Executive Message

I can’t believe we are already halfway into 2023! It seems like just yesterday that we were reunited in Miami. It was so nice to be in person again and finally meet in real life some of the people I have worked so closely with over the last 2-3 years. The virtual world was an excellent alternative to continue to collaborate with colleagues all over the world, but let’s never go back. Nothing beats networking and connecting in person!

I am so excited and grateful to represent PCICS as Secretary and member of the Executive Committee. After attending my first PCICS meeting in 2014, I knew I found my professional home. As a bedside nurse at the time, I didn’t feel that I was qualified for a lot of the work that was being done, but I was determined to be involved. In 2015, the committees were formed and as I was scanning through the committees, I was so excited to see what seemed like a fit for me—Connections Committee. Joining this committee has led me down paths I didn’t know existed. I have grown personally and professionally, learned what it means to collaborate with multiple disciplines and people from many different backgrounds, and made some of the best friendships. Over the last few years, PCICS has been focused on inclusion and collaboration to provide opportunities to get involved with the society for anyone that may be interested. One of the best ways to get involved is by joining a Special Interest Group (SIG). These started out as Nursing SIGs and have expanded to include Fellow/Early Career, Leadership, Nutrition, OT/PT/ST/Child Life, Pharmacy, and Respiratory Therapy. I’m proud to represent a society that sees the value in making room at the table for all the members of a patient’s care team. The SIGs are open for anyone to join at any time, so if you see something you are interested in, reach out to SIG lead or myself to get involved! You can find more information on the website.

Pediatric cardiac intensive care is often referred to as a team sport and I can’t imagine being a part of any other team! PCICS will showcase our profession during the “Olympics of our field” at the 8^th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery in Washington, D.C., on August 27-September 1, 2023. As a Societal Partner of World Congress, PCICS annual meeting content will be presented. Fourteen pediatric cardiology societies have opted to collaborate and embed their annual meeting content in World Congress during combined tracks, which will undoubtedly interest anyone caring for patients with congenital or acquired heart disease. For more information or to register, click here, and see you in D.C.!