Haven’t Registered Yet?
The 42nd Annual Emergency Medicine for Rural Hospitals Conference is now open for registration.
Jan 23-25, 2026 at the Banff Park Lodge
Workshop Descriptions: 42nd EMRH Conference, Jan 23-25 2026, Banff
Seize the Day: Effective Pediatric Management
Presented by: Tammy Nelson RN, MN, ENC(c), and Connie Abrey RN, BN, CNE
Format: Hands-on
Description:
- Review pediatric seizures
- Review management of pediatric seizures
Optimizing Connect Care Use for ER physicians in Rural Medicine
Presented by: Dr. Ikponmwosa Iyawe MD, CCFP
Format: Hands-on
Description: Brief introduction to Connect Care
Objectives
Optimizing the use of Connect Care in the ER
Follow up on results, especially after discharge
Home care orders
Setting up therapy plans
Phone call appointments
Billing
Epistaxis: Tips and Tricks and Surgical Management
Presented by: Dr. Janet Balderston MD, LMCC, FRCSC
Format: Didactic
Description:
Epistaxis, advise on office and ER management- any new options and surgical management.
Simulation: Neonatal Sepsis using the ACORN Process
Presented by: Anna Tumoth RN, BN, CNE, IBCLC, and Malorie Dafoe RN, BN
Format: Hands-on
Description:
-Brief overview of the ACORN Process and how to incorporate it into your practice
-Identify & manage shock in the neonate
-Identify & manage sepsis in the neonate
Rural Teamwork Escape Room: Zombie County General
Presented by: Annamaria Mundell MN, RN, Nadine Terpstra RN, BScN, and Katie Woodford BScN, RN
Format: Hands-on
Description: Rural teams will need to work together to save their patient Jake Maller from a Zombie pathogen by solving a series of puzzles to obtain the antidote. Puzzle objectives includes rural themes: triaging principles, utilizing appropriate resources, effective team communication, and high-quality basic life support. There will be a prebrief prior to the start of the escape room, as well as a debrief afterward.
Note: At no time will any participants be locked in a room- they may leave at anytime if they wish. As a part of the room’s theme, there will be some environmental elements (e.g.,music, lighting) to enhance a zombie atmosphere.
Universal Screening: Identifying and Supporting Patients of Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence
Presented by: Kate Farkouh BScN, RN
Format: Didactic
Description: This didactic session is designed for frontline medical professionals to enhance their ability to identify and support patients who disclose experiences of domestic or sexual violence.
Rural Trauma Simulation
Presented by: Dr. Kristy Penner MD, LMCC, CCFP and Dawn Peta BN, RN, ENC(C)
Format: Hands-on
Description: In this small group workshop, participants will act as their healthcare role in a trauma simulation specific to rural and remote communities.
Acute Frostbite Care in Urban and Rural Emergency Departments: An Introduction of an Acute Care Pathway
Presented by: Domhnall O’Dochartaigh RN, MSc, and Kristine Osetsky MN, RN
Format: Didactic
Description: A detailed description of acute frostbite presentations in urban and rural EDs, and the impact of the introduction of an acute care pathway on outcomes. Also described will be a provisional research results of our follow-up study on an assessment of iloprost dosage on amputation rates.
From Chaos to Comfort: Systems Quality Improvement for Rural Emergency Airway Management
Presented by: Dr. Ava Butler, MD, CCFP(EM)
Format: Didactic
Description: The rural emergency department is a high stakes setting. We work in small teams, with limited resources in environments where conditions can change on a dime and you never know what might come through the doors. In this interactive workshop, we will explore the story of how one rural ED turned emergency adult airway management from chaotic to reliable. You’ll step into a familiar scenario: a high pressure intubation goes off the rails, and suddenly the tools you need aren’t where you thought they would be.
Together, we’ll look at how interdisciplinary, systems-level changes can prevent crises and empower rural teams. Using the IHI Model for Improvement alongside concepts like the hierarchy of effectiveness, systems design, and translational simulation, we’ll explore practical ways to spark grassroots change. We’ll finish with an opportunity to workshop changes you’d like to see in your own ED.
