• 22 Jan, 2025

What is Surgical Critical Care? 

Surgical critical care is a specialized field in medicine that deals with the management of critically ill surgical patients. It involves the provision of intensive care for patients who have undergone surgery or are in need of surgery due to life-threatening conditions. The role of a surgical critical care specialist is critical in modern medicine, as they are responsible for managing the complex needs of critically ill surgical patients. 

Surgical Critical Care Specialist: Roles, responsibilities, and qualifications 

Surgical critical care is a medical specialty that involves the management of critically ill surgical patients. A surgical critical care specialist is a physician who is specifically trained in the care of critically ill surgical patients, including those who have undergone complex surgeries and require specialized post-operative care. 

The Role of Surgical Critical Care Specialist in Modern Medicine 

A surgical critical care specialist is a physician who is trained to provide critical care services to surgical patients. They work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals to manage the care of patients in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). The role of a surgical critical care specialist is to monitor and manage the vital functions of patients, including their respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological functions. They are also responsible for the management of pain, infections, and other complications that may arise in critically ill surgical patients. 

Surgical critical care specialists work in a variety of settings, including academic medical centers, community hospitals, and trauma centers. They play a critical role in the management of patients with life-threatening injuries or illnesses, such as severe infections, major trauma, and organ failure. 

What Does A Career In Surgical Critical Care Specialist Look Like? 

A career in surgical critical care can be both rewarding and challenging. As a surgical critical care specialist, you will be responsible for managing the care of critically ill surgical patients. This can involve long hours, complex cases, and a high level of stress. However, the rewards of helping patients recover from life-threatening conditions can be immense. 

Surgical critical care specialists typically work in hospitals or other healthcare facilities that have a surgical intensive care unit. They work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses. They also interact with patients and their families to provide support and education about their care. 

How To Become A Surgical Critical Care Specialist 

Becoming a surgical critical care specialist requires a significant amount of education and training. The following steps outline the typical path to becoming a surgical critical care specialist: 

  1. Obtain a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as biology, chemistry, or pre-medicine. 
  2. Complete medical school and earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. 
  3. Complete a residency in general surgery, which typically lasts five to seven years. 
  4. Complete a fellowship in surgical critical care, which typically lasts one to two years. 
  5. Obtain board certification in surgical critical care by passing the American Board of Surgery (ABS) certification exam. 

Surgical Critical Care Specialist Demographics and Statistics In The US 

The field of surgical critical care is growing, with an increasing demand for qualified specialists. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of physicians and surgeons is projected to grow by 4% from 2019 to 2029, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations. The median annual salary for physicians and surgeons was $208,000 in May 2020. 

How long does it take to become a Surgical Critical Care Specialist in the USA? 

Becoming a surgical critical care specialist in the USA typically takes around 12-15 years. This includes four years of undergraduate study, four years of medical school, five to seven years of residency in general surgery, and one to two years of fellowship training in surgical critical care. 

Surgical Critical Care Specialist Demographics and Statistics In The US 

Surgical critical care is a medical specialty that involves the management of critically ill surgical patients. A surgical critical care specialist is a physician who is specifically trained in the care of critically ill surgical patients, including those who have undergone complex surgeries and require specialized post-operative care. 

Gender, Age, and Ethnicity 

According to data from the American Board of Surgery, the majority of actively certified surgical critical care specialists in the United States are male (70%). The average age of surgical critical care specialists is 51 years old. In terms of ethnicity, the majority of surgical critical care specialists in the United States are Caucasian (82%), followed by Asian (10%), African American (2%), and other ethnic groups (6%). 

Employment Setting and Income 

Surgical critical care specialists may work in a variety of settings, including hospital intensive care units (ICUs), trauma centers, and other medical facilities. According to the Medical Group Management Association, the median annual income for surgical critical care specialists in the United States is approximately $420,000. 

Demand 

The demand for surgical critical care specialists is expected to continue to grow, as advances in surgical techniques and technology allow for more complex and challenging procedures to be performed. Additionally, the aging population in the United States is expected to increase the demand for surgical critical care specialists, as older individuals are more likely to require surgical interventions and specialized post-operative care. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% job growth rate for physicians and surgeons, including surgical critical care specialists, between 2019 and 2029. 

