World PICU Awareness Week

WFPICCS’ key advocacy activity relates to the World PICU Awareness Week and World PICU Day. These activities exist to raise awareness about #PedsICU in general and any important themes impacting the specialty by engaging members and key stakeholders in awareness and advocacy activities at a global and regional level.

Past World PICU Awareness Weeks

Theme: Technology and Innovation in PICU

The aim of this year’s campaign is to raise global awareness about the importance of PICUs and critical care wards in every corner of the world, emphasizing how healthcare professionals in these units, regardless of resource setting, are driving change. From high-resource institutions to rural clinics, PICU teams have been finding innovative solutions to provide the best care for children. We need to highlight how technology and innovation are not confined to wealthy nations but are thriving in diverse settings, showcasing the universal drive to make a difference in pediatric care.

Key Messages

Technology is Universal, Not Exclusive

Across the globe, healthcare professionals in resource-limited settings are finding creative solutions to provide life-saving care for children.

Innovation is Born from Necessity

We aim to showcase the resourcefulness of Pediatric Critical Care professionals who, in challenging environments, create impactful solutions to improve pediatric care.

Global Solidarity and Collaboration

This campaign invites all professionals, no matter where they are, to share their stories and strategies to improve child health.

Committe Members

Chairs: 

  • Orsola Gawronski, Italy;
  • Ririe Fachrina Malisie, Indonesia
  • Qalab Abbas, Pakistan
  • Cintia Johnston, Brazil

Members:

  • Arun Bansal, India
  • Lisa Brown
  • Lorena Acevedo, Colombia
  • Luca Marchetto, Italy
  • Manu Sundaram, Qatar
  • Manuel Soriano, Mexico
  • Mark Ansermino, Canada
  • Mia Sheehan, Canada
  • Seerat Kapoor, USA
  • Tex Kissoon, Canada
  • Yolanda Lopez Fernandez, Spain

Theme: ICU Liberation Bundle

Each region focuses on a different letter of the bundle.  Thanks to our collaboration with OPENPediatrics, every day during World PICU Awareness Week a podcast will be released by a different region sharing their experience.

Key Messages

Promote best practices in ICU liberation

Share global experiences implementing the ICU Liberation Bundle to improve outcomes for critically ill children

Explore regional approaches

Highlight how different regions adapt each element of the bundle to their local context, from sedation and delirium management to family involvement and nutrition

Strengthen learning and collaboration

Connect the global PICU community through podcasts, webinars, and events to encourage exchange of practical insights and challenges in liberation care

Committe Members

Chairs: 

  • Orsola Gawronski, Italy;
  •  Idah Sendagala, Uganda
  • Qalab Abbas, Pakistan

Members:

  • Kuban Naidoo, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Robin Saggers, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Joel Limand, AHP, Singapore, Asia
  • Liying Yang, AHP, Singapore, Asia
  • Lynne Latten, AHP, UK, Europe
  • Lyvonne Tume, Nurse, UK, Europe
  • Cintia Johnston, AHP, Brazil, Latin America
  • Lorena Acevedo, Physician, Colombia, Latin America
  • Elis de Pellegrin Rossi, AHP, Brazil, Latin America
  • Kate Madden, Physician, USA, North America
  • Heidi Smith, Physician, USA, North America
  • Karen Choong, Physician, Canada, North America

Theme: Sepsis

Each region chose a topic and activity relevant to them. Listen by region in alphabetical order.

Key Messages

Increase global awareness of pediatric sepsis

Share knowledge on the early recognition, treatment, and prevention of sepsis to improve outcomes for critically ill children.

Highlight regional perspectives and challenges

Showcase how cultural, social, and resource differences shape sepsis care in PICUs around the world.

Foster collaboration and learning

Connect clinicians, researchers, and families through podcasts, webinars, and discussions to exchange experiences and strengthen global strategies against sepsis.

