Volume 35 | Issue 3

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.  

Global prevalence for obesity and type 2 diabetes are continuing to rise, with special concerns for the very high prevalence of obesity (>25% of adults) and Type 2 diabetes (>13% of adults) in several regions of the Americas, Middle East and amongst Pacific Island communities.

Dr Matt Wiepking is the Program Director for the Anesthesia Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at the Los Angeles General Medical Center and the University of South California, he has served in this role for the past 2 years. 

The WICC Member Spotlight highlights our members’ day-to-day work lives. How do our members “do it all”? Balance their busy work life with their interests outside of work. These profiles highlight that although practicing as an Anesthesiology Critical Care attending may seem daunting as a trainee, it is a challenging yet fulfilling specialty.

In 2023, the American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Neurology Society, Society for Critical Care Medicine and the American Academy of Neurology released an updated set of guidelines for Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria (BD/DNC). These were the first guidelines to provide recommendations for both adult and pediatric patients.

Over the past few decades, critical care medicine has rapidly evolved into the cornerstone of modern healthcare. The recent pandemic made us aware of the need for critical care specialists. The demand for intensive care services has continued to rise in response to the increasing complexity and acuity of both medical and surgical conditions.