<P>When the American College of Critical Care Medicine was created
in 1988, the <a href="http://www.sccm.org" target="_blank">Society of Critical Care Medicine</a> (SCCM) began a
tradition dedicated to the recognition of excellence. The College
is committed to fostering the highest goals of multidisciplinary
critical care medicine, honoring individuals whose achievements and
contributions demonstrate personal commitment to these goals,
promoting a forum for the development of collaborative practice
among the specialties and professions providing critical care, and
providing the Society with a consultative body possessing
recognized expertise in the practice of critical care.</P>
<P>The College fosters the highest goals of multidisciplinary
critical care practice. The prestigious designation of <strong>Fellow of
the American College of Critical Care Medicine (FCCM)</strong> honors
practitioners, researchers, administrators and educators who have
made outstanding contributions to the field of critical care. It
also indicates that their achievements demonstrate personal and
professional commitment to the profession. The College, which is
the first honorary society specifically for critical care
practitioners, is made up of nurses, respiratory therapists,
physicians and other allied health professionals who are all
experts in their fields.</P>
<P>As an organization devoted to creating a greater understanding
of critical care, the College emphasizes quality management in the
practice and administration of critical care, focuses on leadership
and underscores the importance of supervision, humane caring,
communication and public opinion involving critical care.</P>
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<P>Founded in 1970, the SCCM is the leading multidisciplinary
organization for physicians, registered nurses, respiratory
therapists, pharmacologists and pharmacists, scientists,
bioengineers, critical care industry executives and other allied
health professionals involved in the care of the critically ill and
injured. SCCM is dedicated to the improved care of the critically
ill and injured through excellence in multidisciplinary patient
care, education and research.</P>
<P>With more than 8,000 members from 55 countries, SCCM strongly
influences the practice and focus of critical care medicine. SCCM
members include the medical, nursing, and allied health
professionals who work in intensive care units (ICUs) around the
world. Members represent several medical specialties, including
internal medicine (cardiology and pulmonology), surgery,
anesthesiology, pediatrics, neonatology, neurology and burn
therapy. The critical care nurses belonging to SCCM include those
specializing in nursing research, pediatrics, surgery and other
areas. Allied health professionals such as pharmacists and
pharmacologists, respiratory therapists and researchers also bring
their expertise to the care of critically ill and injured
patients.</P>
<P>SCCM's commitment to high-quality education for critical care
practitioners is at the heart of all Society efforts. Each year,
SCCM's Educational and Scientific Symposium brings together more
than 2,500 of the world's leading practitioners. During plenary
lectures, workshops, panel discussions, and special sessions,
practitioners focus on issues involving clinical practice and the
ever-changing environment of the critical care unit.</P>
<P>In addition to the Symposium, SCCM offers other educational
programs. Regional programs, specialty certification workshops, and
preparation courses are offered throughout the year. SCCM is a
member of the World Federation of Intensive Care Societies and
hosted the World Congress of Critical Care Medicine in 1981. In
1991, SCCM became a member of the American Medical Association and
actively participates in the AMA House of Delegates and various
committees.</P>
<P>Recent Society efforts have focused on involvement in health
care policy. Current SCCM concerns focus on national health system
reform, patient advocacy issues, implementation of national
legislation to improve the nation's trauma care system, advocating
increased federal funding for critical care research, and ensuring
equitable reimbursement for critical care physicians. Direct
involvement through submitted testimony, mail campaigns, and
meetings with government officials has resulted in an increased
awareness of critical care among legislators and policy-makers, and
has strengthened the Society's role in these efforts.</P>
