The Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital is a 12-bed unit on the fifth floor dedicated to providing specialized care for patients with serious injuries and illnesses that require advanced surgical or trauma expertise. Our team manages complex cases from nearly every surgical specialty, including general surgery, pediatric surgery, trauma, neurosurgery, gastroenterology, otolaryngology, vascular surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and orthopaedic surgery.

Using a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach, the SICU brings together highly skilled physicians, nurses, and surgical specialists to deliver expert, compassionate, and timely care. Whether stabilizing critically injured trauma patients or supporting recovery after major surgical procedures, our team is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes.

Our nursing staff also played an essential role in the first living donor kidney transplant performed by the WVU Medicine Transplant Alliance, completing specialized training, adjusting staffing ratios to provide highly personalized care, and prioritizing pain management and discharge planning.

The SICU team cares for patients with a wide range of surgical and trauma-related conditions. This includes individuals recovering from major operations, as well as those with severe injuries requiring immediate, coordinated trauma care. Because patients come from nearly every department in the hospital, the unit is equipped to manage diverse, high-acuity situations.

Care is led by attending physicians with continuous support from resident physicians. Our SICU nurses receive advanced training in both surgical and trauma critical care, and many hold additional degrees and specialty certifications. This multidisciplinary model ensures comprehensive, expert care designed to meet the unique needs of every patient – from initial stabilization through recovery.

The SICU is patient centered. Patients (to the extent they are able) and families participate in all discussions and decisions about care. A patient’s length of stay in the SICU can range from hours to months depending upon the extent of the illness or injury. Communication is a top priority on the unit, with nursing staff providing regular updates on patients’ conditions to family members.

Visitation policy hours and guidelines can be found here.