CONFERENCE DESCRIPTION

Emergency medicine and acute care involve the delivery of immediate medical care for the treatment of acute illness and injury. Practitioners providing emergency medicine and acute care need to be proficient in evaluating and caring for patients presenting with a broad range of acute medical problems.

Our 25^th Annual Fall Conference on Emergency Medicine & Acute Care is designed for emergency physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and out-of-hospital providers. Sharing their extensive scope of knowledge and expertise, our faculty will provide you with skills and strategies for the evaluation and treatment of acute medical conditions. This educational activity aims to increase learner knowledge, improve the competence and performance of all attendees, and contribute to their ability to work together as part of a coordinated healthcare team.

Topics for this year’s conference have been selected based on the educational needs underlying identified professional practice gaps. The gaps were derived from a variety of sources including evaluations and outcomes data from past participants, clinical expert input, Symposia Medicus’ online survey, and other medical and nursing data such as current clinical guidelines, research findings, literature reviews, and patient safety considerations.

An outstanding faculty has been assembled for this conference. Each faculty member was selected based on their individual area of expertise and ability to communicate current, evidence-based, and practical information to participants.

The conference format includes didactic lectures, question and answer sessions, case studies, and small group breakouts. Following a group of lectures, the question and answer sessions allow attendees to ask the faculty critical and challenging questions about caring for patients during various emergency and acute care situations.

The breakout sessions, designed to facilitate even greater interaction between faculty and participants, offer an opportunity to engage in group discussions on subjects relating to your particular area of interest. Space is limited, so please reserve early.
 

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

As a result of participating in this conference, you should have increased knowledge and enhanced competence to:

• Analyze recent evidence on pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management strategies for acute asthma and COPD exacerbations in the emergency department
• Identify atypical presentations of opportunistic infections
• Apply evidence-based, multimodal analgesia strategies to effectively manage acute and subacute pain
• Utilize bedside POCUS in the evaluation of the unstable cardiac patient
• Rapidly diagnose and manage challenging ingestions according to recent evidence-based guidelines

Enrollment for this conference is limited in order to provide the best possible learning environment.
Early registration is advised.

You can register and receive conference lodging group rates in the following ways:

• Online via this website (unless otherwise directed) OR:
   
• Call (925) 969-1789 Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm (Pacific Time), with
   Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover; OR
   
• By mail; make check payable to Symposia Medicus and send along with registration form to:
  399 Taylor Blvd, Suite 102, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523-2287

Conference registration will be confirmed via email

Please call (925) 969-1789 for additional questions or information.
 

ATTENDEE REQUIREMENTS

After attending this conference, participants are entitled to a certificate of credit which will be available online. Successful completion of this activity is determined by attending the live activity, reviewing the educational session materials, and submitting the case studies test, evaluations, surveys, and verification of attendance form. Each participant should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
 

ACCREDITATION

This accredited continuing education activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME and ANCC Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education.

Symposia Medicus is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Symposia Medicus is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
 

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT

Physicians
Symposia Medicus designates this live activity for a maximum of 18 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This ACE activity was developed with standards to address California Assembly Bill (AB) 1195 cultural and linguistic competency (CLC) and CA AB 241 implicit bias (IB) to reduce health disparities. Please refer to the accreditation page on our website for resources.

ACEP
Approved by the American College of Emergency Physicians for a maximum of 18 hour(s) of ACEP Category I credit.

AAFP
Application for CME credit has been filed with the American Academy of Family Physicians. Determination of credit is pending.

Physician Associates
NCCPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society. Physician associates may receive a maximum of 18 hours of Category 1 credit for completing this program.

Nurse Practitioners/Nurses
The ANCC contact hours awarded for completion of this conference are 18.

Provider is also approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CEP2335, for 21.6 contact hours.

