September 10, 2026
Last week, UCA Chief Executive Officer Steve Sellars attended and kicked off the inaugural Ohio Urgent Care Coalition Legislative Summit in Columbus.
The event brought together legislators, healthcare leaders and policy experts to discuss the issues impacting Urgent Care, and to explore opportunities for collaboration. This collaboration is a demonstration of what can happen when operators, brands and competitive interest come together around issues that matter to patients, employers, communities and the entire Urgent Care industry.
“Collaboration around issues like access, workforce, appropriate regulation and reimbursement makes all of us stronger.” – Steve Sellars, MBA
A full recap of the event will be shared in UCA’s Advocacy newsletter on Tuesday, September 15.
Great Urgent Care starts with exceptional people. That’s why UCA is excited to co-present the Staff Excellence Award with Experity at this year’s Limelight Awards. We want to recognize the individuals who go above and beyond to deliver outstanding patient care, elevate the patient experience and strengthen their teams every day.
This is your opportunity to shine a spotlight on the people who make Urgent Care exceptional.
Nominations are now open and must be submitted by October 15, 2026. Help recognize the unsung heroes of Urgent Care by nominating a deserving colleague today.
We’re excited to see the Southeast Regional Urgent Care Association (SERUCA) launch this valuable educational opportunity.
Join SERUCA’s free webinar, on Demystifying the Shoulder Exam on September 22. This free webinar will provide practical, real-world insights to help clinicians confidently assess and manage one of the most common musculoskeletal presentations in Urgent Care.
All are welcome to attend! Be sure to register and reserve your spot.
COVID-19 positivity rates are rising across the United States, reaching 4.6% as of August 22, according to CDC data, even as the FDA has approved four updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 vaccines targeting the XFG variant. The newly approved vaccines include formulations from Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Sanofi/Novavax, with eligibility focused on adults age 65 and older and individuals with certain high-risk conditions.
While the overall burden of serious COVID-related illness remains relatively low, public health experts are watching closely after last year’s late-summer surge saw positivity rates climb to 12%. The seasonal increase has prompted questions about whether another back-to-school spike could emerge in the coming weeks.
Join Urgent Care professionals from September 23 – 25 at the California Urgent Care Association’s (CalUCA) Western Regional Urgent Care Conference in Santa Ana, CA. This event brings together owners, operators, clinicians, marketers and industry partners for three days of education, networking and collaboration focused on the future of Urgent Care.
Attendees will gain actionable insights on clinical best practices, operational excellence, technology innovations, regulatory developments and emerging leadership strategies. Whether you’re looking to enhance patient care, strengthen your organization or build valuable industry connections, the Western Regional Conference offers an unmatched opportunity to learn from experts, share ideas and grow alongside peers who are shaping the industry.
Registration is open for the 2026 North East Regional Urgent Care Association (NERUCA) Conference from October 4 – 6 in Montville, CT. This is where Urgent Care owners, operators, clinicians and vendors will convene for an enriching experience focused on Urgent Care leadership and hands-on skills development.
This dynamic event aims to address pressing industry challenges while offering essential continuing medical education (CME) courses for providers.
Attendees will have ample networking opportunities to connect, share insights and explore collaborative solutions in the ever-evolving landscape of Urgent Care.
AFC Urgent Care Wichita has earned Accreditation, Urgent Care Certification, Occupational Health Certification, Antibiotic Stewardship Commendation and Specialty Training Commendation recognition for its center in Kansas.
This initial achievement reflects the organization’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and consistency in patient care. These distinctions highlight AFC Urgent Care Wichita’s dedication to exceptional patient experiences, clinical excellence and operational best practices.
AllMed Urgent Care, PC, serving three centers across New York, has successfully renewed its Accreditation and Urgent Care Certification.
This outstanding achievement reflects an ongoing commitment to excellence and highlights the dedication, collaboration and operational discipline required to uphold these high standards. This reinforces their position as a leader in delivering trusted, high-quality care while ensuring safety, consistency and accountability across all three locations.
The College of Urgent Care Medicine is proud to welcome Michael Stephens, MSN, AAS-EMTP, APRN, FNP-C, FCUCM, in our latest class of Fellows.
