MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of CSL Limited (ASX:CSL; USOTC:CSLLY) today announces that it has appointed Deborah Waterhouse as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of CSL from 1 February 2027. The appointment was made following an extensive global search process conducted by CSL's Board of Directors. 

Ms Waterhouse is a proven commercial leader with more than 25 years' experience managing complex global specialty pharma companies across the U.S., the U.K., continental Europe and Australia.  

Since 2017 Ms Waterhouse has been the CEO of ViiV Healthcare, a joint venture majority owned by GSK with Shionogi as a shareholder. ViiV is a leading specialist in HIV and had sales of £7.7 billion during GSK's 2025 financial year[i]. Additionally, Ms Waterhouse serves as the President of GSK Global Health.

Ms Waterhouse has previously led GSK's U.S. vaccines business and its U.S. Primary Care business and has held several other senior executive positions, including GSK's General Manager for Australia and New Zealand between 2008 and 2012.

CSL Chair Dr Brian McNamee said, "In February this year we said CSL's next chief executive would need the ability to continue the momentum of our commercial performance, renew our pipeline and simplify our operations without losing the science and purpose that built this great company. Deborah has done all those things on multiple occasions. Deborah is an outstanding global leader with a proven ability to grow complex businesses."

"She has grown a focused biopharmaceutical business and renewed the franchise at ViiV by driving the development and commercialisation of the next generation of medicines to support patients. She knows the United States, she knows Australia and she knows how to build pipelines and manage partnerships. A world-class and purpose-driven executive, she is the right person to lead CSL in its next chapter of growth. The Board's decision to appoint Deborah was unanimous."

Ms Waterhouse said, "CSL is one of the great companies in our industry, and I saw what it means to Australia when I lived and worked in Melbourne. Its people save lives every day, from the staff who collect plasma at the donation centres to the scientists and operators who develop and manufacture the medicines and vaccines. The foundations are strong. My job is to continue the momentum and evolve the path into reliable growth for patients and shareholders."

Ms Waterhouse will retain her base in the U.K. She will spend significant time in Australia, the U.S. and in CSL's major markets and operational centres. Gordon Naylor will continue as Interim CEO and Managing Director until 1 February 2027. He will conduct an appropriate transition with Ms Waterhouse and will resume his role on the Board as a non-Executive Director. 

A biography for Ms Waterhouse is set out in Attachment 1.

The key components of Ms Waterhouse's employment contract, including her remuneration structure, effective from 1 February 2027 are set out in Attachment 2.

Authorised for lodgement by:

Fiona Mead

Company Secretary

Attachment 1: 

Career Summary for Ms Waterhouse

Attachment 2:

Key Employment Terms for Ms Waterhouse

[i] According to GSK's FY25 accounts

SOURCE CSL

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Respiratory Adverse Events of Weight-Loss Drugs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled 123 studies evaluating respiratory adverse events of weight-loss drugs largely in general populations, with only one study specific to asthma patients. Liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide, and naltrexone-bupropion showed no increased respiratory adverse events versus placebo, though nasopharyngitis and upper respiratory infections were common across drugs regardless of dose. Overall trial quality was rated low risk of bias, but evidence specific to asthmatic patients remains sparse, limiting firm conclusions for that subgroup. Urgent Care clinical implications: There was no evidence of increased respiratory harm associated with weight-loss drugs compared with placebo, suggesting a reassuring respiratory safety profile in the general population. However, evidence specifically focused on individuals with asthma remains limited. Full Access: Annals of the American Thoracic Society

Reliability of Physical Examination Findings in Youths Diagnosed With Pneumonia

A national PECARN-affiliated study led by Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago examined 252 children diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia in emergency departments and found substantial disagreement between examiners on key auscultatory findings, including crackles, decreased breath sounds, and rhonchi. This mirrors earlier work (Florin et al., 2017) showing only fair-to-moderate interrater reliability for most CAP exam findings, with just wheezing, retractions, and respiratory rate reaching acceptable agreement. The authors conclude that physical exam alone is often insufficient to confidently diagnose pediatric pneumonia, reinforcing the value of adjunctive data. Urgent Care clinical implications: Current guidelines, including those from the Infectious Diseases Society of America, recommend that clinicians rely on physical examination findings to diagnose pediatric CAP in outpatient settings. However, the substantial variability in how these findings are recognized across clinicians suggests that use of auscultatory findings alone is not a reliable method for diagnosing CAP in youths. Full Access: JAMA

