Cardiovascular perfusion program graduates first class in May

The Lipscomb community celebrated a historic milestone this spring with its first cohort of students in the cardiovascular perfusion program graduating in May.

Kim Chaudoin | 05/07/2023

The 14 students that comprise the Class of 2023 received the first-ever Master of Science in perfusion degrees awarded by Lipscomb during graduate commencement on May 6. This is the largest graduating inaugural class from any institution ever in the nation. This cohort of students made university history in fall 2021 as they were the first students to enroll in Lipscomb’s new perfusion program and continue to make history as its first graduates. 
 
“This is a significant milestone for the students and our program. This is a very satisfying moment for the cardiovascular perfusion department as we celebrate the graduation of our inaugural class,” says David Webb, professor and director of Lipscomb’s program. “These first two years of the cardiovascular perfusion program have been an example of flying the plane while building it in some respects. The inaugural class of any new program establishes the pathway for those who follow and have helped us develop processes and make adjustments when needed. This is definitely an exciting time. We are proud of our graduates and they are ready to go into the world and serve others in this very important area.” 

Housed in the College of Health Sciences, Lipscomb’s program is offered through numerous clinical partners locally in the state of Tennessee and throughout the nation. This culminates 22 consecutive months of work, which included earning 60 academic credits and completing a rigorous clinical component. Members of this cohort completed clinical rotations in some of the most prestigious healthcare facilities in the nation including Nashville’s Centennial Medical Center, the Mount Sinai Health System (New York), Montefiore Health System (New York), Loma Linda University Health (California), Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital (Florida), University of Florida Shands Hospital, University of Vermont, Lovelace Health System (New Mexico), University of Maryland, Lurie Children's Hospital (Illinois), University of Kentucky and William Beaumont Hospital (Michigan) among others. 

READ MORE: Lipscomb Health establishes new program in perfusion sciences 

Perfusionists, who play a vital role on the cardiac surgical team, ensuring that a patient’s blood continues to flow throughout the body by utilizing artificial pumps during cardiac procedures, are in particularly high demand. Currently there are only 15 schools in the nation that offer a perfusion sciences degree. According to the ABCP, there are a little over 4200 certified cardiovascular perfusionists, and not enough practitioners to meet the clinical demand. Lipscomb launched its Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion program in fall 2021 to help meet this need by training professionals to fill this gap in the workforce. 

“Following the recent pandemic and natural attrition from the profession has resulted in a significant shortage of cardiovascular perfusionists,” explains Webb. “We train students to provide the most invasive life support therapies in healthcare. Being located in Nashville, the healthcare capital of the world, has been instrumental in the development and quality of our training model. This combined with Lipscomb’s culture and growth in allied health programs has resulted in a truly unique and special training platform unlike any other.”    

READ MORE: Perfusion juniors received white coats in December as first 14 prepare to graduate this May

Following graduation, students are eligible to sit for the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) - Perfusion Basic Sciences Examination (PBSE). The second ABCP board exam, Clinical Applications in Perfusion Exam (CAPE), will be taken after employment is secured and following 40 independent procedures involving the delivery of life support therapies. Once graduates complete both ABCP board examinations they will receive an additional credential of Certified Cardiovascular Perfusionist (CCP), the most highly desirable and recognized standard throughout the industry. 

Webb says all members of Lipscomb’s first cohort of graduates have numerous employment opportunities and have taken jobs all over the country including at The Mayo Clinic, Boston Children’s Hospital, Erlanger Medical Center, Mission Hospital, Herman Memorial Medical Center and Mount Sinai among other locations.

READ MORE: Cardiovascular perfusion program receives initial accreditation

In March, Lipscomb’s perfusion program hit another milestone as it was awarded initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The program accreditation followed a rigorous two-year process that includes a self-study submission followed by an on-site evaluation. The Accreditation Committee - Perfusion Education (AC-PE) is responsible for assuring program compliance with standards and making recommendation for accreditation to the CAAHEP. The accreditation process involves a thorough review of Lipscomb’s perfusion curriculum, resources, faculty, instruction spaces, clinical affiliation documentation and assessment measures. The initial accreditation will be in effect through 2028. 

Learn more about Lipscomb’s cardiovascular perfusion program

— Photos by Kristi Jones