Understanding the Impact of Rural Emergency Department Closures in Alberta
Presented by: Dr. Sean Park, MD
Format: Didactic
Description: Rural emergency departments (EDs) are essential access points for care in geographically remote communities. In Alberta, equitable access is increasingly challenged by recurrent rural ED closures. Our study aimed to characterize the impact of such closures through a case study of Milk River—a rural community with a high burden of service disruptions.
Getting the most out of your A.I. Scribe
Presented by: Dr. Mike Weldon, MSc. (Electrical Engineering), M.D., CCFP-EM
Format: Hands-on
Description: Intro to Jenkins – AHS’s internally developed A.I. Scribe
Objectives:
-Understand how to set up an A.I. Scribe
-Practice using an A.I. Scribe in a clinical workflow
-Customizing an A.I. Scribe to your specific practice
-Pearls for getting the most out of your scribe
Many of the lessons are broadly applicable to other scribes or AI tools in general.
Please note: There will be a plenary on A.I. in Medicine presented by Dr. Mike Weldon as well.
Trauma Skills for Nurses
Presented by: Jennifer Drover RN, MN, ENC (C), and Sara Phillips RN
Format: Hands-on
Description: A hands-on workshop experience for nurses to familiarize themselves with equipment and procedures like pelvic binders, IO insertion, I-gel insertion, and tourniquets. Will include as many trauma skills as possible.
Please note: This educational session is primarily for nurses and/or healthcare providers other than physicians.
Advanced Suturing Techniques
Presented by: Dr. Wayne Sefcik MD, MCFP (EM), and Dr. Fred Loiselle MD, LMCC, FRCSC
Format: Hands-on
Description: Finger tip injuries. Z plasty complicated lacerations.
Approach to Alcohol Use Disorder
Presented by: Dr. Sumantra Monty Ghosh MD, FRCPC
Format: Hands-on
Description: We will discuss screening, diagnosing, and managing AUD in various population types. Management of AUD will include both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches. We will also discuss home detox processes.
When the Rash Walks In: Recognizing and Treating Measles in the Emergency Department
Presented by: Dr. Tania Principi, MD, MSc, MBA, FRCPC (PEM)
Format: Didactic
Description: With measles making a comeback, emergency departments need to be prepared to recognize, isolate, and manage this highly contagious disease. This session will walk through the practical realities of measles in the ER: from first exposure and infection control, to recognition and diagnosis, to treatment strategies and potential complications. Drawing on real-world experiences, we’ll explore how to balance limited resources with high-stakes decision-making.
- Identify key clinical features that distinguish measles from other febrile rash illnesses.
- Implement best practices for infection control and exposure management in the ED.
- Initiate timely treatment and supportive care, including when to escalate or transfer.
Burn Management
Presented by: Dr. Vince Gabriel MD FRCPC, and Lindsay Burnett MN, NP, CBRN
Format: Hands-on
Description: Discuss the burn management system. Specifics to be determined.
Changing Faces in Rural Practice
Presented by: Dr. Tina Nicholson, MBChB ,MRCGP, MD, CCFP, FCFP
Format: Didactic
Description: Interactive case based approach to reflect on the cultural changes occurring within our rural physician and patient populations . Promoting the development of cultural competency, enhancing practice skills and professionalism in approaching cross cultural clinical encounters including the approach to sensitive difficult conversations.
KidsSIM
Presented by: Dr. Kerri Landry MD, FRCPC
Format: Hands-on
Description: Pediatric focused simulation working in small groups, participants will act as their healthcare roles, specific to rural communities.
Labour and Delivery Escape Room
Presented by: Dr. Carli Rose Clemis MD
Format: Hands-on
Description: Work in teams to solve a series of L&D puzzles to successfully navigate the obstetric emergency.
STARS Patient Simulation Scenarios
Presented by: Bob Odney ACP, and Kellie Ann Vogelaar RN BScN
Format: Hands-on
Description: Critical Care simulation featuring complex medical problems and how to deal with them in remote geographic areas and prepare for transportation to urban trauma centres.
Ophthalmologic Emergencies
Presented by: Dr. Andrew Swift MD, and Dr. Adam Gorner MD
Format: Hands-on
Description: Evaluate ophthalmologic emergencies assessing and diagnosing with rural resources. Identify what ophthalmologic issues can be dealt with in the rural environment, and when to involve urban specialists.