Whole-Blood Point-Of-Care Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L1 Biomarkers After Traumatic Brain Injury in the US: A Prospective Diagnostic Prediction of Intracranial Injury on Head CT

This prospective, multicenter regulatory trial showed biomarkers have a 96.5% sensitivity and 96.5% negative predictive value for detecting traumatic intracranial CT abnormalities, with a 3.5% false negative rate, and none of the false negatives required neurosurgical intervention. Specificity was lower at 40.3%, and all 14 lesions requiring potential neurosurgical intervention were correctly flagged as “elevated” by the test. The biomarkers are FDA-approved and now included in the ACS Trauma Quality Program 2024 Best Practices Guidelines for reducing unnecessary CT imaging. Urgent Care clinical implications: A negative point-of-care GFAP/UCH-L1 result (within 12–24h of injury) can support safely deferring head CT and considering outpatient management/referral for a stable mild-TBI patient (GCS 15), while an elevated result still warrants ED referral for imaging given the test’s low specificity (high false-positive rate). Full Access: The Lancet

FDA Authorizes Avulux Lens for Migraine-Related Light Sensitivity

The FDA granted De Novo marketing authorization to Avulux, an optical filtering lens for patients 12 and older with episodic migraine-associated light sensitivity — the first FDA-recognized device class in this category. Unlike traditional sunglasses, the lenses selectively filter light at 480nm (high blue) and 590nm (red/amber) wavelengths linked to triggering or worsening migraine attacks, while letting the rest of the visible spectrum through. It’s intended as a nonpharmacologic adjunct to standard migraine care, not a replacement, and is available over the counter. Urgent Care clinical implications: For patients presenting with acute migraine and prominent photophobia, this offers a low-risk, non-drug adjunct clinicians can mention alongside standard abortive therapy — but evidence for direct pain relief is modest and it shouldn’t delay or substitute for appropriate pharmacologic treatment, especially in moderate-to-severe attacks. Full Access: MRP

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.

September 24, 2026

For years, our Annual Convention has brought together Urgent Care clinicians, operators, executives and industry partners to learn, connect and grow.

We’re excited to introduce an experience that better reflects what this gathering has become:

𝗨𝗖𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 | 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭 – 𝟰

Why Convergence? Because this event is 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. It’s where operators, clinicians, executives, and industry partners 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲.

At UCA Convergence, your experience is built around your goals:

While some things have changed, our commitment remains the same: bringing together the Urgent Care community to learn, lead and elevate our field.

𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲

𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵, 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮 | 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟭-𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗨𝗖𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿.

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.

A study highlighted in the Journal of Urgent Care Medicine explored how computer use during patient visits impacts the patient experience. The findings suggest that while electronic health records are essential to care delivery, the way clinicians use computers in the exam room can influence patient perceptions of communication, engagement and overall satisfaction.

For Urgent Care clinicians, the takeaway is clear: maintaining eye contact, explaining how technology supports care and balancing screen time with patient interaction can help preserve the personal connection patients value. As technology continues to play a larger role in healthcare, thoughtful exam room communication remains a key driver of patient satisfaction and trust.

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.

Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care has successfully renewed its Accreditation, Urgent Care Certification and Antibiotic Stewardship Commendation across 42 centers serving Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

This achievement demonstrates Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and consistency in patient care. By renewing these distinguished recognitions, the organization continues to showcase its dedication to clinical excellence, exceptional patient experiences, operational best practices and continuous improvement across its growing network of centers.

Walk In MD Clinic Urgent Care has successfully renewed its Accreditation, Urgent Care Certification, Occupational Health Certification and Antibiotic Stewardship Commendation across its two centers in Massachusetts.

You’ll walk away with:

Don’t forget: Accredited and Certified centers with the current Standards Manual receive a $500 registration discount.

Whether you’re preparing for your first survey or looking to strengthen your Accreditation efforts, this workshop delivers the guidance, resources and support you need to move forward with confidence.

Seats are filling quickly. Secure your place today before registration reaches capacity.

Looking for practical strategies to improve STI care in the Urgent Care setting?

