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C.W. Post Offers New Master's Degree in
Cardiovascular Perfusion
Program is One of Only Three in the Nation
April 5, 2000 -- Late Night talk show host David Letterman
recently made international headlines when he underwent quintuple
bypass surgery to restore proper circulation to his heart. Among
the members of his top-notch surgical team was a cardiovascular
perfusionist whose pivotal role was to maintain Letterman's circulatory
functions during the six-hour operation. Although not in the
spotlight, the perfusionist is one of the most crucial participants
in open heart surgery as the patient's life is literally in his
or her hands.
Letterman was back on the air in just a few weeks, yet his
rapid recovery would not have been possible without the indelible
expertise of the perfusionist. With the evolution of more sophisticated
technology and the increase of surgical procedures involving
bypass surgery, there is a growing need for highly qualified
perfusionists. In response, the School of Health Professions
at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, Brookville,
NY has stepped up to the plate with a new master's degree in
Cardiovascular Perfusion - one of only three programs of its
kind nationwide.
Approved by the New York State Education Department, the M.S.
program is offered by C.W. Post's Department of Biomedical Sciences
in conjunction with the Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic
Surgery at North Shore University Hospital (North Shore-Long
Island Jewish Health Care System), Manhasset, N.Y. The program
requires completion of 54 graduate course credits: 27 are taught
at C.W. Post and 27 are taught on-site at North Shore University
Hospital.
A perfusionist is a highly skilled technologist responsible
for managing physiologic stability. While the surgical team temporarily
stops the heart, the patient is put on bypass and the perfusionist
maintains the patient's blood circulation. He or she operates
the perfusion equipment that circulates the patient's blood so
it can continue to supply vital organs - such as the brain and
heart - with oxygenated and nutrient-enriched blood.
The perfusionist is also responsible, in consultation with
a physician, for selecting appropriate equipment and techniques
to be used while ensuring the safe management of physiologic
functions by monitoring vital cardio-pulmonary parameters. Furthermore,
the perfusionist is educated in the administration of prescribed
blood products, anesthetic agents and cardiovascular drugs via
the extra-corporeal circuit. The perfusionist is also knowledgeable
and competent in the use of a variety of techniques, such as
hypothermia and hemodilution, and other perfusion procedures
involving specialized instrumentation and advanced life support.
The M.S. in Cardiovascular Perfusion program is 24 months
in length and integrates didactic courses, clinical courses and
practicums to provide the educational basis for entry-level skills
in cardiovascular perfusion. Students completing all course work
in the program are eligible to take the national certifying examination
in cardiovascular perfusion.
Requirements for admission into M.S. program include: completion
of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university,
maintaining a GPA of 2.75/4.0 system, the completion of several
undergraduate courses in biology, chemistry, math and physics,
and three letters of recommendation. Candidates are assessed
for admission into the program based upon clinical experience
with life support/cardiac patients, academic performance, motivation
to enter the field, and insight into perfusion technology. An
experienced or practicing cardiovascular perfusionist who desires
an M.S. in Cardiovascular Perfusion may also apply for admission
to this program.
All clinical courses are taught during the day, five days
per week, eight hours per day. All university-based courses in
medical biology are taught in the evening, after 6 p.m. For admissions
information, contact Richard Chan, Program Director, North Shore
University Hospital, School of Cardiovascular Perfusion, 300
Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030; (516) 562-1399; ehiscvp@aol.com.
For additional information, contact Dr. Ron Modesto, Chair, Department
of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Professions, C.W. Post
Campus, at (516) 299-3047, or visit the C.W. Post website at
www.liu.edu/medbio.
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