President's Message

by Linda Liu, MD
President, SOCCA
University of California, San Francisco, CA

Volume 37 | Issue 3 | Sept 2026

It is a privilege to serve as President of the Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists (SOCCA) during such an exciting time in medicine. Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming part of our everyday work, from clinical decision support and documentation to research and predictive analytics. In critical care, many of us are already seeing the benefits. We can create a discharge summary with a single click, saving valuable time.

As AI continues to evolve, it has enormous potential to improve patient care and make our work more efficient. At the same time, we need to be thoughtful about how we incorporate these tools into practice. AI should support, but clearly not replace, clinical judgment in the care of critically ill patients. Perhaps the bigger question is how we teach the next generation of physicians to embrace these technologies while still learning the art of medicine.

I believe SOCCA is uniquely positioned to help lead this conversation. Through our educational programs, collaborative research, and our members' expertise, we can better understand these emerging technologies, evaluate their impact, and integrate them responsibly into patient care. The articles in this issue explore many of these topics, and I hope they spark meaningful discussion. I encourage you to enjoy this AI-focused edition of Interchange.

Beyond this issue's theme, SOCCA has had a busy and productive year. Our Board Review Course was another tremendous success.  Over 30 members volunteered as presenters or moderators. This remains one of SOCCA's flagship educational programs.

Looking ahead, I'm excited to share one of SOCCA's newest initiatives: the development of a SOCCA ICU Guide, with publication planned for 2027. We were truly overwhelmed by the response to our call for editors. The number of outstanding applicants reflected the remarkable talent and commitment within our Society. After a thoughtful selection process, I am pleased to announce that Dr. Babar Fiza will serve as Editor, joined by Associate Editors Dr. Geoffrey Lighthall, Dr. Dusan Hanidziar, and Dr. Jean Kwo. Together with contributors from across our specialty, they will create what we expect to be an invaluable practical resource for both faculty and trainees working in critical care. I look forward to sharing more as this project progresses.

I'm also happy to report that SOCCA remains on a strong financial footing. This allows us to continue investing in the educational opportunities and resources that benefit our members. In the coming year, we have an outstanding lineup of webinars, journal clubs, ultrasound case conferences, and our Annual Meeting. These programs reflect SOCCA's ongoing commitment to advancing critical care anesthesiology and supporting our members throughout every stage of their careers.

The greatest strength of SOCCA has always been its members. I hope you'll join us during the ASA Annual Meeting for two SOCCA member events on Saturday, October 17, 2026. We'll kick things off with the SOCCA Meet-up from 1:30–2:15 p.m., followed by the SOCCA Social from 4:00–5:00 p.m. These gatherings are a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, welcome new members, and simply enjoy spending time together. We'll share additional details as the meeting approaches, and I hope to see many of you there.

Thank you for your continued involvement and support of SOCCA. It is an exciting time for our specialty, and I am grateful to be part of this community alongside all of you.