SCCM - Society of Critical Care Medicine

Frederick P. Ognibene, MD, FCCM

President
Society of Critical Care Medicine

SCCM Pod-59: Message from the 2007 President

Learn more about the Creative Community

You Are Valued

Editor's note: Frederick Ognibene, MD, FCCM, will move into the president position at the Society of Critical Care Medicine during the 36th Critical Care Congress.

To prepare for my first president’s column in Critical Connections, I reread the message from Charles Durbin, MD, FCCM, in the December 2006 issue. In his message, he highlighted the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s (SCCM) many accomplishments and milestones during 2006 and outlined some of the plans for 2007. As a leader of the organization, I was well aware of these accomplishments and goals, but I was reminded that a strong Society infrastructure is essential to continuing our success. We have a strong and sophisticated staff in our Des Plaines, Illinois, headquarters, led by a team of directors and our chief executive officer/executive vice president. They are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the organization, which is no small feat.

The core and the lifeblood of SCCM, however, is our volunteer membership, the Creative Community. As a member of the Creative Community, you generate new ideas through strategic thinking and strategic planning. You are responsible for teaching and mentoring young intensive care professionals - the next generation of healthcare providers. You represent SCCM at your respective institutions and, most importantly, at the patient’s bedside. For this, the Society and I are thankful. However, the reality is that only a small percentage of the membership serve as active volunteers. Last year, Dr. Durbin wrote about the importance of volunteerism, and the response from many of you was extremely positive and encouraging. Still, we are reaching only the tip of the iceberg. Many more members could become active components of our volunteer team. I would like to point out a few practical ways for you to stay active as a Society member, even if you don’t volunteer for committees or other segments of the Creative Community. Also, I want to explain how to join the ranks of our volunteers.

First of all, it is very important to update your contact information in the Society’s database. The database is only as good as the content in it. If you move, professionally or personally, please contact the Society so we can stay in touch with you. We want to ensure that you receive electronic and other correspondence as well as the Society’s monthly journal, Critical Care Medicine. The Society is a complex organization; the only way for its communications to be effective is for it to know who you are and where you are located. Through the Society’s extensive electronic infrastructure for communications, groups are able to share messages and work products through iRooms (formerly eRooms). Your staff partners work with the committees to create and maintain these sites. The Society’s committees are the most effective channels for making your voice heard. By joining a committee and becoming a member of our Creative Community, you can make a huge difference and contribute to the Society’s mission and vision. Members of the Creative Community not only play an active role in Society activities and initiatives, they also gain leadership skills and networking opportunities as well as the chance to develop professionally alongside colleagues with similar interests.

More than 600 Society members already enjoy the personal and professional rewards of the Creative Community. In correspondence with current and new volunteers, I reiterated my own thoughts about the values of being involved with the Society and its activities. Committees and other activities will teach you about the organization, its diverse and amazing members and, importantly, about yourself. The peers you meet and the personal and professional relationships you form will contribute to your growth as an individual as well as a potential leader in the organization. Do not miss this opportunity to make a significant contribution to the Society.

Applications to join task forces and committees must be submitted by May 15, 2007. Applications and information about SCCM’s organizational structure and committee charge are available in the Volunteers section of www.sccm.org/membership.

Please remember that reappointment to a committee is not automatic. If you are a committee or task force member whose term is about to expire, you will need to reapply to be reappointed. If you are not sure when your term expires, please contact your staff partner for assistance. There are maximum term limits for participation on a c ommittee. If you wish to continue serving on a committee or want to be appointed to another committee, an application must be completed. Questions may be directed to Colette Punda at cpunda@ sccm.org

I look forward to serving as your president in 2007 with the realization that our collective strength is much greater than just the sum of the individuals. You are all valued for your membership, for your participation in the Society’s activities, and for your volunteer efforts as members of the Creative Community.