June 18, 2026

Headlines

Check Out the New Three-Part Monthly Series from Dean Hutchison of National Urgent Care Realty

This summer, the Urgent Care Association is featuring a three-part monthly series from Dean Hutchison of National Urgent Care Realty (NUCR), releasing in June, July, and August.

The series explores how the Urgent Care footprint across the United States is evolving and what it means for access, growth, and the future of care delivery. The June article is now available, with future installments to follow

What I’m Hearing from Employers: A Growing Opportunity for Urgent Care | NAHPC Summit Recap From Steve

Steve Sellars highlights a growing opportunity for Urgent Care following discussions at the NAHPC Summit, where employers expressed deep frustration with rising healthcare costs and inadequate access to primary care.

In response, many are adopting alternative models like onsite clinics and direct contracting to improve access and control spending. These shifts create a significant opportunity for Urgent Care, which employers already recognize as a convenient, cost-effective solution, positioning operators to expand partnerships and play a more strategic role in employer-sponsored healthcare.
 
Read the full recap below. 

JUCM Highlight: Prepare for Heat-Related Presentations in World Cup Cities

The JUCM article highlights that Urgent Care centers in 2026 World Cup host cities should prepare for a likely increase in visits related to heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. With matches taking place across 16 North American cities during peak summer months, a significant portion of games are expected to occur under high heat and humidity conditions, raising health risks for fans, workers and attendees.

In addition to heat illness, large crowds and event-related activity may also drive higher volumes of other patient presentations, such as injuries and cardiovascular events triggered by physical exertion or stress. Clinicians are encouraged to anticipate these trends, not only inside stadiums but also in surrounding areas where attendees may face prolonged heat exposure with limited access to water or medical support.

Read the full article below and subscribe to JUCM for more insightful articles. 

Point-of-Care Ultrasound for the Diagnosis of Pneumonia

POCUS is an accurate bedside tool for diagnosing pneumonia and often outperforms chest radiography, particularly for detecting peripheral lung consolidations.
 
The review highlights its advantages of rapid assessment, lack of radiation exposure, portability and usefulness in resource-limited settings. Characteristic findings include subpleural consolidations, dynamic air bronchograms, pleural line abnormalities and focal B-lines. Evidence suggests lung ultrasound has high sensitivity and specificity and can approach CT-level diagnostic performance in selected patients.

Two New Advocacy Alerts: Ohio & Illinois in Focus

Recently, we have issued two new Advocacy alerts in both Ohio and Illinois, highlighting important state-level developments impacting Urgent Care. These alerts reinforce the need for operators and leaders to stay informed and engaged as policy activity continues to evolve. Advocacy remains a top priority for UCA, with ongoing efforts to educate policymakers and advance policies that support access, quality and fair reimbursement. 

To learn more about these alerts and other key Advocacy initiatives, visit the Advocacy page and stay up to date on the issues shaping the future of Urgent Care.

UCA Affiliates

CAUCQ Program Recognition

Hartford-GoHealth Urgent Care

Hartford-GoHealth Urgent Care, which operates 40 centers across Connecticut, has earned Accreditation, Urgent Care Certification and the Antibiotic Stewardship Commendation, marking successful renewal.
This achievement is a testament to the organization’s hard work and disciplined focus on quality, highlighting the collective effort required to uphold clinical excellence, champion responsible antibiotic use and maintain consistent, high-performing operations systemwide.
 
Congratulations to Hartford-GoHealth Urgent Care!
 

UCSF-GoHealth Urgent Care

UCSF-GoHealth Urgent Care, serving 11 centers across California, has achieved Accreditation, Urgent Care Certification and the Antibiotic Stewardship Commendation, marking a successful renewal.
This outstanding accomplishment reflects a sustained commitment to excellence and recognizes the significant dedication, teamwork and operational rigor required to meet these high standards, demonstrating leadership in delivering safe, high-quality and responsible care across every location.
 
Congratulations to UCSF-GoHealth Urgent Care!

Introducing Exploring Innovation | A New Program Launches for CAUCQ Participants

Exploring Innovation: Futuring Quality is a new, exclusive benefit available only to CAUCQ program participants, designed to help you stay ahead in an evolving healthcare landscape.

This dynamic program connects you with emerging technologies, innovative practices and targeted education through structured learning and hands-on collaboration. Participants gain practical, evidence-informed strategies to improve quality, enhance safety, reduce risk and strengthen system performance. Most importantly, Exploring Innovation bridges the gap between ideas and implementation, empowering you to turn new knowledge into meaningful, real-world impact across your organization while advancing workforce well-being and high-quality patient care.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact the CAUCQ team. 

College of Urgent Care Medicine

2026 Ebola Outbreak Update: Cases Rise in Central Africa as U.S. Risk Remains Low

The latest situational report highlights ongoing Ebola activity caused by Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, with nearly 700 confirmed cases and over 130 confirmed deaths reported as of mid-June 2026. The outbreak, declared in May and designated a Public Health Emergency of International Concern shortly thereafter, continues to be concentrated in 29 affected health zones in the DRC and one district in Uganda. Investigations into additional cases are ongoing, and officials note that reported figures may continue to evolve as surveillance and data reconciliation efforts progress.

Despite the severity of the outbreak in affected regions, public health authorities emphasize that risk to the United States remains low, with no reported domestic cases to date. The CDC has strengthened preparedness efforts, including enhanced traveler screening and updated travel health notices advising caution for those visiting impacted areas. With no approved vaccines or targeted treatments currently available for this strain, response efforts are focused on containment, infection prevention, and coordinated international response to limit transmission and protect global health. 

The Latest Urgent Updates

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.

Webinars, Podcasts and Education

Solutions.Webinar | Urgent Care Virtual Summit 2026- Sponsored by TytoCare

Wednesday, June 24 | 10:00 a.m. CT

TytoCare is proud to host the Urgent Care Virtual Summit 2026, where industry experts will explore how innovative care delivery models and remote physical exams are helping urgent care organizations do more with less.