Pharmacists
The California Board of Pharmacy accepts as continuing professional education those courses that meet the standard of relevance to pharmacy practice and have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™

Pharmacotherapeutic Credits for Nurses
This activity is designated for a maximum of 3.25 pharmacotherapeutic credits towards meeting the requirement for nursing pharmacology continuing education. Sessions awarding pharmacotherapeutic credits are denoted with an Rx in the schedule. Please contact your state’s Board of Nursing for specific educational requirements as they may vary state to state.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

In accordance with ACCME and ANCC guidelines, Symposia Medicus maintains a policy to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all educational activities. Prior to the planning of this educational activity, all individuals in control of content disclosed all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the past 24 months. Symposia Medicus will mitigate any and all relevant financial relationships before the conference begins. Beyond disclosure and mitigation of relevant financial relationships, faculty are required to disclose when they plan to discuss pharmaceuticals and/or medical devices that are not approved by the FDA and/or medical or surgical procedures that involve an unapproved or “off-label” use of an approved device or pharmaceutical. Symposia Medicus is committed to providing learners with commercially unbiased continuing education activities. This information is intended to assist learners in forming their own judgments about the content presented. Disclosure information will be included in the educational session materials for this activity and speakers will provide a disclosure slide for each presentation, which they will also disclose verbally on site.

CONFERENCE LODGING INFORMATION

Conference group rates have been arranged at the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa. Rooms at our group rates are limited and on a first come, first served basis. PLEASE RESERVE EARLY as rooms may sell out and/or room rates may increase. If you wish to extend your stay, group rates may be available three days before and three days after the conference.

Two nights’ deposit (room rate only) must accompany your reservation. The balance of your lodging, hotel fees as stated below, and all incidental charges are due to the hotel. The hotel accepts most major credit cards.

GROUP RATES STATED BELOW INCLUDE DAILY BUFFET BREAKFAST FOR TWO PEOPLE
 

Deluxe Garden View (Single/Double) - $280/night

Deluxe Pool View (Single/Double) - $303/night

Deluxe Ocean View (Single/Double) - $348/night

Deluxe Ocean Front (Single/Double) - $395/night
 

All rooms are 556 sq. ft. and feature either a king bed or two double beds. Guest rooms offer a closet, bathroom, high-speed internet access, 32” flat screen TV, iPod docking station, Marriott´s luxury bedding, minibar, iron & ironing board, in-room safe, work desk, hair dryer, coffee maker, voice messaging, 24-hour room service, three telephones per room, and a terrace or balcony. Rooms only differ by view and floor.

By booking your lodging with Symposia Medicus, you will receive the following on a complimentary basis: in-room and resort-wide internet access, self and valet parking, use of the fitness center, nightly turndown service, complimentary access to the fitness center, volleyball, and giant chess.

The resort has a daily resort fee and some items are not included in our group rate. Upon check-in, you may choose to pay the resort fee to receive the additional resort amenities (subject to change). For more information regarding the resort fee, please contact the hotel.

• Conference group rates are per room, per night and do not include the following (subject to change):
  - 13% sales tax
  - $7.00 mandatory housekeeping charge
  - $9.00 mandatory one-time bellman fee per person (13 years & older)
   
  
• Maximum guestroom occupancy is four, regardless of age (no exceptions)
   
  
• Mandatory additional occupant charge (13 years & older) is $45.00 per person, per night (includes daily buffet breakfast & taxes)
   
  
• Children 12 years & under are complimentary when sharing with parents (includes daily buffet breakfast & taxes)
   
  
• Rollaways & Cribs: Rollaway beds & cribs are both complimentary (based on availability and subject to change)
   
  
• Check-in time is 3:00pm and check-out time is noon. A late check-out can only be confirmed on the date of departure by the front desk. Late check-outs are based on availability and additional charges may apply.
   
  
• Early Departure Fee: Please notify Symposia Medicus of any changes to your scheduled departure date at least 30 days prior to your check-in date. Any changes made within 30 days of your arrival, including changes made at the conference hotel, may be charged the full original length of stay.
   
  
• Credit/Debit Card Policy: Upon check-in, the hotel will require a credit card and will place a hold for your total room & tax charges, plus $100/day for incidental charges, for your entire stay. Please be aware that if you use a debit card instead of a credit card, the funds will be immediately deducted from your account (even if you have prepaid your stay). The amount will be based on the average length of your stay, plus an estimate of incidental charges. The length of time for which these holds remain on your credit or debit account varies from bank to bank.
   
