The Women in Critical Care Network began with a simple idea: women working, studying and aspiring to build careers in critical care should have greater opportunities to connect, learn, contribute and be recognised.
 

Across critical care, women bring exceptional clinical knowledge, leadership, experience and capability. Yet many still encounter barriers to entering specialist roles, progressing their careers, accessing professional development and having their expertise acknowledged. Opportunities are not always distributed equally, and talented women can too easily be overlooked when professional networks, visibility and recognition rely on who is already known, connected or close by.
 

WICC was created to help change that.
 

We are building a global community that brings together women from different professions, workplaces, locations, backgrounds and stages of their careers. Our network welcomes those considering intensive/critical care, current students, clinicians, educators, researchers, emerging leaders and experienced professionals. There is no single pathway into critical care, and there is no single experience of being a woman within it. We want WICC to reflect and celebrate that diversity.
 

At the heart of our work is meaningful connection. We create spaces where women can share knowledge, ask questions, build confidence and form relationships without competition or hierarchy. We believe that professional networks should not only benefit those who already feel established or visible, they should also create opportunities for people whose expertise, experiences and potential may not ordinarily be recognised by employers, organisations or industry.
 

Through educational events, clinical skills development, mentorship, scholarships, research, advocacy and collaboration, we aim to support women throughout their critical care journey. We also provide a platform for women to present, teach, lead, conduct research and contribute to conversations shaping the future of critical care. Our work is not about placing any woman on a stage simply to achieve representation. Visibility must be meaningful. We want to highlight women with valuable knowledge, diverse experiences and important ideas, including those who may not traditionally be given access to professional platforms or leadership opportunities.
 

WICC is also about challenging the systems and cultures that can make it harder for women to enter, remain and progress in critical care. We recognise the impact of caring responsibilities, career interruptions, limited access to networks, financial pressures, geographic isolation, workplace culture and unequal opportunities. Rather than expecting women to simply navigate these barriers alone, we want to help build a profession in which those barriers are acknowledged and actively addressed.
 

We are proud to be creating a community grounded in generosity, inclusion, curiosity and mutual support. A community where women can learn from one another, celebrate each other’s achievements and open doors for those coming behind them.
 

WICC is more than a professional network. It is a place to belong, to be seen and to grow.

Together, we are working towards a future where women from all backgrounds have genuine opportunities to enter critical care, develop their expertise, lead with confidence and shape the future of the profession.