Committe Members

Chairs:
  • Orsola Gawronski, Nurse, Italy
  • Idah Sendagala, AHP, Uganda
  • Qalab Abbas, Physician, Pakistan
Members:
  • Mary Lihinie deAlmeida, Physician, USA, North America
  • Rebecca Silvers, Nurse, USA, North America
  • Renad Abu-Sawwa, AHP – Clinical pharmacist, USA, North America
  • Kelly Sheridan, AHP – Dietician, USA, North America
  • Nicole McKinnon, Physician, Canada, North America
  • Nicole Gilbert, AHP – Dietician, Canada, North America
  • Parveen Kaur, AHP, Singapore, Asia
  • Yujiro Matsuishi, Nurse, Japan, Asia
  • Poh Pei Fen, Nurse, Singapore, Asia
  • Deepika Harish, Nurse, India, Asia
  • Milind Jambagi, Physician, India, Asia
  • Rakshay Shetty, Physician, India
  • Hwa Jin Cho, Physician, South Korea, Asia
  • Rodelia G. Cipriano, Physician, The Philippines, Asia
  • Alvin C. Florentino, Physician, The Philippines, Asia
  • Qalab Abbas, Physician, Pakistan, Asia
  • Sidra Ishaque, Physician, Pakistan, Asia
  • Xiaoyang Hong, Physician, China, Asia
  • Brenda Morrow, AHP, South Africa, Africa
  • Idah Sendagala, AHP, Uganda, Africa
  • Halalisani Ngema, AHP – Social Work, South Africa
  • Irene Chueu, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Charlyne Kilba, Physician, Ghana, Africa
  • Jenala Njiram’madzi, Physician, Malawi, Africa
  • Laura Ajidiru, AHP, Uganda, Africa
  • Stella Elikplim Lawerteh, AHP, Ghana, Africa
  • Dorothy Adjabu, AHP, Ghana, Africa
  • Asma Salloo, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Prakash M. Jeena, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Rudo Mathivha, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Stehilia Tshukutsoane, Nurse, South Africa, Africa
  • Lincoln Solomon, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Noor Parker, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Halalisani Ngema, AHP – Social work, South Africa, Africa
  • Marleen Petersen, Nurse, South Africa, Africa
  • Bernadet Francis, Nurse, South Africa, Africa
  • Fajer Altammar, Physician, Kuwait, Middle East
  • Nilufer Ozturk, Physician, Turkey, Europe/Asia
  • Joseph Manning, Nurse, UK, Europe
  • Gerri Sefton, Nurse, UK, Europe
  • Gabriella Bottari, Physician, Italy, Europe
  • Sebastian Godoy Salinas, AHP, Chile, Latin America
  • Adriana Ramírez Barrientos, Nurse, Colombia, Latin America
  • Natalia Andrea Henao Murilllo, Nurse, Colombia, Latin America
  • Santiago Martínez, AHP, Chile, Latin America
  • Cintia Johnston, AHP, Brazil, Latin America
  • Milagritos López, Nurse, Peru, Latin America
  • Adriano Conrado, Occupational Therapist, Brazil, Latin America
  • Ana Paula Bautzer, Speech therapist, Brazil, Latin America
  • Werther Bruno de Carvalho, Physician, Brazil, Latin America
  • Alejandra Cortés, Physician, Chile, Latin America
  • Silvio Torres, Physician, Argentina, Latin America
  • Raffo Escalante, Physician, Perú, Latin America
  • Francisco José Cambra, Physician, España, Latin America
  • Rocio Yerovi, Physician, Ecuador, Latin America
  • Jesús López-Herce, Physician, España, Latin America
  • Manuel Correa Flores, Physician, Mexico, Latin America
  • Luis Moya, Physician, Guatemala, Latin America
  • Fabiola Castro, Physician, Chile, Latin America
  • Marta Marquez, Physician, México, Latin America
  • Rosa León Paredes, Physician, Perú, Latin America

Theme: The Family in the PICU

 Each region will choose a topic relevant to their region and organise a 45min pre-recorded webinar which will be launched on their awareness and will include a live Q&A component at a time convenient to each region.   The World PICU Day will be organised by WFPICCS.

Key Messages

Highlight family experiences

Share perspectives of families and caregivers to better understand their needs, challenges, and strengths during a child’s critical illness.

Advance family-centered practices

Showcase how multidisciplinary teams across regions involve and support families in the PICU, from daily care to end-of-life decisions and beyond.

