An Introduction to my LIFE!!!

K I

RT

I P

AT

EL

A bit about me

Born in Zambia, Africa. Been in USA since 1982 Work as a cardiopulmonary perfusionist at Memorial

Hermann Baptist Hospital in Beaumont, TX for the last 2.5 years.

Interest/Hobbies include: swimming riding my motorcycle>>>>>> tennis reading beach traveling

My Family

Father: Self-employed businessman Mother: Housewife Older sister (34): Mother of 3 children

and self-employed Younger sister (28): Nurse in Corpus

Christi, TX Fiancé: Nurse in ICU in Beaumont, TX

My Parents

My Education

Undergraduate: UT-Austin BS in Medical Technology: UTMB-

Galveston MPH in Disease Control: UTSPH-Houston CCP (certified clinical perfusionist): Texas

Heart Institute

Today….working towards DrPH program in Disease Control

My Jobs

1995-Medical Technologist 1999-Instructor for cardiopulmonary

perfusion at Texas Heart Institute 2000-Faculty at Medical University of

South Carolina 2001-Staff perfusionist/Assistant

Chief Perfusionist-Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital

What is a PERFUSIONIST?

Perfusionists are members of the open-heart surgery team who are mainly responsible for the operation of the heart-lung machine.

Perfusionists operate extracorporeal circulation equipment during any medical situation where it is necessary to support or temporarily replace a patient's respiratory or circulatory functions, such as in open heart surgery.

Perfusionists must handle very stressful situations, pay great attention to detail, be very responsible, and willing to stay on top of new developments in the profession

Other Duties

Ventricular assist devices Extracorporeal membrane

oxygenation (ECMO) Blood conservation

techniques/Autotransfusion Myocardial preservation Anticoagulation & hematologic

monitoring/analysis Physiological monitoring/analysis Blood gas and blood chemistry

monitoring/analysis Induction of

hypothermia/hyperthermia with reversal

Hemodilution Hemofiltration Counterpulsation Administration of medications,

blood components and anesthetic agents via the extracorporeal circuit

Documentation associated with described duties

Isolated limb/organ perfusion Electrophysiological analysis Surgical assistance Organ preservation Dialysis

The Heart Operating Room

The Heart-Lung Machine

My Fiancé and I

The “BIG” Day

Getting married June 5, 2004 at this beautiful resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

My Future Plans

Successfully complete my DrPh program. Generate valuable data for my

instituition through my dissertation related to cardiovascular epidemiology.

Contribute in increasing awareness of cardiovascular diseases through research, education and statistics.

Eventually, get involved with teaching again and become a director of a perfusion program at a teaching institution.