The core of our conference are the plenary sessions.

In the morning sessions we have our short sharp clinically focused sessions on Trauma, Paediatrics and Adult Critical Care.

The presentations here will focus on clinical next shift pearls for the experienced clinician who’s heard it all before.

Out of all the elements of our previous conferences it is this part of DevelopingEM that gets the most positive feedback.

With our excellent faculty we hope once again to maintain the high standards

Trauma Plenary Track

Trauma remains one of the defining challenges of emergency medicine.

While headlines focus on helicopters, major trauma centres and dramatic resuscitations, most trauma care occurs in emergency departments where clinicians must make critical decisions with limited time and imperfect information.

The DevelopingEM 2026 Trauma Track explores the practical realities of trauma care across diverse settings. From major urban centres to regional hospitals and island healthcare systems, the principles of teamwork, leadership and decision-making remain universal.

Track Lead Neil Ballard brings extensive experience in trauma systems and education. Under his leadership, the track will focus on translating evidence into practical strategies that can be applied immediately in clinical practice.

Delegates will also hear from internationally recognised faculty including Jimmy Bliss, Gerd Pust, Julie Valenzuela, Ilana Delroy Buelles and Nicholas Carter.  Their collective experience spans trauma surgery, prehospital and retrieval medicine, emergency medicine leadership, critical care and systems improvement.

Topics will include some of the key elements of modern trauma management including imaging modalities, damage control, transfusion strategies and maintaining personal currencies . More importantly, discussions will focus on what clinicians can actually do differently on their next shift.

Whether you work in a major trauma centre or a small emergency department, the Trauma Track offers lessons that extend well beyond trauma itself. It is ultimately a conversation about how teams perform when every decision matters.

Paediatric Plenary Track

Children present some of the most rewarding and challenging cases in emergency medicine.

They often arrive unable to clearly explain their symptoms, supported by anxious families and accompanied by high clinical stakes.
The DevelopingEM Paediatric Track is designed to improve confidence and capability in caring for children across the spectrum of emergency presentations.
Track Lead April Kam has developed a reputation as an outstanding clinician and educator with a passion for practical paediatric emergency medicine. Her focus is on translating evidence into bedside care.

The faculty includes internationally respected speakers such as Nate Kuppermann, Gerard Moynihan, Tanya Solano, Camilo Gutierrez, Gerard Moynihan and Lashorn Christian. Together they bring expertise in paediatric emergency medicine, Intensive care, POCUS, resuscitation, research and clinical decision-making.

Sessions will explore common paediatric presentations, critically ill children, risk assessment, procedural skills and family-centred care. Rather than focusing on rare zebras, the emphasis is on the decisions clinicians face every day.

Delegates can expect practical pearls, useful frameworks and immediately applicable learning. Whether you see children every shift or only occasionally, the Paediatric Track will provide skills and confidence that translate directly to practice.

Adult EM and Critical Care Track

Emergency medicine sits at the intersection of uncertainty, complexity and urgency.

Every shift involves balancing risk, making decisions with incomplete information and managing patients whose conditions can deteriorate rapidly.
The Adult Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Track sits at the heart of DevelopingEM 2026.
Track Lead Brian Wright has assembled a faculty focused on practical emergency medicine rather than theoretical debate. The goal is simple: help clinicians improve care on their next shift.

Faculty contributors include Chidi Nwakanma, Lindsay Reardon, Peter Viccellio, Ben Wyler, Jon Kerr, Arie Francis, Christopher Hahn, Suchi Datta, Neil DasGupta and other internationally recognised emergency medicine educators. Their experience spans emergency departments, critical care units, academic centres and healthcare systems around the world.

Topics will include severe asthma, sepsis, toxicology, critical cardiology, respiratory failure, obstetric emergencies, palliative care and emergency department critical care. Discussions will also address decision-making, communication and the challenges facing modern emergency departments.

This track is designed for clinicians who want practical, evidence-based education delivered by faculty who remain actively engaged in frontline care.

Our afternoon sessions will focus on the development of emergency medicine in the region and internationally outside of the luxurious high income settting.

The presentations here will be experiential and inspirational and it is one of my favourite parts of DevelopingEM.

EM in Saint Lucia Track

One of the unique features of DevelopingEM 2026 is the opportunity to learn directly from clinicians working in Saint Lucia.

Led by DevelopingEM Co-Director Lisa Charles and OECH ER Director Bernadette Joseph-Labadie, this track explores emergency medicine through the lens of a small island nation with a growing emergency care system and a strong commitment to education.

Delegates will gain insight into local healthcare delivery, emergency care challenges, workforce development and the opportunities that come with practising medicine in a close-knit community.

The sessions will highlight local leadership, innovation and the development of emergency medicine within Saint Lucia. More importantly, they will create opportunities for genuine exchange between local and international clinicians.

The EM in Saint Lucia Track reflects a core DevelopingEM belief: every healthcare system has something valuable to teach.

EM in the Caribbean Track

The Caribbean is home to diverse healthcare systems, cultures and clinical environments.

Despite these differences, clinicians across the region share common challenges and a commitment to improving emergency care.
The EM in the Caribbean Track showcases regional innovation, collaboration and leadership.
Led by our team from Jamaica, Eric Williams and Simone French, and supported by faculty from across the Caribbean, the track will explore disaster preparedness, workforce development, emergency medicine training and healthcare system design.

Delegates will hear directly from clinicians working throughout the region, providing perspectives that are rarely featured at international conferences.

For many attendees, this track will offer one of the most unique educational experiences of the conference. It highlights not only the challenges facing Caribbean healthcare systems but also the creativity and resilience that drive ongoing improvement.

International EM Track

International Emergency Medicine is about far more than travel. At its best, it is about partnerships, shared learning and sustainable development.

Track Lead Natalie Thurtle has been involved in emergency medicine education and collaboration across multiple countries and healthcare systems. Her work reflects the DevelopingEM philosophy of mutual learning and respect.

This track will explore how clinicians can contribute to education, capacity building and system improvement while remaining grounded in local priorities.

Faculty will discuss successful international partnerships, lessons learned from global projects and opportunities for future collaboration.

For delegates interested in education, leadership and healthcare development, the International EM Track provides both inspiration and practical guidance.

Get Prepped for DevelopingEM

November is approaching quickly and now is the ideal time to prepare for DevelopingEM 2026.

Delegates should finalise travel arrangements, review workshop options and begin planning their conference experience.

Check our guides on Travel and Accommodation.

With tracks covering trauma, paediatrics, adult emergency medicine, critical care, international emergency medicine and regional healthcare development, there is plenty to explore.

This year also offers significant CPD opportunities through the scientific program and workshops.

Attendees are encouraged to familiarise themselves with faculty profiles, identify sessions of particular interest and leave room for networking and collaboration.

A little preparation can make a big difference. DevelopingEM is designed to be immersive, educational and highly interactive. The more prepared you are, the more you will gain from the experience.

Get Connected at DevelopingEM

Some of the most valuable moments at DevelopingEM happen outside the lecture theatre.
Over the years, DevelopingEM has built a reputation not only for educational quality but also for fostering genuine professional relationships.

Many collaborations, projects and friendships have begun over coffee breaks, workshops and evening discussions.
The 2026 conference provides numerous opportunities to engage with faculty, regional leaders and colleagues from around the world.
Whether you are looking for mentorship, educational partnerships, research collaborations or simply the chance to learn from others, DevelopingEM creates an environment where those connections can flourish.
The conference is more than a collection of lectures. It is a community of clinicians committed to improving emergency care through education, collaboration and shared experience.

Come and join the DevelopingEM family in Saint Lucia this November!