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Leading the Future of Critical Care: Unlocking Women’s Potential in Leadershipby Shahla Siddiqui, MD, MSc, FCCM
Critical care medicine is one of the most complex and rewarding areas in healthcare. It is a specialty that thrives on decisive action, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead diverse teams under intense pressure. In this high-stakes environment, leadership is not simply a title—it is a commitment to advancing patient care, research, and education.
Women physicians have been steadily increasing their presence in critical care, both in training programs and clinical practice. Yet, leadership opportunities in this field remain an area of tremendous potential. The question is no longer whether women can lead in critical care—it is how we can best equip and support them to do so.
A recent comprehensive review published in Critical Care Explorations shines a spotlight on this very question. Authored by members of the SOCCA Women in Critical Care group, the study—Siddiqui, Shahla MBBS, MSc, FCCM; Gali, Bhargavi MD, MHA; Cotter, Elizabeth MD; Short, Margo MD; McNichol, Megan; Mulaikal, Teresa A. MD; Cassavaugh, Jessica MD, PhD; Chow, Jarva MD, MS, MPH, FASA; Russell, Cortessa MD; Golhar, Shweta Y. MD; Ben-Jacob, Talia K. MD, MS, FCCM. Women Physicians in Leadership Roles in Critical Care Medicine or Academic Medicine—A Systematic Literature Review. Critical Care Explorations 7(4):p e1249, April 2025. DOI: 10.1097/CCE.0000000000001249—offers valuable insights into how we can shape the future of leadership in critical care.
The Review at a Glance
The review analyzed 892 studies published between 2011 and 2024, ultimately including 39 that met strict criteria for relevance. While only two studies focused specifically on critical care medicine (CCM), the broader findings from academic medicine offer valuable lessons.
The authors identified key themes that influence the trajectory of women into leadership roles:
Rather than focusing on barriers, the review emphasizes the systems and strategies that have already shown promise in supporting women’s advancement.
Why Leadership in Critical Care Matters
Leadership in critical care is uniquely impactful. Leaders influence patient care protocols, direct research priorities, and shape the professional development of entire teams. In academic settings, leadership roles also drive curriculum design, fellowship training, and institutional policy.
When leadership draws from a broad talent pool—including the many highly capable women in the field—it fosters:
The expansion of women’s leadership in CCM is not only an equity objective; it is a strategic priority for the specialty’s continued excellence.
The Pipeline: From Training to Leadership
The past decade has seen steady growth in the proportion of women in critical care training programs—rising from 26% to nearly 37%—and an increase from 14% to 26% among practicing intensivists. This creates an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen the leadership pipeline.
The review notes that pipeline strength depends on:
Mentorship and Sponsorship: Catalysts for Advancement
Mentorship is repeatedly identified as one of the most powerful accelerators of career growth. Effective mentors provide guidance on navigating complex systems, balancing clinical duties with academic pursuits, and preparing for leadership responsibilities.
Sponsorship goes a step further—mentors advocate directly for their mentees, nominating them for committees, speaking opportunities, and leadership positions. This active promotion can significantly shorten the time it takes to move from early career to leadership roles.
Programs like ELAM (Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine) serve as national models for structured mentorship and leadership development, producing graduates who often assume high-impact positions in academic and clinical leadership.
Institutional Support: Creating the Conditions for Success
The review highlights institutional policies and resources as essential to sustaining leadership readiness. Examples include:
Such measures not only benefit women but also improve retention and satisfaction across the entire critical care workforce.
Visibility: Building Professional Presence
Leadership readiness is enhanced when physicians are visible in their field. This includes:
The review points to a direct connection between visibility in academic and professional arenas and subsequent appointment to leadership roles.
A Collective Effort
Strengthening women’s leadership in critical care is not a solo endeavor—it is a collective mission. Professional societies, academic departments, healthcare institutions, and individual leaders all have a role to play.
By cultivating leadership skills early, providing mentorship and sponsorship, and ensuring supportive institutional structures, the specialty can make the most of its full talent pool.
Importantly, the authors note that leadership development is not just about filling positions. It is about creating leaders who will drive innovation, enhance patient care, and mentor the next generation—sustaining the specialty’s growth for decades to come.
Looking Ahead
The findings from the Women in Critical Care review provide both a snapshot of the current landscape and a roadmap for future action. Expanding women’s leadership in CCM requires ongoing commitment to:
As the authors conclude, the potential for growth in women’s leadership in critical care is immense. With intentional strategies, the specialty can ensure that its future leaders reflect the full breadth of talent, skill, and vision within the field.
Citation: AuthorShahla Siddiqui, MD, MSc, FCCM
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