Build a global dialogue

Connect families, clinicians, and researchers worldwide to exchange best practices and inspire improvements in family-centered care across all settings

Committe Members

Chairs:
  • Ann-Marie Brown, Nurse, USA
  • Luca Tortorolo, Physician, Italy
  • Idah Sendagala, AHP, Uganda
Members:
  • Sandy Staveski, Nurse, USA, North America
  • Yonca Bulut, Physician, USA, North America
  • Nate Serazin, Physician, USA, North America
  • Ivie D. Esangbedo, Physician, USA, North America
  • Jodi Mullen, Nurse, USA, North America
  • Blythe Pollack, Nurse, USA, North America
  • Mary Lihinie deAlmeida, Physician, USA, North America
  • Rebecca Silvers, Nurse, USA, North America
  • Stacey Sears, Nurse, USA, North America
  • Melina Handley, Nurse, USA, North America
  • Renad Abu-Sawwa, AHP, USA, North America
  • Kelly Sheridan, AHP – dietician, USA, North America
  • Cassandra Brodhagen, AHP, USA, North America
  • Anita Rose, AHP, USA, North America
  • Caroline Potter, AHP, USA, North America
  • Jodi Bloxham, Nurse, USA, North America
  • Michael-Alice Moga, Nurse, Canada, North America
  • Laurie Lee, Nurse, Canada, North America
  • Nicole Gilbert, AHP, North America
  • Sebastian Godoy Salinas, AHP, Chile, Latin America
  • Adriana Ramírez Barrientos, Nurse, Colombia, Latin America
  • Natalia Andrea Henao Murilllo, Nurse, Colombia, Latin America
  • Santiago Martínez, AHP, Chile, Latin America
  • Cintia Johnston, AHP, Brazil, Latin America
  • Milagritos López, Nurse, Peru, Latin America
  • Adriano Conrado, AHP – Occupational Therapist, Brazil, Latin America
  • Amparito Castro, Nurse, Brazil, Latin America
  • Ana Paula Bautzer, AHP – Speech therapist, Brazil, Latin America
  • Werther Bruno de Carvalho, Physician, Brazil, Latin America
  • Alejandra Cortés, Physician, Chile, Latin America
  • Silvio Torres, Physician, Argentina, Latin America
  • Raffo Escalante, Physician, Perú, Latin America
  • Francisco José Cambra, Physician, España
  • Rocio Yerovi, Physician, Ecuador, Latin America
  • Jesús López-Herce, Physician, España
  • Jaime Fernández, Physician, Colombia, Latin America
  • Luis Moya, Physician, Guatemala, Latin America
  • Fabiola Castro, Physician, Chile, Latin America
  • Marta Marquez, Physician, México, Latin America
  • Parveen Kaur, AHP-Physiotherapist, Singapore, Asia
  • Yujiro Matsuishi, Nurse, Japan, Asia
  • Poh Pei Fen, Nurse, Singapore, Asia
  • Deepika Harish, Nurse, India, Asia
  • Milind Jambagi, Physician, India, Asia
  • Rakshay Shetty, Physician, India, Asia
  • Hwa Jin Cho, Physician, South Korea, Asia
  • Rodelia G. Cipriano, Physician, The Philippines, Asia
  • Alvin C. Florentino, Physician, The Philippines, Asia
  • Mellinor A. Ang, Physician, The Philippines, Asia
  • Qalab Abbas, Physician, Pakistan, Asia
  • Sidra Ishaque, Physician, Pakistan, Asia
  • Xiaoyang Hong, Physician, China, Asia
  • Ali Ferguson, AHP – physiotherapist, Australia, Oceania
  • Sarah Wright, AHP – physiotherapist, Australia, Oceania
  • Debbie Long, Nurse, Australia, Oceania
  • Tara-Jane Clark, AHP – Health Psychologist, Australia, Oceania
  • Rahul Joshi, Physician, Australia, Oceania
  • Alex Hussey, Physician, New Zealand, Oceania
  • Paula Lister, Physician, Australia, Oceania
  • Teresa Campbell, Nurse, Oceania
  • Brenda Morrow, AHP – physiotherapist, South Africa, Africa
  • Halalisani Ngema, AHP – Social Worker, South Africa, Africa
  • Irene Chueu, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Ilse Appel, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Charlyne Kilba, Physician, Ghana, Africa
  • Jenala Njiram’Madzi, Physician, Malawi, Africa
  • Laura Ajidiru, AHP, Uganda, Africa
  • Stella Elikplim Lawerteh, AHP, Ghana, Africa
  • Dorothy Adjabu, AHP, Ghana, Africa
  • Asma Salloo, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Prakash M. Jeena, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Rudo Mathivha, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Stephilia Tshukutsoane, Nurse, South Africa, Africa
  • Lincoln Solomon, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Noor Parker, Physician, South Africa, Africa
  • Halalisani Ngema, AHP – Social worker, South Africa, Africa
  • Marleen Petersen, Nurse, South Africa, Africa
  • Bernadet Francis, Nurse, South Africa, Africa
  • Manal Alasnag, Physician, Saudi Arabia, Middle East
  • Maha Ahmad, AHP, Saudi Arabia, Middle East
  • Feras Abu Dayeh, Nurse, Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • Joseph Manning, Nurse, UK, Europe
  • Gawronski Orsola, Nurse, Italy, Europe
  • Miguel Rodríguez Rubio, Physician, Spain, Europe
  • Martin Kneijber, Physician, The Netherlands, Europe
  • Akash Deep, Physician, UK, Europe
  • Anna Zanin, Physician, Italy, Europe
  • Simon Gates, AHP – physiotherapist, UK, Europe
  • Pauline Janssen-Raymkers, Nurse, The Netherlands, Europe
  • Bianka Rama, Nurse, Italy, Europe
  • Oğuz Dursun, Physician, Turkey
  • Zoltan Gyorgyi, Physician, Hungary, Europe

