Get to Know Anna
I grew up in Brighton, MI and graduated from Brighton High School. I then went on to college at Grand Valley State University where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a psychology minor. After college I worked as an EMT in the greater Grand Rapids area and from there I was admitted into the UNMC Clinical Perfusion program. I have a big family that I am very close to and enjoy spending my time with them, going to cycle classes, hiking, cooking and reading.
AmSECT: Why did you choose to pursue a career in perfusion?
ANNA: I chose a career in perfusion after talking with my brother in law, who is also a perfusionist. I shadowed many different allied health careers prior to shadowing a perfusionist and once I did, I knew perfusion was for me. I love the independence of my role in the OR combined with the teamwork that is imperative for excellent patient care pre-, intra- and post-operatively.
AmSECT: What is a perfusion-related topic that you think is indispensable to know for your perfusion career and why?
ANNA: Between the University of Minnesota ECMO bus and ECLS studies, to the use of automated reperfusion devices like the CARL and in the field cannulation for ECMO, I see ECMO and ECLS being the "next big thing" in perfusion. This topic is close to my heart as a first responder, having seen many individuals whose lives could have been saved with the advances we see coming down the pipeline in the ECMO world.
AmSECT: In reference to the question above, what question do you have about that topic that you’d like others' to input on?
ANNA: Is your hospital starting an ECLS program? I would love to hear your experience!
AmSECT: Share your experience/favorite thing about being a Student Member of AmSECT. How has it impacted your journey in perfusion?
ANNA: My favorite part of being an AmSECT student council member has been the international conference in New Orleans. I went with two of my classmates and we all learned so much and I met so many wonderful people at the conference. I was able to see the first perfusionist that I shadowed and make connections with other Michigan perfusionists. It was rewarding to go to this conference with complex and innovative ideas being presented and I was able to understand the presentations being a first year student. The conference was an incredible experience.
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