The Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists

It is an exhilarating time for SOCCA! I hope to see as many of you as possible at the 2024 annual meeting presented by IARS and SOCCA in Seattle on May 17-19. This is an excellent opportunity for SOCCA because we have more critical care educational content in this new format than we have ever had in any of our annual meetings.

The SOCCA membership committee had quite a busy year in 2023, and we are now working diligently with our new management team to continue to provide valuable programming for our members. The Early Career Intensivists group and the Physicians in Private Practice group are organizing their events for 2024.

The field of transplant surgery, with its roots traced back to the pioneering work of Sushruta in 600 BC, has undergone a remarkable evolution. On behalf of the SOCCA-SATA Work Group, this review focuses on transplant anesthesiology, a field of medicine that has played a pivotal role in transforming transplantation into a life-extending therapy for patients with end-organ failure. Advances in multidisciplinary collaboration and research have improved surgical success and patient outcomes.

The SOCCA Early Career Intensivists group welcomed Dr. Gerald Maccioli this past November to learn about contract negotiations. Dr. Maccioli is an accomplished anesthesiologist with multiple leadership roles throughout his career, including being the former President of SOCCA and Chair of the ASA section on education and research. He is currently the Vice President of Medical Affairs for the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, CMO and Board Advisor of Quick’rCare, CMO of Care Angel, and CMO of Moterum.

Need answers to pressing questions in clinical practice, career advancement, research, work-life balance, or academic journey? Explore the WICC’s peer mentorship model – the consultancy – which may help in answering these queries. Starting on March 28, WICC will present a quarterly one-hour Fireside Consultancy style hour.

We present a 36-year-old woman, BMI 19, with a history of deep vein thrombosis (on Apixaban), rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease status post previous left hemicolectomy,11 years ago and completion proctocolectomy with end ileostomy ,10 years ago Furthermore, the patient was dependent on total parenteral nutrition given chronic entero-vaginal and enterocutaneous fistulas. The patient was admitted with evidence of a pelvis abscess, surgical intervention was deemed necessary. An exploratory laparotomy with small bowel resection, fistula takedown with an entero-entero anastomosis was performed. The post-operative course was complicated by a pelvic enteric leak, resulting in another exploratory laparotomy, small bowel resection with double barrel jejunostomy. Intra-abdominal wound cultures revealed Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci and Enterobacter cloacae, hence Meropenem and Daptomycin were initiated.

August was Charlie Parker Month, the month of the great musician’s birth. I am, of course, a jazz fan, but Mr. Parker is also on my mind for his outstanding talent. He was among the foremost innovators in the most improvisational of music genres. This capability made him flexible, inspiring, and able to direct groups in productive and creative ways. Capabilities are the necessary support for achievement. Today, SOCCA is a nimble organization that is enhancing its capabilities.

As Chair of the SOCCA Research Committee, I am thrilled to share our latest progress and upcoming initiatives. Over the past months, our committee has been energized by the dedication and enthusiasm of our members, whose collaborative efforts have resulted in significant advancements in the field of critical care anesthesiology.

The strength of SOCCA lies in its members’ incredible talent and energy. Volunteering is one of the best ways to contribute to the Society. Each year, the SOCCA Nominations Committee reviews nominees and prepares an election ballot for available Officer and Director positions. During this election cycle, we will elect four members for the Board of Directors (for a 3-year term). Further details about SOCCA’s governance structure are outlined in our Society Bylaws.

In-flight medical emergencies (IMEs) are estimated to occur in 1 of every 604 flights; given the tremendous volume of global air travel, 260 and 1420 IMEs may occur daily.1 Invariably, these events take place in a complex setting characterized by limited information and equipment. Many physicians have little personal experience responding to in-flight crises, and even seasoned anesthesiologist-intensivists will likely find these events challenging and stressful. This article briefly overviews clinical, logistical, and legal considerations relevant to managing in-flight medical emergencies.