In collaboration with Roche, we are proud to offer 𝗦𝗧𝗜 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲, an on-demand educational resource designed for those seeking actionable approaches to screening, testing, treatment and patient engagement.

Explore expert insights, real-world considerations and strategies you can apply in practice at your convenience.

Thank you to all the Nurse Practitioners and Physician Associates who bring expertise, compassion and excellence to Urgent Care every day. Your dedication helps deliver high-quality care to countless patients and communities across the country.

Looking to connect with fellow APCs, share insights and grow your impact in Urgent Care? Join the 𝗔𝗣𝗖 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 (𝗦𝗜𝗚) and become part of a dedicated community of NPs and PAs shaping the future of the specialty.

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, October 6 | 11 am – 12 pm CT

Join Vertex’s expert-led discussion on a treatment for acute pain in adults. Explore the product’s clinical trial results and learn how to identify patients who may benefit from this treatment.

Wednesday, October 7 | 12 pm – 1 pm CT

M&A can be a powerful path to growth, but why would you ever walk away from a clinic with strong revenue and positive patient reviews?

Carbon Health co-founder Caesar Djavaherian shares lessons from the company’s M&A journey, including what operators should examine before a deal, the chart-level signals that can reveal risks to revenue quality, and the assumptions that often lead buyers in the wrong direction.

Join us on October 7 to learn how Carbon Health built greater oversight into its M&A process and what Caesar would evaluate first knowing what he knows now.

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.

Pediatric Asthma Flares Rise After School Resumes

Pediatric asthma flares spike sharply once school starts, with a French 2025 dataset showing the peak hitting in week two of the new term — ED visits jumped 135% and urgent home-care calls rose 111%. Drivers include increased exposure to respiratory viruses, allergens, and indoor pollutants, combined with interruptions in controller treatment during summer break. Classroom exposure to VOCs and formaldehyde, plus irregular or skipped maintenance medication over the summer, compound the risk. Urgent Care Clinical implications: Clinicians should review each child’s asthma control, confirm inhaler technique, and update their written action plan. Push flu vaccination early so protection kicks in before viral season ramps up — clinician recommendation remains one of the biggest levers for parent uptake. Full Access: Medscape

Fertility Treatments and the Risk of Kawasaki Disease Among Offspring

This nationwide Japanese birth cohort study found that fertility treatments were linked to a higher risk of Kawasaki disease before age 5. Compared with spontaneous conception, ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination and IVF all raised risk by roughly 40–60%, while ICSI showed no increased risk. Researchers suspect the hormonal and epigenetic effects of ovarian stimulation and lab-based fertilization may drive this. Urgent Care Clinical implications: Urgent Care clinicians should ask about conception history when evaluating a young child for possible Kawasaki. Full Access: JAMA

Gestational Hypertension Has Increased, Affecting 1 in 10 Pregnancies

A CDC report analyzing US birth certificate data from 2016–2024 found that gestational hypertension rates jumped 73%, from 6% to 10.4% of pregnancies. That’s a rise from roughly 236,000 to over 377,000 cases a year. The increase was seen broadly across the population, not just in specific subgroups. Experts link the trend to rising rates of obesity, gestational diabetes and older maternal age at pregnancy. Urgent Care Clinical implications: Urgent Care clinicians seeing pregnant patients should screening BP during every visit, even in low-risk visits and should refer urgently for signs suggesting progression to preeclampsia. Full Access: JAMA

Are E-Scooters More Dangerous Than Motorcycles and Bicycles?

This UK study compared e-scooter, motorcycle and pedal-cycle trauma using national registry data (2020–22) and rental operator data (33M+ rides). E-scooter riders had over 3x the risk of traumatic brain injury and vascular trauma compared to motorcyclists, plus higher internal organ injury risk—though fewer fractures. Helmet use was rare (under 6%), kids made up a disproportionate injury share, and women faced higher injury severity. Crash rates tracked with local deprivation, while injuries were more severe in wealthier areas. Urgent Care Clinical implications: Urgent Care clinicians should consider a lower threshold for imaging in e-scooter trauma given the outsized TBI and abdominal/vascular injury burden, even without an obvious fracture. Ask about helmet use and counsel accordingly, especially with pediatric and female patients. Full Access: Nature

