Asjad Khan, David Muigai, Ajoy Kapoor, Peter Mynn, Adrian Salmon

Ann Snyder, husband Jim Snyder, Ann Thompson

Queenie D'Costa, DJ Huang, Steve Robert, Ericka Fink, Lillian Su

Mitchell Fink

This year’s annual Alumni Reunion in the Orange Blossom Room of the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, turned out to be as memorable as ever. There was representation from alumni now practicing in at least 8 different countries including the United States. Also attending were current faculty and fellows representing all departments.

After drinks and delicious hors d’oeuvres were served, the formal part of the evening started with a warm welcome message from Dr. Ann Thompson (Acting Chair MCCTP). She began by thanking everyone for being there and she went on to note that having such a stellar international attendance was something the program could be proud of. She then welcomed Dr. Mitch Fink (Chairman, MCCTP) to the floor.

Dr. Fink pointed out the large and integral role that alumni and current faculty and fellows have been playing in the ongoing annual SCCM Congress is proof that the program has produced high quality Intensivists over the years. He noted our critical care medicine program continues to play a significant national and international role in innovation, research, and education. He went on to single out Dr. Ake Grenvik for special mention because of his very important role as one of the founding faculty of the MCCTP Program. In keeping with the value the program placed on Dr. Grenvik’s contribution, he informed the alumni of ongoing plans to set up the Ake Grenvik Chair. These plans are at an advanced stage with 75% of the $2 million required already raised. The alumni, past and present, were urged to play a big part in the raising of the final $500,000. To this end, Dr. James Snyder, coordinator of the fundraising effort, made all attendees and those other alumni not present at the reunion aware that their donations are very welcome.

Next on the podium was Dr. Ake Grenvik who acknowledged the presence of alumni currently practicing and representing the program outside the United States namely those from India, Greece, Poland and Canada; and he noted their pioneering role in critical care medicine education and research in their various countries. He went on to express how proud he is of what the program has achieved thus far, both in the US and internationally. He noted that by ensuring the training and nurturing of superb Intensivists, the program has succeeded in influencing the practice of critical care indelibly. In order for alumni to continue having a close interaction with the program, he announced that full access to the MCCTP website would be granted to all alumni to allow them to take an active part in all the educational, research and social activities of the program.