UCF Nursing Expert Honored for Contributions to Critical Care

Highlights

• UCF Nursing Associate Professor Brian Peach was named a fellow of the American College of Critical Care Medicine, earning one of the field's highest honors and standing as Florida's only nursing inductee this year.

• Over nearly two decades, he has advanced critical care through clinical leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration and educating the next generation of nurses.

• His research and advocacy are improving outcomes for sepsis patients and ICU survivors, including national efforts to better recognize and treat post-intensive care syndrome.

During the 2026 Society of Critical Care Medicine Congress, thousands of healthcare professionals gathered to advance patient care and recognize the experts leading the way - including UCF Nursing Associate Professor Brian Peach.

UCF Nursing Associate Professor Brian Peach onstage during the induction ceremony for the American College of Critical Care Medicine.

Peach was the only nursing expert in Florida inducted into this year's class of fellows of the American College of Critical Care Medicine, a prestigious distinction recognizing healthcare leaders who've made outstanding contributions to critical care through clinical excellence, program development and scholarly activities.

Improving Patient Outcomes

Peach has dedicated nearly two decades to improving critical care - from the patient bedside as an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse and leader to advancing the field as an educator and researcher.

"… the best patient care and research outcomes are achieved through interdisciplinary teamwork."

His clinical career spanned three teaching facilities - the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Florida Health Shands Hospital and Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center - where he advanced into leadership roles and collaborated across disciplines to improve patient outcomes and drive quality initiatives, including improving time-sensitive sepsis care to save lives.

"I firmly believe that the best patient care and research outcomes are achieved through interdisciplinary teamwork, where each professional's expertise enhances the collective effort," Peach says. "My experiences have reinforced my commitment to fostering collaborations that drive meaningful improvements in healthcare."

Advancing Education and Science

While his clinical work laid the foundation, Peach recognized a broader purpose: preparing future nurses and advancing the science behind critical care.

At UCF's College of Nursing, he's led a critical care course that emphasizes essential concepts through case-based learning that prepare future nurses for real-world practice. He also serves as the college's Honors Undergraduate Thesis liaison, advising nearly 25 undergraduate and graduate students in independent research in the field.

Nationally, Peach extends his impact through leadership and service. He has served as a reviewer for multiple critical care publications and collaborates with experts on projects like the next tier of the Society of Critical Care Medicine's Centers of Excellence program, which will recognize hospitals for excellence in ICU care.

His award-winning research, shared globally through publications and presentations, focuses on improving outcomes for septic patients and, more recently, advancing care for ICU delirium and post-intensive care syndrome (PICS).

Advocating for Intensive Care Survivors

PICS - a syndrome involving new or worsened physical, cognitive, and mental health impairments following an ICU admission - affects a significant portion of survivors. Of the more than 5.7 million Americans admitted to ICUs each year, about 70% survive, and it's estimated that more than half experience lasting impairments.

Peach has become an advocate for critical illness survivors - dedicated to raising awareness and improving care. He currently leads a virtual reality exposure therapy trial for the treatment of PICS in critical illness survivors and frequently speaks on the topic at conferences, healthcare facilities and to the media.

"Helping shed light on the hidden burden carried by ICU survivors - and the gap between survival and true recovery - motivates my work," he says.

As a member of the PICS Advocacy Network, Peach was inspired to co-found Orlando's Walk-4-PICS campaign in 2024. It's now one of the largest events in a global effort to raise awareness and connect survivors and their families with resources and research opportunities.

"… by allowing researchers to track data nationwide, [the diagnostic code] could help make the case that PICS research warrants greater investment."

Earlier this month, Peach presented a proposal to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocating for a PICS ICD-10 diagnostic code. If approved, the code would allow providers to formally diagnose PICS and enable researchers to track its prevalence. A decision is expected by Summer 2026.

"This code has the potential to dramatically influence health policy and research funding," Peach says. "Millions of people across the U.S. suffering from PICS conditions will officially be able to receive a diagnosis. Furthermore, by allowing researchers to track data nationwide, it could help make the case that PICS research warrants greater investment."

For Peach, it's the people behind the statistics that inspire his work. It's the personal stories of the ICU survivors he meets, the achievements of the students he mentors and the thought leaders he collaborates with to create change.

"I look forward to [continuing] to advance critical care through collaboration and mentorship," he says, "and to improving care for patients, survivors and their families."

If you're a critical illness survivor living with new or worsened physical, cognitive or mental health conditions, you may qualify for one of Peach's studies. Contact him for more information.

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