Cefepime and Mortality—A Dosing Problem, Not a Drug Problem

A meta-analysis of 110 trials found cefepime linked to higher 30-day mortality than other β-lactams, most clearly in adults, febrile neutropenia or severe infections, and at higher doses. That conflicts with the FDA’s earlier finding of no added risk. The authors and an accompanying commentary still don’t recommend dropping the drug. They call all-cause mortality a blunt outcome in critically ill patients, and suggest the deaths may reflect under- or overexposure rather than the drug itself. Cefepime’s safety margin is narrower than that of other β-lactams, so dosing matters. Urgent Care clinical implications: This shouldn’t change practice for typical Urgent Care use, but dose cefepime carefully for renal function and watch for neurotoxicity (confusion, myoclonus) in older adults. Full Access: JAMA

Infant Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Childhood Asthma: A Nationwide Registry-Based, Sibling-Controlled, And Genome-Wide Association Study

Researchers combined Finnish registry data on nearly 1 million children with Nordic genetic cohorts to ask whether severe infant RSV causes childhood asthma or just flags kids already prone to it. Children hospitalized with RSV in their first year had about 3.7 times the risk of later recurrent wheeze or asthma, and the link held in sibling comparisons. Unaffected siblings also had about double the usual rate, so family susceptibility plays a part too. RSV-related wheeze started earlier, needed more inhaled steroids at ages 1–2, faded after age 5, and came with lower eosinophils, which suggests a more transient, less allergic pattern. Urgent Care Clinical implications: Expect early, non-allergic wheeze in children with a history of RSV hospitalization, and reassess the need for controller therapy over time rather than assuming lifelong asthma. Ask about infant RSV history, and reassure families that many of these children improve by school age. Full Access: The Lancet

Most Americans Know How to Control Mosquitoes; Many Unsure How to Use Insect Repellent

A new Annenberg survey found that most people know the basics: 82% say preventing bites and controlling mosquitoes at home is the best defense against West Nile and dengue, and 64% routinely take precautions. Knowledge of how to use repellent is much weaker. Only 31% know to apply sunscreen first and repellent second, 15% know repellent shouldn’t go under clothing, and 18% know to look for an EPA-registered product. Only 16% worry about catching one of these diseases, and 56% can’t identify West Nile symptoms. The CDC has reported 504 human West Nile cases in 41 states so far this year, 363 of them neuroinvasive. Urgent Care Clinical implications: Clinicians should counsel on repellent: EPA-registered products, sunscreen first, nothing under clothing, none for infants under 2 months. Keep West Nile on the differential for febrile or neurologic presentations during mosquito season, since patients often won’t connect their symptoms to a bite. Full Access: APCC

Nationwide Increase in Reported Human Rabies Exposures: Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis Administration

CDC issued a Health Advisory on September 10 about a nationwide rise in rabies exposures and errors in post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Rabies inquiries to CDC were up 17% in July and August compared with last year, and use of rabies vaccine and HRIG rose about 33% and 76%. Supplies are fine, but mistakes lead to unnecessary treatment, adverse effects, and cost. The most common errors are gluteal vaccine injections, poor HRIG infiltration of wounds, mixing HRIG and vaccine in one syringe or site, and giving HRIG to previously vaccinated patients. Urgent Care Clinical implications: Do a careful risk assessment before starting PEP, check prior vaccination and immune status, and call your health department. Full Access: CDC

October 8, 2026

Each year, National PA Week provides an opportunity to recognize the remarkable contributions Physician Associates (PAs) make to patient care across the healthcare industry. In Urgent Care, their impact is especially significant.

PAs are often among the first healthcare professionals patients encounter when seeking care for illnesses, injuries and unexpected health concerns. Their clinical expertise, adaptability and commitment to patient-centered care help ensure patients receive timely, high-quality treatment when they need it most.

Beyond direct patient care, many PAs serve as leaders, educators, mentors and advocates within the Urgent Care profession. Their contributions help shape clinical best practices, support workforce development and strengthen the future of healthcare delivery.

During National PA Week, UCA proudly celebrates the Physician Associates whose dedication, compassion and expertise make a lasting difference every day. Thank you for the care you provide, the lives you impact and your commitment to advancing the Urgent Care profession.

Behind every great Urgent Care center are team members who go the extra mile. UCA and Experity are proud to recognize those remarkable individuals through the Staff Excellence Award at this year’s Limelight Awards.