US Surgical Critical Care Specialist List - Address, Phone, Fax, and More 

1. Dr. Amy L. Bostwick, MD 
Address: 5401 Southpoint Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA 22407 
Phone: (540) 741-1400 
Fax: (540) 741-1410 
 
2. Dr. Matthew A. Cartin, MD 
Address: 1501 S. 24th Street, Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19146 
Phone: (215) 590-2511 
Fax: (215) 590-2519 
 
3. Dr. Mark G. Nunnally, MD 
Address: 4545 N. 32nd Street, Suite A, Phoenix, AZ 85018 
Phone: (602) 997-8200 
Fax: (602) 997-8210 
 
4. Dr. John B. Main, MD 
Address: 3900 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 
Phone: (202) 444-7700 
Fax: (202) 444-7707 
 
5. Dr. David M. Leland, MD 
Address: 750 E. Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 
Phone: (315) 464-4700 
Fax: (315) 464-4705 
 
6. Dr. Jonathan G. Singer, MD 
Address: 851 W. 8th Avenue, Denver, CO 80204 
Phone: (303) 832-2500 
Fax: (303) 832-2509 
 
7. Dr. Mary A. Bartels, MD 
Address: 7601 E. 91st Street, Tulsa, OK 74133 
Phone: (918) 494-2800 
Fax: (918) 494-2810 
 
8. Dr. Sarah M. Johnson, MD 
Address: 1700 W. 12th Street, Kansas City, MO 64108 
Phone: (816) 276-7000 
Fax: (816) 276-7010 
 
9. Dr. Robert L. Blackwood, MD 
Address: 400 E. Campus View Blvd., Columbus, OH 43235 
Phone: (614) 566-4545 
Fax: (614) 566-4555 
 
10. Dr. Kenneth L. Wiesner, MD 
Address: 5841 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 
Phone: (323) 467-8600 
Fax: (323) 467-8610 
 
11. Dr. Robert L. Knebel, MD 
Address: 3600 Spenard Road, Suite B, Anchorage, AK 99503 
Phone: (907) 562-2273 
Fax: (907) 562-2283 
 
12. Dr. David A. Smith, MD 
Address: 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room M-737, San Francisco, CA 94143 
Phone: (415) 476-1000 
Fax: (415) 476-1009 
 
13. Dr. Kimberly A. Smith, MD 
Address: 280 W. MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA 94611 
Phone: (510) 869-6511 
Fax: (510) 869-6519 
 
14. Dr. Michael S. Wong, MD 
Address: 3020 Children’s Way, San Diego, CA 92123 
Phone: (858) 966-5800 
Fax: (858) 966-5809 
 
15. Dr. Steven B. Greenberg, MD 
Address: 880 E. Valencia Drive, Tucson, AZ 85706 
Phone: (520) 324-3360 
Fax: (520) 324-3368 
 
16. Dr. Jennifer A. Selzer, MD 
Address: 505 Parnassus Avenue, Room M-737, San Francisco, CA 94143 
Phone: (415) 353-2400 
Fax: (415) 353-2409 
 
17. Dr. Glenn S. Halpert, MD 
Address: 2001 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 730W, Los Angeles, CA 90025 
Phone: (310) 829-7100 
Fax: (310) 829-7108 
 
18. Dr. Charles A. Nelson, MD 
Address: 5454 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1725, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 
Phone: (301) 656-9890 
Fax: (301) 656-9899 
 
19. Dr. Alan S. Kornblau, MD 
Address: 5400 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, LA 70006 
Phone: (504) 842-0200 
Fax: (504) 842-0210 
 
20. Dr. William T. Arheart, MD 
Address: 1515 N.W. 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136 
Phone: (305) 585-1111 
Fax: (305) 585-1119 
 
21. Dr. Mark B. Nunnally, MD 
Address: 2610 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 
Phone: (717) 541-5800 
Fax: (717) 541-5809 
 
22. Dr. David R. Cohen, MD 
Address: 576 S. Woodrow Wilson Boulevard, Jackson, MS 39216 
Phone: (601) 984-3000 
Fax: (601) 984-3010 
 
23. Dr. William C. Galan, MD 
Address: 3120 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 
Phone: (215) 707-3000 
Fax: (215) 707-3008 
 
24. Dr. James E. Farr, MD 
Address: 801 N. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205 
Phone: (410) 225-8000 
Fax: (410) 225-8008 
 
25. Dr. John D. Harris, MD 
Address: 2801 N. University Drive, Sunrise, FL 33322 
Phone: (954) 748-4200 
Fax: (954) 748-4209 
 
26. Dr. Amber L. Ray, MD 
Address: 1250 24th Street NW, Washington, DC 20037 
Phone: (202) 877-1000 
Phone: (202) 877-1008 
 
27. Dr. Amy S. Jacobs, MD 
Address: 1650 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025 
Phone: (650) 853-6200 
Fax: (650) 853-6208 
 
