On June 9, The Texas Heart Institute’s School of Perfusion Technology honored the seven June 2023 graduates of its nationally recognized training program. The school’s leadership, Deborah Lowery Adams, MA, LP, CCP, and Kathleen Kibler, CCP, welcomed the graduates’ families, fellow students, and hospital colleagues to the special celebration in the Denton A. Cooley Auditorium.

The Texas Heart Institute School of Perfusion Technology post-baccalaureate certificate training program educates students on the use of the cardiopulmonary bypass machine and other equipment associated with open heart surgery, preparing them to work in the cardiovascular surgery suite. Students also become experts on life-support methods such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which can be used for patients with life-threatening heart and/or lung problems.

Joseph G. Rogers, MD, President and CEO, reminded the graduates of the emphasis that The Institute’s founder, Denton A. Cooley, MD, placed on the importance of cardiovascular care teams—like the ones that they will now be integral members of—and congratulated the class on joining the over 950 previous graduates of the rigorous training program.

Kevin Esau, an alumnus of Perfusion School Class of December 1992 and father of June 2023 graduate Collin Esau, gave a special commencement address on the qualities necessary to be a successful perfusionist, a respected team member, and a compassionate caregiver.

Each of the speakers encouraged the graduates to be lifelong learners and teachers. Kibler congratulated the graduates, saying, “You’ve made the first step on a brand-new journey for a new whole career that you have committed 18 months of your life just starting it…you are going to go out there, and you are going to learn more.”

Adams shared, “It’s always bittersweet, this time, but you know everything has its season and purpose, and it’s time for these young professionals to start their next journey. Their learning curve is going to just soar in the next few years.”

The graduates have accepted perfusionist positions in Houston and across the United States.

 

June 2023 Graduates

Reuben Carter
Texas Children’s Hospital Austin (Austin, Texas)

Brian Cress
Parkview Health (Fort Wayne, IN)

Collin Esau
Hillcrest Healthcare (Tulsa, OK)

Hannah Hedtke*
Billings Clinic (Billings, MT)

Derek Suen
To Be Announced (Houston, Texas)

Kristopher Tran
CHI Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center (Houston, Texas)

Nicole Pellizzari
Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN)

 

*2023 Sal Guercio Memorial Scholarship recipient and June 2023 Valedictorian

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About The Texas Heart Institute School of Perfusion Technology

The Texas Heart Institute School of Perfusion is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Accreditation Committee for Perfusion Education (ACPE), and graduates are eligible to become a Certified Clinical Perfusionist after they take the national certification examination, which is given by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion.

 

About The Texas Heart Institute Education Programs

The Texas Heart Institute’s commitment to education sets it apart from other major cardiovascular centers. The Institute’s educational activities include postdoctoral and allied training programs, seminars, symposia, grand rounds, scientific publications, and public education outreach. Visitors will find the Wallace D. Wilson Museum with educational displays, historic items covering scientific breakthroughs in treating heart disease, and the Celebration of Hearts art collection.

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