If someone on your team consistently demonstrates excellence in patient care, teamwork and service, now is the time to give them the recognition they deserve. The nomination deadline is October 15, 2026. Don’t miss the opportunity to shine a spotlight on an outstanding colleague. Submit your nomination today.

The UCA Convergence 2027 Call for Proposals is now open, and we invite clinicians, operators, executives, educators, researchers, innovators, advocates and industry partners to help create an engaging and impactful learning experience for our community.

We’re looking for practical, credible and engaging contributions that help attendees:

We’re seeking contributors who can share real-world lessons, actionable strategies and practical solutions that attendees can immediately apply.

Important Dates

Submit your proposal by November 15.

As vaccine hesitancy continues to influence pediatric healthcare, a recent study examined the attitudes of families seeking care in Urgent Care centers. Researchers found that concerns about vaccine safety, effectiveness and necessity remain common, underscoring the ongoing challenges clinicians face when discussing immunizations with parents and caregivers.

The findings highlight the important role Urgent Care clinicians can play in building trust, addressing misinformation and supporting informed decision-making. By understanding the factors that contribute to vaccine hesitancy, clinicians can strengthen patient conversations and help improve confidence in recommended childhood vaccinations.

Ottehr is a revolutionary EHR for Urgent Care practices.

Our AI-enabled platform bundles all of the most important features – Ambient Scribe, AI-assisted charting/coding/billing, RCM support – into one low monthly fee on one platform.

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UCA’s Industry Perspectives series brings practical ideas, trends and insights from companies working alongside you in the Urgent Care space.

This issue spotlights bioMérieux’s video resource (60-min watch), Pathogen Surveillance Today: Why It Matters and Where We Need to Go (Episode 1), which explores how stronger surveillance, connected data sources and modernized reporting can help healthcare organizations improve situational awareness, identify emerging threats faster and make more informed operational and clinical decisions.

Industry Perspectives are sponsored content.

The College of Urgent Care Medicine is proud to welcome Lindsay Bishop, MSN, APRN, FNP, FCUCM, in our latest class of Fellows.

An experienced Nurse Practitioner and clinical leader, Lindsay has built an impressive career spanning Urgent Care, occupational medicine, clinical operations, quality improvement and clinician development. Throughout her career, she has successfully bridged frontline patient care with strategic leadership, helping organizations improve clinical performance, enhance quality and patient safety and strengthen clinician engagement and development.

Lindsay’s ability to connect organizational strategy with the realities of frontline care exemplifies the leadership, innovation and dedication recognized through Fellowship. We congratulate Lindsay Bishop, FCUCM, on this well-deserved achievement and welcome her as the newest Fellow of the College of Urgent Care Medicine

The College of Urgent Care Medicine is proud to welcome Christina Helsby Ray, MMSc, PA-C, FCUCM, in our latest class of Fellows.

Christina is an accomplished healthcare executive and clinical leader whose career has been dedicated to strengthening clinical operations, clinician development, quality improvement and patient care across the Urgent Care setting.

A collaborative and forward-thinking leader, Christina has played a key role in fostering strong partnerships between clinical teams, healthcare systems and operational leaders. Her dedication to clinical excellence, workforce development and innovation has helped shape the future of Urgent Care while maintaining a steadfast commitment to patient-centered care.

We congratulate Christina Helsby Ray, MMSc, PA-C, FCUCM, on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to her continued contributions to advancing Urgent Care medicine.

The College of Urgent Care Medicine is proud to welcome Colleen Marzilli, PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, PHNA-BC, CNE, MedSurg-BC, CCM, FCUCM, in our latest class of Fellows.

Dr. Marzilli’s career reflects a remarkable dedication to healthcare leadership, nursing advocacy, academic excellence and patient care. An accomplished academic leader, Dr. Marzilli has served in faculty and program leadership roles, helping to develop innovative educational programs, support student success and advance evidence-based practice.

In addition to her academic and leadership accomplishments, Dr. Marzilli remains actively engaged in clinical practice, providing care across Urgent Care, primary care and emergency settings. Her commitment to quality improvement, clinician education, patient-centered care and professional advocacy has made a lasting impact on both the nursing profession and the communities she serves.

