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History of Cardiovascular Perfusion at MUSC

The Program in Extracorporeal Circulation Technology (now the Cardiovascular Perfusion Program) was founded in 1979 by James P. Dearing.

Each year the James P. Dearing Memorial Scholarship is awarded in memory of a truly outstanding pioneer and achiever in the health care field. Rarely does one find a person so capable of molding the future while having a profound impact upon others. James P. Dearing was one of these people. He came upon the health care delivery scene at a time when open heart surgery was in its infancy. Through both talent and dedicated hard work, he became one of the founding fathers of perfusion.

His lasting "tree of influence" is international in scope and can be seen today in both the clinical arena and the classroom setting. While at the Ohio State University, he began the first academic based perfusion program in the country. Gradually, he shifted his work emphasis towards education as a means of improving perfusion technology.

At the time of his entry into perfusion, there were few academic credentials available. Professor Dearing worked to establish credentials acceptable to the academic world. After years of outstanding service at the Medical University of South Carolina, he achieved the rank of full professor. For his lifetime of work and professionalism, he was awarded the John H. Gibbon, M.D. award in 1987. He is only the second non-M.D. ever to be awarded with such an honor.

CARDIOVASCULAR PERFUSION PROGRAM

The Cardiovascular Perfusion Program is a well-balanced academic and clinically based perfusion education program dedicated to safe, progressive patient care. The student is exposed to rigorous education, which demands excellence in clinical skills, academic activities, research, and professionalism. The program is geared to produce the perfusion technology leaders of the future.

Upon completion of the program, the student is awarded a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cardiovascular Perfusion.

CLINICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

The Cardiovascular Perfusion Program is one of three health related programs in the Clinical Services Department in the College of Health Professions. The Anesthesia for Nursing, and Physicians Assistant programs are the other two. Glen Askins, M.D. is the Department Chairperson for Clinical Services.

 

LIFE SUPPORT DEPARTMENT

The Cardiovascular Perfusion Program faculty and students practice in the Life Support Department at MUSC Hospital. The Life Support Department provides extra-corporeal life support services in several care areas in the hospital. Jackson Crumbley, M.D. is the medical director of the Cardiovascular Perfusion Program and Life Support.
The Cardiovascular Perfusion Program mission statement reflects the goals of the University and College.
 

The ECT Program Mission is:

  • The Cardiovascular Perfusion education program at MUSC, and the MUSC Hospital Life Support Department strive to offer quality, safe patient care for the citizens of South Carolina, while providing effective educational opportunities.

  • The program faculty and students will continually question the quality and validity of the clinical practice by vigorously participating in clinically-based, patient-centered, research and outcome assessment.

  • The faculty and students will be active in volunteer service, and in professional interdisciplinary and scientific communication in the Hospital, the University, the Community, and the Professional world.

     



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