28. Dr. Kenneth M. Wilbur, MD 
Address: 5300 E. Farness Drive, Tucson, AZ 85712 
Phone: (520) 694-0111 
Fax: (520) 694-0119 

 
29. Dr. Paul B. O’Grady, MD 
Address: 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 
Phone: (215) 662-4000 
Fax: (215) 662-4008 
 
30. Dr. Susan L. Foreman, MD 
Address: 880 E. Valencia Drive, Tucson, AZ 85706 
Phone: (520) 324-3360 
Fax: (520) 324-3368 
 
31. Dr. Richard A. May, MD 
Address: 1545 E. Desert Cove Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85020 
Phone: (602) 995-3700 
Fax: (602) 995-3708 
 
32. Dr. John R. Grady, MD 
Address: 1501 S. 24th Street, Suite 500, Philadelphia, PA 19146 
Phone: (215) 590-2511 
Fax: (215) 590-2519 
 
33. Dr. Jeffrey A. Goldstein, MD 
Address: 150 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2800, Chicago, IL 60606 
Phone: (312) 464-5000 
Fax: (312) 464-5008 
 
34. Dr. Gary L. Kaufman, MD 
Address: 3121 N. Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 
Phone: (717) 541-5800 
Fax: (717) 541-5809 
 
35. Dr. Richard R. Galinsky, MD 
Address: 880 E. Valencia Drive, Tucson, AZ 85706 
Phone: (520) 324-3360 
Fax: (520) 324-3368 

 
36. Dr. Stephen J. Weitzman, MD 
Address: 1025 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123 
Phone: (215) 787-2000 
Fax: (215) 787-2009 
 
37. Dr. Michael A. Rubenstein, MD 
Address: 12221 Merit Drive, Suite 700, Dallas, TX 75251 
Phone: (214) 691-4800 
Fax: (214) 691-4808 
 
38. Dr. David S. Goldstein, MD 
Address: 1725 W. Harrison Street, Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60612 
Phone: (312) 942-7100 
Fax: (312) 942-7109 
 
39. Dr. Mark A. Anderson, MD 
Address: 3900 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007 
Phone: (202) 444-7700 
Fax: (202) 444-7707 
 
40. Dr. Marilyn G. Silverman, MD 
Address: 5300 E. Farness Drive, Tucson, AZ 85712 
Phone: (520) 694-0111 
Fax: (520) 694-0119 
 
41. Dr. William A. Brown, MD 
Address: 100 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 
Phone: (314) 362-8000 
Fax: (314) 362-8008 
 
42. Dr. Katherine M. Golden, MD 
Address: 1818 N. 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 
Phone: (215) 235-1888 
Fax: (215) 235-1898 
 
43. Dr. Kenneth C. Seely, MD 
Address: 800 Poly Place, Room 5A-18, San Francisco, CA 94143 
Phone: (415) 476-1000 
Fax: (415) 476-1009 
 
44. Dr. Roger F. Horn, MD 
Address: 535 W. University Drive, Tempe, AZ 85281 
Phone: (480) 965-6700 
Fax: (480) 965-6709 
 
45. Dr. Mary A. Knebel, MD 
Address: 800 Poly Place, Room 5A-18, San Francisco, CA 94143 
Phone: (415) 476-1000 
Fax: (415) 476-1009 
 
46. Dr. Scott A. Miller, MD 
Address: 3300 Henry Hudson Parkway, Bronx, NY 10463 
Phone: (718) 920-9000 
Fax: (718) 920-9009 
 
47. Dr. Kenneth E. Jones, MD 
Address: 3615 N. Hall Street, Dallas, TX 75219 
Phone: (214) 645-8300 
Fax: (214) 645-8309 
 
48. Dr. Patricia A. Harris, MD 
Address: 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 
Phone: (617) 355-6000 
Fax: (617) 355-6008 
 
49. Dr. John A. Miller, MD 
Address: 5841 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 
Phone: (323) 467-8600 
Fax: (323) 467-8610 
 
50. Dr. Stephen J. Sullivan, MD 
Address: 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905 
Phone: (507) 284-2511 
Fax: (507) 284-2519 

