SCCM has come of age and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2011. In spite of the current world wide financial dilemma, the 2009 congress drew 4,200 participants to Nashville, where it was held at the magnificent Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Some 500 registrants from 45 different countries with a large number of the presented 766 abstracts [orally or as posters (28 from Pitt!)] came from all over the world.  This clearly emphasized the international character of this society and its annual meetings. The opening reception took place at the Nashville Hall of Fame. The motto for this year's congress was "I am SCCM," colorfully displayed on the stage with quotes from hundreds of SCCM members each morning before starting the sessions. This year’s program introduced annual plenary lectures in honor of four special founders: Drs. Max Harry Weil, Peter Safar, William Shoemaker and Ake Grenvik.

The beautiful Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. “I am SCCM” banner in background covered with portraits of Critical Care legends. 

Chief CCM Fellow, Dr. Erick Itoman with his wife, Laurene, at the hotel’s indoor garden.

Ake Grenvik Honorary Lecture by Dr. Paul Rogers
In a full room with thousands in attendance, Dr. Paul Rogers was invited to present the inaugural Ake Grenvik Honorary Lecturer at the 2009 SCCM Annual Congress. He gave an insightful plenary session titled “Teaching Medicine is an Art, Valuing it is Critical.” Dr. Rogers specifically discussed the six ACGME general competencies, innovative educational modalities, evaluation tools to measure learner performance, and the importance of recognizing and reward teaching excellence. This was the ultimate example of successful teaching sending a worldwide message on the importance of first class teaching with a recommendation to our medical schools to consider teaching on the same high level as research. Immediately after stepping off the stage, a crowd of Pittsburgh CCM graduates, other practicing intensivists, and educators congratulated him.

Dr. Paul Rogers speaking as the inaugural Ake Grenvik Honorary Lecturer during his plenary speech.

Dr. Paul Rogers with Dr. Ake Grenvik after his plenary lecture.

Peter Safar Memorial Lecture by Dr. Peter Holbrook
The first Peter Safar Memorial Lecture was initiated this year as an annual event. Dr. Peter Holbrook, a former President of SCCM gave an outstanding presentation on “Critical Care: A Milepost on the Journey to True Healthcare Reform” to a packed auditorium of healthcare providers involved in critical care medicine. Dr. Holbrook is a distinguished Pitt Pediatric CCM Fellow alumnus. Upon graduation, he became Chief of the Pediatric CCM Division at the National Children’s Hospital in Washington, DC.  Serving eminently, Dr. Holbrook rapidly escalated to Professor of Pediatrics. He has served as Chief Medical Officer for more than 12 years at of what is now called Children’s National Medical Center. 

Dr. Peter Holbrook giving his plenary lecture.

Collection of Peter Safar photos displayed during Holbrook’s speech.

Lecture on the Importance of the Nitrite Anion by  Dr. Gladwin of Pitt
Dr. Mark Gladwin, our new Division Chief of Division Chief of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, was invited by the SCCM to present a plenary session on “Haldane, Hot Dogs and Halitosis: The Emerging Biology of the Nitrite Anion in Physiology and Therapeutics.” He gave an outstanding lecture on his extensive research in this field at the NIH.

Other Invited Pitt Faculty
In addition to Drs. Derek Angus, Peter Holbrook, and Paul Rogers, the following Pitt CCM Faculty and Alumni were invited as lecturers contributing with outstanding presentations and making Pitt CCM presence almost overwhelming:

Marie Baldisseri, Joseph Carcillo, Robert Clark, Bradley Fuhrman, John Kellum, Peter Linden, Paul Marik, Eric Milbrandt, Michael Pinsky, Mary Jane Reed, Marc Shapiro, Ann Thompson, Samuel Tisherman, Shekhar Venkataraman, Randy Wax and Hector Wang,

Annual MCCTP Alumni Reception
The theme for the University of Pittsburgh Alumni Reception was “Latin Street Festival.” Lobster tail, ceviche, moist steak, and a full dessert bar were just a small sample of the feast presented. New and old alumni were all too happy to see each other as memories and updates were passed from person to person. Roars and cheers came and went like the tide as everyone watched Super Bowel XLIII on the TV during the reunion. It was clear that the cheers favored Pittsburgh. Black and Gold were the predominate colors. Although the biggest game of the year was on the “tube,” it became clear that the real star of the night was the company. Not one person was affixed to the game, alone, as everyone seemed more interested in rekindling their relationships. Another successful alumni reception!