Through her leadership, scholarship, clinical excellence and dedication to developing future healthcare leaders, Dr. Marzilli exemplifies the values recognized through Fellowship. We congratulate Colleen Marzilli, PhD, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, PHNA-BC, CNE, MedSurg-BC, CCM, FCUCM, on this well-deserved achievement and celebrate the impact she continues to make across clinical practice, academia and healthcare leadership.

If you are interested in becoming a Fellow, use the link below.

When it comes to diagnostic testing, the right decision can have a significant impact on patient care, operational efficiency and your bottom line.

𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘄𝗮𝗯: 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 explores the real-world considerations behind building an effective testing strategy in Urgent Care. This on-demand course covers topics including CLIA-waived versus CLIA-moderate testing, common pitfalls, platform selection, reimbursement considerations, clinician education and more.

You’ll gain practical insights to help strengthen diagnostic decision-making and optimize testing in your center.

Explore this free resource and elevate your testing strategy

The College of Urgent Care Medicine (CUCM) and the Urgent Care College of Physicians (UCCOP) were proud to participate in this year’s Royal New Zealand College of Urgent Care (RNZCUC) Bootcamp and Fellowship Ceremony — an event made even more meaningful as RNZCUC marked its 25th year of Urgent Care’s recognition as a specialty. The occasion underscored the growing international momentum behind Urgent Care as a distinct clinical field.

A highlight of the program was a panel discussion on the global perspective of Urgent Care, featuring CUCM/UCCOP’s immediate past president Dr. Cesar Jaramillo and past president Dr. Chris Chao, Journal of Urgent Care Medicine’s (JUCM) Editor-in-Chief and CUCM/UCCOP President Dr. Lindsey Fish, and the Urgent Care Association’s President Dr. Cassandra Donnelly, alongside guests representing other countries. The conversation offered a rare side-by-side look at how Urgent Care is developing across different health systems, and where international colleges can learn from, support and collaborate with one another.

On the clinical education side, Dr. Chao delivered a well-received presentation, “Right Test, Right Patient, Right Time: Point-of-Care Testing for Respiratory Infections in Urgent Care,” sharing practical, evidence-based guidance for frontline Urgent Care clinicians.

The CUCM/UCCOP team also attended the Fellowship Ceremony, celebrating RNZCUC’s newest fellows, and took part in a research network workshop aimed at building collaborative infrastructure for Urgent Care research. JUCM’s continued participation added to a strong multi-organization presence at the event.

CUCM/UCCOP shared updates on the Colleges’ work and strategic planning, and explored avenues for future collaboration with international partners. The energy in the room was contagious; colleagues from around the world engaged deeply with topics directly shaping the future of Urgent Care practice, united by shared goals and a shared commitment to high-quality care.

Moments like this remind us why international representation matters so deeply to our specialty. Urgent Care looks different in every health system, and every delegation that crosses an ocean to sit at the same table brings back perspective, expertise and relationships that no single country could build alone.

Steve Sellars, Chief Executive Officer

For much of Urgent Care’s history, convenience was our calling card. Walk-in access, extended hours, seven-day availability, and locations close to where people live and work changed what patients expected from healthcare. Convenience helped build this field, but it won’t be the only thing defining our future.

Last month, I wrote about the forces reshaping healthcare: growing challenges with primary care access, rising costs, pressure on emergency departments, and employers searching for better ways to connect their workforce with affordable care. Those challenges create an enormous opportunity for Urgent Care, but they also ask more of us.

The next evolution of Urgent Care is about becoming an even stronger healthcare partner. That starts with recognizing what we do, and what we don’t do. Urgent Care isn’t a replacement for primary care. Patients need longitudinal relationships with primary care clinicians, particularly for chronic disease management and preventive care. Hospitals and emergency departments remain essential for patients requiring higher-acuity services. But between those settings is an enormous and growing need for timely, high-quality and affordable, everyday healthcare. That’s where Urgent Care excels.

Each day, approximately half a million patients turn to Urgent Care. Our clinicians evaluate illnesses and injuries, perform diagnostic testing, provide occupational health services, identify conditions requiring higher levels of care, and help patients determine what should happen next. That last part is increasingly important.

Being the front door to everyday healthcare isn’t simply about treating the patient in front of us. It’s about helping that patient move appropriately through a very complicated healthcare system. Imagine the opportunity when an Urgent Care visit more seamlessly connects a patient back to primary care, helps a health system avoid unnecessary emergency department utilization, gives an employer’s workforce faster access to appropriate care, or identifies a patient who needs more specialized treatment. In that model, our value extends beyond the individual visit.