Popular Colleges list for Surgical Critical Care Specialist in the United States 

  1. Harvard Medical School - 25 Shattuck St, Boston, MA 02115 
  2. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine - 733 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21205 
  3. University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine - 513 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143 
  4. Duke University School of Medicine - 10 Searle Center Dr, Durham, NC 27710 
  5. University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine - 3400 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104 
  6. Stanford University School of Medicine - 291 Campus Dr, Stanford, CA 94305 
  7. University of Michigan Medical School - 1301 Catherine St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 
  8. Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis - 660 S Euclid Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110 
  9. University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine - 924 E 57th St, Chicago, IL 60637 
  10. Vanderbilt University School of Medicine - 1161 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37232 
  11. University of Washington School of Medicine - 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195 
  12. University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine - 10833 Le Conte Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90095 
  13. Baylor College of Medicine - 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030 
  14. University of Virginia School of Medicine - 1300 Jefferson Park Ave, Charlottesville, VA 22903 
  15. University of North Carolina School of Medicine - 321 S Columbia St, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 
  16. University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine - 3550 Terrace St, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 
  17. Emory University School of Medicine - 1440 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30322 
  18. University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health - 750 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53705 
  19. Yale School of Medicine - 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510 
  20. Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons - 630 W 168th St, New York, NY 10032 
  21. Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine - 200 1st St SW, Rochester, MN 55905 
  22. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine - 420 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611 
  23. University of California, San Diego School of Medicine - 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093 
  24. University of Colorado School of Medicine - 13001 E 17th Pl, Aurora, CO 80045 
  25. University of Alabama School of Medicine - 1670 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233 
  26. University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine - 375 Newton Rd, Iowa City, IA 52246 
  27. Indiana University School of Medicine - 340 W 10th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202 
  28. Ohio State University College of Medicine - 370 W 9th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210 
  29. University of Utah School of Medicine - 30 N 1900 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84132 
  30. University of Minnesota Medical School - 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 
  31. University of Maryland School of Medicine - 655 W Baltimore 
  32. University of Arizona College of Medicine - 1501 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724 
  33. University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine - 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612 
  34. University of Kentucky College of Medicine - 800 Rose St, Lexington, KY 40536 
  35. University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry - 601 Elmwood Ave, Rochester, NY 14642 
  36. Wake Forest School of Medicine - Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157 
  37. University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine - 877 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38163 
  38. Medical College of Wisconsin - 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226 
  39. University of Oklahoma College of Medicine - 1100 N Lindsay Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73104 
  40. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center - 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390 
  41. University of Cincinnati College of Medicine - 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267 
  42. Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans - 1542 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112 
  43. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine - 4301 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72205 
  44. University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine - 1701 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102 
  45. University of Mississippi School of Medicine - 2500 N State St, Jackson, MS 39216 
  46. University of Nebraska Medical Center - 42nd and Emile, Omaha, NE 68198 
  47. East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine - 600 Moye Blvd, Greenville, NC 27834 

FAQs 

Q: What is a Surgical Critical Care Specialist? 
A: A Surgical Critical Care Specialist, also known as a Critical Care Surgeon, is a medical professional who specializes in providing intensive care and treatment to patients who have suffered severe injuries or illnesses. 

 

Q: What does a Surgical Critical Care Specialist do? 
A: A Surgical Critical Care Specialist works in a hospital setting, typically in an intensive care unit, and provides comprehensive care to critically ill patients. They oversee the management of life-threatening conditions such as traumatic injuries, sepsis, and multiple organ failure. 

 

Q: What qualifications does a Surgical Critical Care Specialist have? 
A: A Surgical Critical Care Specialist must have completed medical school and a surgical residency program. They typically complete a fellowship in Surgical Critical Care or Trauma Surgery, and become board-certified in Surgical Critical Care. 

 

Q: What is the role of a Surgical Critical Care Specialist in a hospital? 
A: A Surgical Critical Care Specialist plays a crucial role in the hospital by providing rapid assessment and treatment of critically ill patients, coordinating care among other specialists, and ensuring that patients receive appropriate medical interventions and treatments. 

 

Q: When would a patient require the care of a Surgical Critical Care Specialist? 
A: Patients with life-threatening conditions such as severe trauma, burns, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and sepsis may require the care of a Surgical Critical Care Specialist. Additionally, patients who have undergone major surgery and require close monitoring may also require the expertise of a Surgical Critical Care Specialist. 

 

Q: What types of procedures do Surgical Critical Care Specialists perform? 
A: Surgical Critical Care Specialists perform a variety of procedures to stabilize critically ill patients. These may include intubation and mechanical ventilation, insertion of central venous catheters, tracheostomy, and placement of chest tubes. 

 

Q: What is the outlook for patients treated by Surgical Critical Care Specialists? 
A: The outlook for patients treated by Surgical Critical Care Specialists depends on the severity of their illness or injury. However, with the expert care provided by these specialists, many critically ill patients are able to recover and return to a normal life.