Current Critical Care Medicine Fellow, David Hecht, and wife, Heather, enjoying themselves at the annual MCCTP Alumni Reception.

(Left to right) Hulya Bayir, Ann Thompson, David Kramer, Abrar Khan, and David Nunley.

Colleagues, John Kellum and Marie Baldisseri.

(Left to right) Larry Kaufman, Randy Wax, Sava Nenic, and Paul Rogers taking advantage of the Latin cuisine.

Scott Gunn and wife, Sherry, with Ake Grenvik, showing their support for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Dr. Derek Angus, Distinguished Investigator of the Year Awardee
Dr. Derek Angus was honored as Distinguished Investigator of the Year at the 38th SCCM Annual Congress. The prestigious recognition is awarded to an established investigator whose research in the field of critical care medicine has significantly contributed to the treatment and/or understanding of critically ill patients. Dr. Angus gave a thought-provoking speech titled “Change.” He highlighted future challenges, the importance of anticipating these challenges, opportunities & corollary pitfalls, and outlined the steps the society and members must embrace in leading the charge through the dynamic ICU environment. Dr. Angus is the fourth Pitt CCM member to receive this award, preceded by Drs. Peter Safar, Patrick Kochanek, and Mitchell Fink.

Dr. Derek Angus celebrating his award as Distinguished Investigator of the Year after the ACCM ceremony.

ACCM Convocation
Previous Pittsburgh CCM graduates were honored with selection as Fellows in the ACCM. Larry Kaufman (1985-1987), Christopher Hughes (1987-1989), David Nunley (1996-1997), and Scott Gunn (2000-2001) attended the convocation ceremony held at the 2009 SCCM Annual Congress as Derek Angus gave an inspirational speech of “change” addressing the fellows and society. Fellows in the ACCM have to demonstrate leadership, participation in programs or systems development, and active participation in education, critical care practice, and research. We extend our congratulations to Drs. Gunn, Hughes, and Kaufman.  This year, the annual Grenvik Family Award for Ethics in CCM went to Dr. Michael Rie.  Presidential Citation awards were presented to Drs. Marie Baldisseri, Nicholas Bircher, Robert Clark, Marilyn Hravnak, Eric Milbrandt, and Samuel Tisherman.

Pittsburgh Critical Care Medicine alumni Chris Hughes (left) & Larry Kaufman (right), celebrated with Ake & Inger Grenvik, after the Convocation ceremony as new ACCM fellows.

Dr. Scott Gunn congratulated as a new ACCM Fellow by his wife, Sherry.

Staring “Dr. David Crippen” at the Fiddle and Steel Guitar Bar
After a stimulating day at the conference, the Pittsburgh CCM faculty & fellows enjoyed one of their own at the Fiddle and Steel Guitar Bar. Dr. David Crippen, Medical Director of the Neurosurgical ICU at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, is known for his blazing guitar playing. That night he jammed with his band, a hodgepodge of neurointensivists, formally know as the “CODES.” A friendly crowd crammed the dance floor, and everyone had a blast. Dr. Crippen is a testament to the diverse group we call the “Pittsburgh Family.”

Dr. David Crippen (left) on stage with his band “The CODES” at the Fiddle and Steel Guitar bar.

(Left to right) Current fellow, Dave Hecht with alumni David Muigai & Anil Singh at the Fiddle and Steel Guitar bar.

Abstract Presentations by Pitt CCM Fellows and Faculty Members
Nine pediatric critical care fellows gave eleven presentations at the congress.  This included three oral presentations by Derek Mueller, Ajit Sarnaik, and David Shellington, and eight poster presentations.  Five of these presentations were by T-32 supported trainees.  A notable highlight among this was fellow Rosanne Salonia, who presented an impressive three posters.  In addition, faculty member Hulya Bayir gave an oral presentation in the abstract session.