Michael brings a diverse healthcare background spanning emergency medical services, hospice care, home health and Urgent Care. Currently serving as a Nurse Practitioner and Lead APP for Pelican Urgent Care/Ochsner Health, he provides comprehensive care to patients of all ages while helping lead clinician recruitment, onboarding, quality improvement initiatives, staff development and clinical operations across multiple clinic locations.
Known for his strong leadership and dedication to clinical excellence, his career reflects a steadfast commitment to improving patient outcomes, supporting colleagues and advancing the role of advanced practice clinicians within Urgent Care.
We congratulate Michael Stephens, MSN, AAS-EMTP, APRN, FNP-C, FCUCM on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to his continued contributions to the specialty of Urgent Care.
The College of Urgent Care Medicine is proud to welcome Huai Lee Phen, MD, FCUCM, in our latest class of Fellows.
Dr. Phen is a board-certified Family Medicine physician, USAF Flight Surgeon, educator and Urgent Care leader whose career spans clinical care, academic medicine and military service. As a Staff Physician with Northwell Health GoHealth Urgent Care and Core Faculty member for the GoHealth Urgent Care Fellowship Program, he combines clinical excellence with a passion for mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals.
In addition to his contributions to Urgent Care and academic medicine, Dr. Phen serves as a Flight Surgeon Captain in the United States Air Force Reserve, providing aeromedical readiness evaluations and operational medical support for military aircrew. His unique combination of clinical, academic and military experience exemplifies the leadership, service and excellence recognized through Fellowship.
We congratulate Huai Lee Phen, MD, FCUCM on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to his continued contributions to the advancement of Urgent Care medicine.
The College of Urgent Care Medicine is proud to welcome Scott A. Fiorini, DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-EM, RT(R)(ARRT), FCUCM, in our latest class of Fellows.
A board-certified Physician Associate with more than a decade of experience in emergency medicine, Urgent Care, occupational medicine and diagnostic imaging, Scott has built a distinguished career centered on clinical excellence, provider development and quality improvement. His unique background combines advanced clinical training with expertise in medical imaging, occupational health and emergency medicine, allowing him to deliver comprehensive, evidence-based patient care across a variety of healthcare settings.
Throughout his career, Scott has served in numerous leadership and educational roles, including Advanced Practice Provider Director, APP and Physician Scheduling Coordinator, and Primary Clinical Preceptor. A passionate mentor and educator, he has helped shape the development of future healthcare professionals while promoting best practices in clinical care.
We congratulate Scott A. Fiorini, DMSc, PA-C, CAQ-EM, RT(R)(ARRT), FCUCM on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to his continued contributions to the future of Urgent Care medicine.
Interested in becoming a Fellow? Learn more 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.
Tuesday, September 15 | 11 am – 12 pm CT
More healthcare organizations are exploring voice AI, but figuring out where to start can be tricky. This session is a chance to understand how the technology works, see where it’s already being used, and learn what to consider before making an investment.
Join Teresa Asma, COO at Solv, and Kapeesh Saraf, CPO at Solv, for a 45-minute session on what voice AI looks like in practice, with insights from more than 1 million patient calls, real call examples, and a look at where the technology is headed next.
Learning Objectives:
Wednesday, September 30 | 2 pm – 3 pm CT
Who is this session for:
Urgent Care owners and decision makers who want strategies for DME and bracing profitability – either by cost avoidance or by revenue generation; in order to improve financial performance without increasing administrative load.
Conversation highlights:
Featured speakers:
Urgent Insights are timely conversations impacting the business of Urgent Care.
This session is sponsored by Enovis as part of the UCA Urgent Insights series. Urgent Insights is a sponsored educational discussion facilitated by the Urgent Care Association (UCA). Sponsorship and participation do not constitute endorsement by UCA of any company, product, service, recommendation, position, or viewpoint expressed during the session. Opinions, data, and recommendations shared by speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of UCA.
Tuesday, October 13 | 12 pm – 1 pm CT
Human trafficking can go unnoticed in healthcare environments, even when professionals are in a position to observe potential indicators. Save the date for Human Trafficking: The Crime Hidden in Plain Sight, a UCA webinar featuring Thomas Ruck. Participants will explore potential indicators, appropriate response strategies, reporting considerations and ways to increase team and organizational preparedness.