The Texas Heart Institute School of Perfusion Technology has honored student Asia Nguyen with the third annual Sal Guercio Memorial Scholarship. The special award celebrates the memory of Sal Guercio, Perfusion School alumnus and respected clinical instructor, and recognizes an outstanding Junior or Senior student enrolled in the Perfusion Technology program. Perfusionist and alumna Ann Guercio, CCP, LP, MBA, presented the award along with cardiovascular surgeon James Livesay, MD, and education leader Keri Sprung, MBA, at the 2024 Perfusion Conference (#PerfCon2024) on June 7.

Ann Guercio praised Nguyen’s spirit and attitude. “In reviewing applications, Asia stood out to us as a sincere and dedicated voice. Feedback from those who currently work with her in the clinical education setting describe her as ‘the real deal’ and a ‘rockstar.’ This is high praise indeed!” she said.

Nguyen is a member of the Perfusion School’s December 2024 graduating class. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas, and worked as a pharmacy technician and an autotransfusionist (technician who operates the cell saver machine during surgeries) before joining the perfusion training program.

Nguyen became interested in cardiology in her senior year of high school, when her father was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease; during a clinical shadowing opportunity in college, she met a perfusionist and began to appreciate their role in the operating room. She shared, “As I watched the surgery proceed, the role of the perfusionist became more apparent. I was in awe of the communication between the perfusionist, surgeon and anesthesiologist to perform a life-saving task – the triangle of trust.”

Nguyen’s personal experiences with her father’s later treatment for aortic aneurysm and dissection solidified her career choice and deepened her appreciation for multidisciplinary cardiovascular care teams. Her focus on providing service to others is based on gratitude for the second chance that her father received. “My goal is simple: I want to be able to pump the next case. To play a role in the procedures that allow people the chance to spend more time with their family members, just as I got to…”

She also offered perspective on the perfusionist’s exposure to the loss of critically ill patients, despite their care team’s best efforts. Nguyen credits her personal circumstances for her ability to empathize with patients and families, and her training for her ability to remain calm in critical moments in the operating room. She cites this empathy as a central part of her motivation, saying, “That’s where I found true passion to be part of a life-saving change.”

The Perfusion School offers an 18-month, post-baccalaureate certificate training program that educates students on the use of cardiopulmonary bypass and other life-support methods such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, preparing them for careers in the cardiovascular surgery suite and critical care settings. The rigorous training program is led by Deborah Lowery Adams, MA, LP, CCP, and Kathleen Kibler, LP, CCP.

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The Texas Heart Institute Sal Guercio Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding Junior or Senior School of Perfusion Technology student as a lasting tribute to Sal and his dedication to his students. The vision is to grow the Scholarship to sustain itself in perpetuity. Donate to the Sal Guercio Memorial Scholarship Fund