Aimee M. Abide PA-C, MMSc, FCCM, is a physician assistant at Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. She became a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) in 2014 and is a past chair of the Undergraduate Education Committee. She is on the American College of Critical Care Medicine (ACCM) Board of Regents and is the ACCM Board of Regents liaison for the In-Training Section. Her clinical interests include administration, professional development, and quality and patient safety. In her free time, you’ll find her gardening and working out.
Why do you love being in critical care?
It allows me to make a meaningful impact in the most challenging moments of a patient’s life, using my skills to stabilize, treat, and advocate for them and their families. The dynamic, fast-paced environment keeps me constantly learning and evolving, ensuring that I provide the best possible care in high-stakes situations.
How did you get into critical care?
I was drawn to critical care early in my career because of its complexity, intensity, and the opportunity to make a real difference in patients’ lives. My path was shaped by incredible mentors, hands-on learning, and a deep passion for problem-solving in high-stakes situations, ultimately leading me to dedicate my career to both patient care and training the next generation of critical care advanced practice providers (APPs).
What is your biggest professional achievement?
My biggest professional achievement has been codirecting the Emory Critical Care APP Fellowship, where I have had the privilege of shaping critical care APPs through rigorous training, mentorship, and advocacy. Seeing our graduates grow into confident, skilled clinicians who advance the field of critical care medicine is the most rewarding part of my career.
What advice do you have for those starting their critical care careers?
My best advice is to embrace every learning opportunity with humility and persistence—confidence will come with time and experience. Seek out strong mentors, ask thoughtful questions, and never stop refining your clinical skills, as the best critical care clinicians are those who remain lifelong learners and adaptable team players.
What do you see as the most challenging issue facing critical care?
One of the most challenging issues is the growing shortage of experienced critical care clinicians, including APPs and physicians, which strains ICU teams and negatively impacts patient care. Additionally, balancing the increasing complexity of critically ill patients with ever-evolving technology, resource limitations, and clinician burnout makes it more difficult than ever to sustain high-quality, compassionate care.
What are the top advances in critical care since you started your career?
Since 2000, several groundbreaking advances have transformed critical care medicine, improving patient outcomes and ICU management:
· Targeted temperature management: The adoption of therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest has significantly improved neurologic outcomes.
· Ultrasound-guided procedures: Widespread use of point-of-care ultrasound has enhanced bedside diagnostics and procedural safety.
· Sepsis management and early goal-directed therapy: Landmark programs such as the Surviving Sepsis Campaign have standardized early recognition and treatment of sepsis, reducing mortality.
· Lung-protective ventilation and management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): Low tidal volume ventilation strategies and advances such as proning in patients with ARDS (e.g., PROSEVA trial) have improved survival rates.
What industry trends excite you about the future?
I’m particularly excited about the integration of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to enhance early deterioration detection and optimize ICU workflows. Additionally, the growing emphasis on multiprofessional education and expanded APP roles in leadership, research, and critical care delivery is paving the way for more efficient, high-quality patient care while addressing workforce shortages.
What do you love about SCCM membership?
As an SCCM member for over a decade, I have valued the unparalleled access to cutting-edge critical care education, networking, and professional development opportunities that have helped shape my career and elevate the role of APPs in the ICU. The Society’s commitment to multiprofessional collaboration and APP leadership development ensures that we have a strong voice in shaping the future of critical care medicine.
Connect with @Aimee Abide!