For clinicians, this evolution reinforces the importance of clinical excellence, appropriate referrals, care coordination, and practicing at the top of our capabilities.

For operators, it creates opportunities to build stronger relationships with health systems, employers, payers, and other healthcare partners.

It also requires us to demonstrate our value. Access matters, but increasingly, our partners will expect evidence of quality, outcomes, appropriate utilization, patient experience, and cost. That’s why UCA’s work around Advocacy, benchmarking, quality standards, industry data, and initiatives like the Bring Congress to Urgent Care campaign is so important. Through that campaign, we’re inviting policymakers into our centers to see firsthand the quality, access, and value Urgent Care delivers to patients, communities, and the broader healthcare system. Together, these efforts help build the credibility required for Urgent Care to assume a larger role in healthcare delivery.

That credibility, and the relationships that support it, will be increasingly important moving forward. The organizations that thrive won’t simply be those that see the most patients or operate the most centers. They will be those that understand how Urgent Care fits into the larger healthcare ecosystem and build relationships that make the entire system work better.

We should be proud that convenience helped establish Urgent Care. Now we have an opportunity to build on it. Our next chapter is about becoming more connected, more measurable and more valuable to patients, employers, payers, and healthcare partners who increasingly depend on us. That’s how we move from being a convenient place to receive care to an indispensable partner in delivering it.

Risk of Post-acute Symptoms and Conditions After SARS-CoV-2 Compared to Other Respiratory Viral Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Researchers pooled 14 cohort studies comparing lingering symptoms in adults after SARS-CoV-2 with those after other respiratory viruses, mostly influenza-like illness, influenza and RSV. Only a few outcomes were clearly more common after COVID: pulmonary embolism, abnormal breathing, fatigue, hemorrhagic stroke, brain fog and palpitations. Heart rate abnormalities were borderline, and most other outcomes were no more frequent than after other viral infections. The authors conclude that post-COVID condition is one example of a broader group of post-acute infection syndromes, not something entirely unique to SARS-CoV-2. Urgent Care Clinical implications: Clinicians should take persistent fatigue, dyspnea, palpitations, and cognitive complaints seriously after any respiratory virus, not just COVID. Keep PE and cardiopulmonary causes on the differential for patients with post-COVID breathing or heart symptoms. Full Access: International Journal of Infectious Diseases

Nationwide Increase in Reported Human Rabies Exposures: Rabies Post-exposure Prophylaxis Administration

CDC issued a Health Advisory on September 10 about a nationwide rise in rabies exposures and errors in post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Rabies inquiries to CDC were up 17% in July and August compared with last year, and use of rabies vaccine and HRIG rose about 33% and 76%. Supplies are fine, but mistakes lead to unnecessary treatment, adverse effects, and cost. The most common errors are gluteal vaccine injections, poor HRIG infiltration of wounds, mixing HRIG and vaccine in one syringe or site and giving HRIG to previously vaccinated patients. Urgent Care Clinical implications: Do a careful risk assessment before starting PEP, check prior vaccination and immune status and call your health department. Full Access: CDC

Deaths: Leading Causes for 2024

National Center for Health Statistics reports that the 10 leading causes accounted for 70.9% of all U.S. deaths in 2024, with the ranked order largely unchanged from 2023. Heart disease (22.2%) and malignant neoplasms (20.2%) remained first and second, followed by accidents/unintentional injuries (6.4%), cerebrovascular disease (5.4%), and chronic lower respiratory disease (4.7%). The most notable movement was suicide rising from 11th to 10th, while COVID-19 fell from 10th to 15th on a 37% year-over-year decline in deaths. Unintentional injury was the leading cause of death for every age group from 1 through 44 years. Urgent Care Clinical Implications: The dominance of unintentional injury across all working-age groups reinforces that trauma, overdose, and injury-related presentations are the highest-yield targets for risk assessment and intervention in the ambulatory and Urgent Care setting. Full Access: NVSS

Antibiotic Treatment and Antimicrobial Resistance in Urinary Tract Infections Among the Older Population in Denmark, 1999–2023

