Ilana Harwayne-Gidansky, MA, MD, FCCM, is a physician at Bernard & Millie Duker Children's Hospital in Albany, New York, USA. She became a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) in 2012 and is a member of the Pediatric Critical Care Medicine editorial board. Additionally, she is the vice-chair of the Social Media Committee and a member of the Multidisciplinary Critical Care Knowledge Assessment Program, Pediatrics. Her clinical interests include pediatrics, quality and patient safety, and resuscitation. Outside the intensive care unit, you will find her reading, traveling, and running. Dr. Harwayne-Gidansky shares her love for the field alongside advice for those just starting out.
Why do you love being in critical care?
It allows me to make a life-changing difference in the lives of our patients and their families. What inspires me most about this field is how deeply it relies on the strengths of every single member of the multidisciplinary team. We couldn’t provide the care we do without the unique contributions of each person on the team, and I’m constantly reminded of the power of collaboration.
I also treasure the relationships we build with families during some of their most challenging moments. It’s an incredible privilege to care for our patients every day, and I’m so grateful to be part of a profession that makes such a profound impact.
How did you get into critical care?
There have been countless touchpoints in my life that have guided me toward pediatric critical care. Intellectually, I was captivated by the intricate interplay between pathophysiology and the social-emotional well-being that defines this field. For me, this space felt like the one where I could have the most meaningful effect on my patients’ lives.
In pediatric critical care, we encounter our patients during the most precarious and pivotal moments, where the care we provide can mean the difference between life and death. I believe that this field offers the most optimal balance of intellectual challenge, personal fulfillment, and a deep interpersonal connection—both with patients and their families and within the collaborative dynamics of our team.
What advice do you have for those starting their critical care careers?
A career in critical care is a humbling one. While I continuously learn from my mentors, I also draw lessons from our entire team—respiratory therapists, nurses, and most importantly, our patients. To thrive and sustain a career in critical care, it’s essential to embrace a mindset of growth and learning at every opportunity.
For those just starting their journey in critical care, my advice is to build a strong support system. Seek out mentors for different purposes; there’s so much to gain from individuals across various professions, stages of their careers, and even different institutions. Everyone has something unique to offer, and the collective wisdom of a diverse support network can shape the path of your career.
What do you see as the most challenging issue facing critical care?
The workforce challenges we’ve faced in recent years have been incredibly difficult. How do we continue to provide the highest quality of care to our children when we’re struggling to adequately staff and care for our own workforce? Addressing these deep, systemic issues while also fostering individual resilience can at times feel like an almost impossible balance to strike.
Another significant challenge is the delicate balance between ensuring patient safety and providing our learners with the best possible education. With the evolving competency standards, how do we equip trainees with the skills and experience they need while protecting our patients? These are complex problems without easy solutions, but they’re essential questions that we, as a community, must continue to address.
What do you love about SCCM Membership?
Being a member of SCCM has been transformative for both my professional journey and personal growth. Through our incredible SCCM community, I’ve had the opportunity to build meaningful connections that have evolved into lifelong friendships. The society facilitates optimal collaboration and collegiality and has – for me- created the perfect environment for me to grow and thrive.
Beyond staying current with the latest research, SCCM has opened doors for me to actively participate in impactful research projects. These experiences have allowed me to expand my contributions beyond the walls of my own institution, working toward improving care for critically ill children everywhere. SCCM is more than just a professional society to me—it’s a community that inspires me to keep growing and learning.
Connect with @Ilana Harwayne-Gidansky on SCCM!