Perfusion Student Joseph Timpa Recognized by American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion
Timpa Earns Aaron G. Hill Student Paper Presentation Award
Joseph Timpa, a senior student at The Texas Heart Institute’s School of Perfusion Technology, was recently recognized by the American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion (AACP) for his outstanding presentation at their 45th Annual Seminar held in Nashville, Tennessee, on Feb. 7-10, 2024.
Timpa’s presentation entitled “Bivalirudin: An Anticoagulation Alternative for Cardiopulmonary Bypass” earned him the 2024 Aaron G. Hill Student Paper Presentation Award, one of the $500 presentation awards given by the Academy to students. Aaron G. Hill was a cardiovascular perfusionist whose pioneering efforts contributed significantly to the establishment of the field, including the development of accreditation and certification standards for perfusion schools and professionals, respectively.
Timpa was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). He worked as a registered nurse in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit at UAB Hospital for two years before joining the Perfusion School program.
Timpa was inspired by his father’s career as a pediatric perfusionist. “As a child, it was incomprehensible to me what his job looked like. This curiosity fed my desire to learn more. I fell in love with the profession and knew my career path. I can happily say that I am following in his footsteps,” Timpa said.
When asked about the future after his upcoming graduation in June, Timpa shared, “I look forward to implementing what I have learned at THI and making a difference in my future patients’ lives. It is an honor to represent The Texas Heart Institute. I hope to make this institution proud throughout my career.”
The Perfusion School’s program research coordinator, Kathleen Kibler, LP, CCP, assists students as they develop their case presentations for conferences. She worked closely with Timpa as he prepared his talk for the Academy meeting, sharing, “Joseph is a highly motivated, ambitious perfusion student who planned his presentation early, which allowed him to present effectively and seamlessly at the AACP meeting. I am very proud of his hard work and determination and appreciate the opportunity to work with Joseph on his project.”
Deborah Lowery Adams, MA, LP, CCP, the school’s director and clinical coordinator, said, “Joseph is very deserving of recognition. He is an exemplary student and will continue to be exemplary as he begins his perfusion career. We are so proud he is a part of THI!”
