Alexander O. Sy, MD, MBA, MSL, FCCM, is a staff pulmonary and critical care physician at the Loma Linda VA Medical Center and a professor at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, California, USA. He is a member of the Subspecialty Board of Critical Care Medicine for the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is a past president of the NC Chapter of the American Thoracic Society. He joined the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) in 1991 and has participated in many committees, most recently the Membership Committee. He was also a contributing author to both editions of the SCCM book Integrating Advanced Practice Providers Into the ICU. His clinical interests include administration, professional development, and quality and patient safety. During his free time, he enjoys golf, reading, and traveling. Learn more about Dr. Sy and his love for critical care.
Why do you love being in critical care?
The field of critical care provides the opportunity to directly impact the care of the sickest patients from a holistic point of view.
How did you get into critical care?
After completing my internal medicine residency, I completed a two-year fellowship in critical care medicine. I initially planned to do a cardiology fellowship after this but changed my course and instead completed another two-year fellowship in pulmonary medicine.
What advice do you have for those starting their critical care careers?
Critical care is a lifelong learning career. Never stop learning.
What do you see as the most challenging issue facing critical care?
The most challenging issues are staffing and sustainability without adequate resources.
What is your biggest professional achievement?
My biggest achievement was returning to school and earning my MBA while in practice. Afterward, I returned to school a third time and earned my master of studies in law for health law and policy.
What are the top advances in critical care since you started your career?
One of the top advances has been acknowledging the importance of a multiprofessional approach to critical care. Another top advance has been the change to the practice of using pulmonary artery catheters routinely in critically ill patients.
What do you love about SCCM membership?
My SCCM membership allows me to network and meet colleagues in the field of critical care.
Connect with
@Alexander Sy on SCCM Connect.