Staff serving indigenous and rural communities are invited to participate in a three-day gathering April 27th through April 30th, 2024 in Portland, OR (both in-person and virtual options for joining are available) to empower healthcare professionals to not only provide excellence in emergency medical care, but to do so in a manner that honors and respects the historical and cultural context of the communities they serve.

The theme of the 2026 national emRIC (Emergency Medicine with Rural and Indigenous Communities) gathering is Rising to the Call: Community, Collaboration, and Continuity of Care. Every day, emergency medicine providers in rural and Indigenous communities rise to the call—often in challenging environments, always with deep commitment to those they serve. This year’s theme honors the resilience and responsiveness of clinicians, community members, and partners who work together to ensure care reaches every corner of our regions.

Rising to the Call reflects the courage to act, adapt, and innovate in the face of evolving needs. Community reminds us that healing begins with relationships, trust, and shared responsibility. Collaboration highlights the strength found in teamwork across distances, disciplines, and cultures. And Continuity of Care underscores the ongoing commitment to patients and communities long after the immediate crisis has passed.

The 2026 emRIC Gathering invites all who serve in rural and Indigenous emergency medicine to connect, learn, and share stories of how we rise—together—to build systems of care that are compassionate, sustainable, and grounded in community. CE will be provided.

Click here to learn more.