Another significant new item from this body of work is that Michael Bell, Director of Neurointensive Care at CHP and Safar Center Associate Director was the mentor to a remarkable 8 presentations by fellows, technicians, and other trainees at the congress--addressing bench to bedside work in CNS injury in his laboratory.  Of special note, University of Pittsburgh second year medical student Veronica Ortiz gave a masterful oral presentation of her work on brain temperature monitoring and hypothermia in pediatric traumatic brain injury.  Congratulations to these talented trainees in pediatric neurointensive care.

Oral Presentations:

• Hulya Bayir, Karen Walson, Rajesh Aneja, Joseph Carcillo, Alexandr Kapralov, Irina Vlasova, Weihong Feng, Akihiro Maeda, Valerian Kagan, James Fortenberry:  A novel for haptoglobin and hemoglobin complexes in sepsis: peroxidaes activity, depletion of nitric oxide and uptake by macrophages.  Crit Care Med 36:A39, 2008.

• Derk A. Mueller, Nicole Toney, Roya Tehranian, Michael J. Bell:  Intrauterine inflammation decreases oligodendrocytes within the developing white matter in mice--A preliminary report.  Crit Care Med 36:A32, 2008.

• Ajit Sarnaik, Ava Puccio, Ericka Fink, Yvette Conley, David Okonkwo, Patrick Kochanek, Robert Clark:  Genotype-phenotype relationships of PARP-1 polymorphisms after traumatic brain injury.  Crit Care Med 36:A11, 2008.

• David K. Shellington, Xianren Wu, Jennifer Exo, Vince Vagni, Keri Feldman, Robert Clark, Hulya Bayir, C.E. Dixon, Larry Jenkins, Patrick Kochanek, Li Ma, Carleton Hsia, Abe Abuchowski:  Polynitroxylated pegylated hemoglobin for the acute limited fluid resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock after traumatic brain injury in mice.  Crit Care Med 36:A5, 2008.

• Roya Tehranian, Derk Mueller, Nicole Toney, Michael J. Bell:  Astroycte respone to intrauterine inflammation. Crit Care Med 36:A4, 2008.

• Veronica Ortiz, P. David Adelson, S. Danielle Brown, Patrick M. Kochanek, Robert S. Clark, Hulya Bayir, Michael J. Bell:  Brain temperature effects on brain oxygenation in children after traumatic brain injury are not clinically-significant.  Crit Care Med 36:A12, 2008.

Poster Presentations:

• Rebecca Smith, John Lin, P. David Adelson, Patrick Kochanek, Ericka Fink, Stephen Wisniewski, Hulya Bayir, Robert S. Clark, Danielle Brown, Michael J. Bell:  Effects of hyperglycemia and insulin administration on outcome in severe traumatic brain injury in children. Crit Care Med 36:A45, 2008.

• Rosanne Salonia, Robert Clark, S. Danielle Brown, P. David ADelson, Michael Bell, Patrick Kochanek, Philip Empey, Samuel Polooyac, Megan Klamerus:  The effect of therapeutic hypothermia on cerebrospinal fluid endothelin-1 in children after severe traumatic brain injury.  Crit Care Med 36:A121, 2008.

• Joan Sanchez de Toledo, R. Scott Watson, Patrick M. Kochanek, Robert S.B. Clark, Michael J. Bell, P.D. Adelson, Barbara Gaines:  Relationship between pancreatitis and cerebral events in children after traumatic brain injury.  Crit Care Med 36:A121, 2008.

The 2009 Annual Nursing and Administration Awards

Sheila Alexander, PhD, RN and Assistant Professor of Acute/Tertiary Care received the Nursing Section Award for her work with Samuel Poloyac, PharmD, PhD and the pharmacy group at Pitt on subarachnoid hemorrhage in the neuro ICU.

• Sheila A. Alexander, Leslie Hoffman, Dianxu Ren, Yvette Conley, Samuel M. Poloyac, Jeffrey Balzer, Amin Kassam, Matthew Gallek: Nitric oxide pathway biomarkers of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage.  Crit Care Med 2008; 36:A11.

The 2009 Annual Administration Specialty Award went to CG Schmitt, KL Crowley, PT Nguyen, DL Howrie, D Berry, J Goff for their poster entitled “Financial Impact of Critical Care Pharmacists’ Interventions at a Tertiary Pediatric Hospital.”