This national register-based surveillance study tracked prescribing of four UTI antibiotics (pivmecillinam, sulfamethizole, trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin) in Danes ≥70 years and resistance in E. coli and K. pneumoniae urine isolates. UTI antibiotic consumption peaked in 2014 and fell 28.4% by 2023, while resistance to all four agents declined significantly from 2018 to 2023 — trends the authors attribute to national stewardship initiatives begun after 2013. Notably, pivmecillinam use rose 3.5-fold yet its resistance fell, and the number of urine isolates rose over the period, hinting at more infections or more testing. The design is descriptive and ecological, so the stewardship-to-resistance link is correlational, not causal; the agents and the ≥70 primary-care/long-term-care population also limit US applicability. Urgent Care Clinical implications: The one portable, guideline-consistent takeaway is that pivmecillinam maintains low resistance despite heavy use and is a rational first-line agent for uncomplicated UTI. Full Access: Europe’s Journal on Infectious Disease

New Syphilis Tools App

Frontline clinicians are likely finding that diagnosing syphilis can be challenging — limited time, competing priorities, and complex diagnostics make it hard to act confidently and quickly. That is exactly why CDC funded this project and partnership with the University of Washington. Syphilis Tools is a new, free app that healthcare providers can use as a clinical reference for syphilis screening, testing, and treatment. Urgent Care Clinical Implications: Clinician can use interactive tools within the app to interpret serologic tests, identify syphilis stages, determine treatment regimens, and monitor titers, all from one app. Full Access: CDC

24 AI tools ranked for patient safety: Stanford, Harvard study

Stanford and Harvard researchers benchmarked 24 AI systems (20 generalist LLMs and 4 retrieval-augmented clinical tools) on 1,100 real physician-to-specialist consult cases, scored by 29 board-certified physicians. The four medical-specific tools (AMBOSS LiSA, Doximity Ask, OpenEvidence, Glass Health) tied for best, with potentially severe harmful errors in 2.9-5.4% of cases, versus roughly 9-25% for the generalist models. More than 80% of severe errors were omissions (recommending too little) rather than harmful actions. Urgent Care implications: Clinical decision support in Urgent Care should favor evidence-grounded, medical-specific tools over general chatbots, and since omission is the dominant failure mode, clinicians should use AI to check for missed workup, follow-up, and referral steps rather than as a sole answer. AI should be used carefully and should not replace evidence-based recommendations. Full Access: Becker Hospital Review

Consistency Key to Managing Pediatric Constipation

At AAP 2026, pediatric GI specialist, argued that managing pediatric constipation depends on consistency. Treatment starts with an effective disimpaction (oral PEG or magnesium citrate, sometimes with a stimulant laxative, often done at home). Otherwise, softener alone can cause leakage around retained stool, and families wrongly conclude it isn’t working. Maintenance therapy then aims for a soft stool daily, paired with scheduled toilet sits, foot-stool positioning, and rewards for behaviors the child controls, such as taking medication and sitting. Recovery can take months to years, so written green/yellow/red action plans and school bathroom accommodations help prevent relapse. Urgent Care Clinical Implications: Urgent Care visits often catch children at the impaction or overflow-soiling stage, so offering a home cleanout plan and clear counseling that fiber or a short softener course alone won’t fix it can prevent repeat visits. Give a written action plan and arrange prompt PCP follow-up to carry the maintenance phase. Full Access: Contemporary Pediatrics

Post-Treatment Vaginal Microbiota Predicts Bacterial Vaginosis Recurrence in Concurrently Treated Couples

This post-hoc pooled analysis gave women standard 7-day oral metronidazole and their male partners oral metronidazole plus topical 2% clindamycin. Repeat BV at 4 weeks was 20.7%, well below the 46% in the untreated-partner control arm of the StepUp trial. Women whose Nugent score was still 4-10 on day 8, before resuming sex, had about 2.8 times the risk of repeat BV (about 35% vs 12%). IUD users trended toward higher risk. The authors conclude that re-infection and persistence of BV-associated organisms are distinct, overlapping pathways, and that partner treatment only addresses the first. Urgent Care Clinical Implications: For recurrent BV, partner treatment will not fix persistence, so repeating the same regimen in a woman who never cleared is likely to fail, and a short-interval recheck before resuming sex may identify those women. Full Access: The Lancet