60 Urgent Care centers and a workforce of approximately 1,500 employees. Throughout his distinguished career, he has transformed healthcare delivery through innovative programs, quality initiatives and patient-centered improvements that have strengthened clinical operations and enhanced patient outcomes.
His accomplishments include launching a UCA-accredited Fellowship training program, leading an award-winning antibiotic stewardship initiative, creating provider development programs and championing healthcare equality efforts. In 2025, he was recognized with UCA’s Outstanding Achievement in Urgent Care Award, further underscoring his impact on the specialty.
Dr. Shipley’s commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, education and leadership embodies the values of the College and the Fellowship distinction. We congratulate Neal M. Shipley, MD, MBA, FACEP, FCUCM, on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to his continued contributions to the future of Urgent Care medicine.
If you are interested in becoming a Fellow, please use the link below.
Urgent Updates are curated highlights of guidelines, reviewed by (and some directly coming from) Urgent Care clinicians. These highlights represent the actual intent of these articles and how they relate to the practice of Urgent Care medicine.
Before back-to-school season begins, ensure your Urgent Care center is prepared for peak influenza season with proven protocols and best practices.
This resource provides actionable steps to streamline workflows, protect patients and staff and maintain compliance with infection control standards.