TNMU Representatives Participated in the International Conference in Emergency Medicine ICEM 2026

Representatives of I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, including Professor of the Department of Pharmacology with Clinical Pharmacology Oksana Shevchuk and Assistant Professor of the Department of Emergency and Simulation Medicine Roman Huk, participated in the International Conference in Emergency Medicine (ICEM 2026), which took place in Hamburg, Germany, from June 9–13, 2026. The conference brought together emergency and acute care professionals from around the world.

Held under the motto #wetogetherforward, the conference served as a unique platform for international professional dialogue, exchange of experience, and the establishment of new partnerships. The event demonstrated that the advancement of emergency medicine is possible through collaboration, mutual support, and the combined efforts of specialists from different countries.

Over five days, participants discussed current issues in the development of emergency medical systems, the implementation of innovative technologies, medical workforce training, ensuring equitable access to healthcare, and responding to global health challenges. The conference program included scientific presentations, practical workshops, simulation-based training sessions, and discussions on the future of emergency medicine.

Each day began with keynote lectures delivered by distinguished speakers:

• Patrick “Coach” Esume – one of Europe’s most influential promoters of American football, sports commentator, coach, and public figure. As one of the few European coaches with experience in the U.S. National Football League (NFL), he drew fascinating parallels between sports, coaching, teamwork, and emergency medicine.
• Dr. Teri Reynolds – Head of Integrated Health Services and Care Delivery at the Department of Health Systems Governance and Financing, World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva.
• Dr. David Carr – Professor in the Division of Emergency Medicine and the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto. He combines clinical practice as an emergency physician with research activities as a clinician-scientist at University Health Network and Mackenzie Health Hospital, Canada.

з Dr. David Carr.

• Dr. Tsion Firew – internationally recognized expert in emergency medicine and global health. She serves as Chair of Emergency Medicine at the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda, Associate Professor at New York University, and Senior Advisor to the Rwandan Ministry of Health on emergency care system development.
• Dr. Heidi Edmundson – Consultant in Emergency Medicine known for her work in promoting healthcare worker well-being and fostering positive workplace culture in healthcare settings. She is also the author of Belly Full (2025), a book reflecting on personal experiences, the challenges of 2022, and issues facing the UK National Health Service (NHS).
• Dr. L. Anthony (“Tony”) Cirillo – current President of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and one of the leading experts in emergency care in the United States. With more than 30 years of clinical experience, he combines medical practice with healthcare policy work as Director of Government Relations at US Acute Care Solutions.
• Dr. Priyadarshini Marathe – Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Oxford University Hospitals and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Oxford. Her professional activities encompass clinical practice, medical education, and research aimed at improving emergency care delivery systems.

A distinctive feature of ICEM 2026 was the creation of the ICEM Village in Hamburg’s HafenCity district, where participants could continue professional networking beyond the conference halls, expand international collaborations, and discuss prospects for future joint projects.

The ICEM 2026 exhibition featured sponsors and globally recognized manufacturers of medical equipment, mannequins, and simulation training devices, including Ambu, 3B Scientific, Abbott Point of Care & Rapid Diagnostics, Belmont Medical Technologies, Mindray Medical, and others. The exhibition also included representatives of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr), emergency medicine associations from various countries, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), the American Heart Association, and many other organizations.

Participation in this prestigious international forum enabled TNMU representatives to familiarize themselves with the best global practices in emergency medicine and contributed to the further integration of the Ukrainian medical community into the international professional environment.

Poster sessions were held daily, showcasing diverse aspects of emergency care systems in different countries around the world.

As part of ICEM 2026, live demonstrations and training exercises were conducted by the Hamburg Fire and Rescue Service and the Hamburg Police Special Operations Unit (SEK). These demonstrations highlighted modern approaches to emergency response, rescue operation management, and interagency cooperation among emergency services.

Dr. med. Michael Wünning, the chief coordinator and organizer of ICEM 2026, serves as Head of the Department of Emergency and Acute Care Medicine and Director of the Integrated Emergency Center (INZ). He also holds the position of Chief Medical Officer of the Ansgar Group healthcare network. His professional activities focus on emergency care organization, healthcare management, and the implementation of modern integrated emergency care models.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our partners, the Emergency Medicine Working Group of Fürth (AGNF – Arbeitsgemeinschaft Notfallmedizin Fürth e. V.), for providing the opportunity to participate in the conference within the framework of the joint project “Implementation of the National Triage System for Hospital Emergency Care in Ukraine.”

The project is implemented with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and the Hospital Partnerships Programme, and represents an important contribution to the development of emergency and acute medical care systems in Ukraine.