Surgical Critical Care Program Directors Society Inc

Overview

The Surgical Critical Care Program Directors Society Inc. (SCCPDS) is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the training and education of surgical critical care professionals. Founded initially through informal meetings in 2003, it was formally incorporated in 2008 as a 501(c)(6) organization[1][3].

Mission

SCCPDS aims to promote the highest standards of surgical critical care training. It provides assistance and support to program directors focused on surgical critical care education[4][5]. The organization is committed to academic leadership, professional growth opportunities, continuing education, and networking for both current and future surgical critical care professionals[1].

History

Surgical critical care was formally recognized as a specialty by the American Board of Surgery in 1986. However, it took several decades to develop a formal national training structure. SCCPDS played a pivotal role in this development by creating a formal curriculum and establishing a unified system for fellowship applications[3]. Over the years, SCCPDS has collaborated with other groups, such as the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) and the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), to enhance training programs and increase recruitment for surgical critical care fellowships[3].

Membership and Activities

Membership is open to program directors of ACGME-accredited surgical critical care fellowship programs, as well as associate program directors and other leadership roles within these institutions[2]. SCCPDS holds annual meetings, often in conjunction with major surgical conferences, to facilitate networking and professional development among its members[2]. The organization also participates in educational webinars and workshops to support the educational needs of its members and Surgical Critical Care Fellows[2].

Impact

SCCPDS has contributed significantly to the growth and standardization of surgical critical care training in the United States. Its initiatives have led to increased participation in surgical critical care fellowships, with approximately one in six general surgery graduates pursuing this path[3]. The organization continues to evolve and expand its influence through collaborative efforts with other medical societies and ongoing educational initiatives[3].