Theme: The state of the PICU(s) regionally

Each region will choose a topic relevant to their region and organise a 1-hour pre-recorded webinar which will be launched on their awareness and will include a live Q&A component at a time convenient to each region. The World PICU Day will be organised by WFPICCS.

Key Messages

Share regional perspectives

Highlight the unique challenges and advances in PICUs across different parts of the world.

Promote collaboration

Bring together professionals from multiple disciplines to exchange knowledge and strengthen global connections.

Raise awareness

Engage the wider community to recognize the vital role of PICUs and inspire action to improve care for critically ill children.

Committe Members

Chairs: 

  • Ann-Marie Brown
  • Luca Tortorolo

Members:

  • Sandy Staveski, USA, North America
  • Yonca Bulut, USA, North America / Turkey, Asia
  • Nate Serazin, USA, North America
  • Charlene Pringle, USA, North America
  • Kristen Waddell, USA, North America
  • Ivie D. Esangbedo, USA, North America/ Nigeria, Africa
  • Jodi Mullen, USA, North America
  • Colleen Breen, Canada, North America
  • Blythe Pollack, USA, North America
  • Mary Lihinie deAlmeida, USA, North America

  • Sebastian Godoy Salinas, Chile, Latin America
  • Adriana Ramírez Barrientos, Colombia, Latin America
  • Natalia Andrea Henao Murilllo, Colombia, Latin America
  • Santiago Martínez , Chile, Latin America
  • Leonor Varela, Ecuador, Latin America
  • Werther Bruno de Carvalho, Brazil, Latin America
  • Cintia Johnston, Brazil, Latin America
  • Veronica Dubay, Argentina, Latin America
  • Felipe Verscheure, Chile, Latin America
  • Milagros López, Peru, Latin America
  • Milind Jambagi, India, Asia
  • Rakshay Shetty, India, Asia
  • Deepika Harish, India, Asia
  • Hwa Jin Cho, South Korea, Asia
  • Rodelia G. Cipriano, The Philippines, Asia
  • Alvin C. Florentino, The Philippines, Asia
  • Mellinor A. Ang, The Philippines, Asia
  • Qalab Abbas, Pakistan, Asia
  • Sidra Ishaque, Pakistan, Asia
  • Debbie Long, Australia, Oceania
  • Paul Holmes, Australia, Oceania
  • Sarah Wright, Australia, Oceania
  • Ali Ferguson, Australia, Oceania
  • Brenda Morrow, South Africa, Africa
  • Irene Chueu, South Africa, Africa
  • Aser Mehemed, Libya, Africa
  • Beyra Rossouw, South Africa, Africa
  • Ilse Appel, South Africa, Africa
  • Manal Alasnag, Saudi Arabia, Middle East
  • Maha Ahmad, Saudi Arabia, Middle East
  • Feras Abu Dayeh, Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • Miguel Rodríguez Rubio, Spain, Europe
  • Martin Kneijber, The Netherlands, Europe
  • Akash Deep, UK, Europe
  • Anna Zanin, Italy, Europe
  • Simon Gates, UK, Europe
  • Pauline Janssen
  • Raymkers, The Netherlands, Europe
  • Bianka Rama, Italy, Europe