  
• Parking: Both valet and self-parking are complimentary for all conference guests
   
  

• All cancellations must be emailed to registrar@symposiamedicus.org by the dates stated below
   
  
• Conference cancellations must be made in writing (via email) to Symposia Medicus and a refund, less a 10% processing fee, will be given. No refunds will be made if cancellation is received after October 14, 2026; however, tuition, less a 10% processing fee, may be applied to a future Symposia Medicus conference.
   
  
• Per our hotel contract, hotel reservation cancellations must be made in writing to Symposia Medicus and you will receive a full refund if emailed by September 16, 2026. Between September 17, 2026 and October 14, 2026 one night’s deposit is forfeited. After October 14, 2026, no hotel refunds can be made.
   
  
• In the unlikely event of conference cancellation by Symposia Medicus, full tuition and, if reservation was made with Symposia Medicus, hotel deposit refunds will be made. Symposia Medicus will not be responsible for refunding travel or any other expenses.
   
  

Each registrant will have online access to the educational session materials on our conference webpage. The educational session materials will be available for download approximately one week prior to the conference. You will receive an email with instructions.

If you are unable to attend this conference, you may purchase an electronic copy of the educational session materials one week after the conference. Please email publications@symposiamedicus.org for more information.

AIR TRAVEL INFORMATION

The JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa is located in Guanacaste, in the northwest area of Costa Rica. You can fly into Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR - known as Liberia International Airport), which is an approximate 1.5 hour drive (dependent on traffic) to the hotel.

Symposia Medicus has arranged for discount fares with Alaska, Delta, and United Airlines for this conference. Reservations can be made either through your travel agency or through the airlines at the website or Convention Desk numbers listed below.

In order to receive the discounted rate, you or your travel agent must refer to the Symposia Medicus Group ID number listed below.
 

Alaska Airlines
Discount code was not available at the time of creating this conference. Please check for updated information once available.

Delta Airlines
For discounts on Delta Airlines, please visit www.delta.com, enter in your travel plans and then click on the “Advanced Search” link located below the “Passenger” box. Once you click on this link, a panel will appear and you will need to insert NY42K in the “Meeting Code” box. For questions, please call the Delta Airlines Convention Desk at (800) 328-1111.

United Airlines
For discounts on United Airlines, please visit www.united.com and click on Advanced Search, located on the bottom left corner of the “Book Travel” box. Once you click on this link, another page will appear. At the bottom of this page, you will insert ZR7P576699 in the “Promotions and Certificates” box at the end of the page. For questions, please call the United Airlines Convention Desk at (800) 426-1122.
 

CONFERENCE LOCATION

Embark on an unforgettable adventure in Costa Rica, a paradise renowned for its stunning biodiversity, lush rainforests, and pristine beaches. From vibrant wildlife to breathtaking landscapes, this Central American gem offers a unique blend of natural beauty and rich cultural experiences. Explore the enchanting Arenal Volcano, stroll through the lush paths of Monteverde Cloud Forest, or unwind on the sun-kissed shores of the Pacific Coast. With its warm climate and friendly locals, Costa Rica is the perfect destination for both relaxation and adventure, catering to every traveler’s dream.

Indulge in the ultimate getaway at the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa, where luxury meets the beauty of nature. Nestled along the Mansita Beach in Hacienda Pinilla, this exquisite resort boasts stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, world-class amenities, and a serene atmosphere. Guests can unwind at the lavish spa, savor gourmet cuisine at on-site restaurants, play a round on a championship golf course, enjoy the equestrian center and trot through miles of beach and countryside trails, find balance with a yoga class, or take a dip in the infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

With easy access to nearby attractions like local wildlife tours and within driving distance to the town of Tamarindo, the JW Marriott is the perfect base for exploring Costa Rica’s breathtaking landscapes while enjoying unparalleled comfort and service. Experience the magic of Costa Rica and create memories that will last a lifetime!

During conference breaks, you can also venture out of the resort and experience other various activities such as fishing, touring national parks, river floating, canoeing, snorkeling, ATV riding, scuba diving, and zip-lining through the canopies of the rain forest. Costa Rica truly is a paradise for those who are in search of a combination of beauty, history, culture, and both land and water sports.

Whatever your pleasure, you’ll be sure to find it in Costa Rica, at our 25^th Annual Fall Conference on Emergency Medicine & Acute Care.