Meet the Editors

John Englert, MS, CCP, RRT

John Englert is a 2014 graduate of the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) then attended Rush University and earned a Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion in 2017. He has been employed with Perfusion.com since 2018 and is currently chief perfusionist at Kansas Medical Center (Andover, Kansas). John is also adjunct faculty at Rush University as an instructor for the Cardiovascular Perfusion program. He is married to Dr. Thao Englert, and they currently reside in Wichita, Kansas with their two dogs. John enjoys coaching a high school travel baseball team and playing golf.

Clifton Marschel, MS, CCP

Clifton Marschel’s journey as a Perfusionist at UCD Davis is marked by his unwavering commitment to patient care, innovative research, and effective knowledge dissemination. His studies have explored the intricate interplay between lactate production and utilization during cardiac surgery and its implications for patient recovery. Clifton is known for his community involvement and mentorship. He actively participates in outreach programs and is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of perfusionists and healthcare professionals.

Kelly Hedlund, MS, CCP

Recently retired, Kelly Hedlund spent nearly 40 years as a perfusionist in Kansas. He graduated from the Texas Heart Institute School of Perfusion Technology in 1986, and was named “Outstanding Student” in his class. Kelly has served as an editorial assistant for numerous publications including JECT, the Texas Heart Institute Journal, and the AACP Newsletter. He has authored over fifty articles focusing mainly on heparin and perfusion history. Kelly currently serves on AmSECT’s Historical Committee. His hobbies include reading, attending college sporting events, and spending time with his grandkids.

David Webb, MS, CCP, LP

David P. Webb, MS, CCP, LP, Program Director

Lipscomb University, M.Sc. Cardiovascular Perfusion program

Julie Collins, MS, LP, CCP

Julie Collins MS, CCP, Assistant Professor is the Program Director of the Rush University Cardiovascular Perfusion School in Chicago, Illinois. She is a 2004 graduate of University or Wisconsin- La Crosse and then received her Master of Science in Perfusion from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 2006. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Chicagoland Perfusion Foundation, the secretary for the Perfusion Program Directors Board, the CoA for SBB Programs Public Member and on Chairs Council. Her clinical interests include simulation, perfusion research, ECMO and perfusion education. Her personal interests include spending time with her family and friends, going to the gym, coaching her son’s baseball team and traveling.

Scott Sanderson, PMPS, CCP, LP

Scott Sanderson is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he completed his perfusion training and earned a Masters of Perfusion Science degree. Scott first practiced perfusion in Indianapolis, Indiana where he served as a staff perfusionist at St. Vincent Hospital. He was then recruited back to Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska to continue his clinical work as a staff perfusionist and serve as the department clinical coordinator. In 2013, Scott was brought on as a faculty member for The University of Nebraska Medical Center Perfusion Program while still maintaining his full clinical responsibilities at Nebraska Medicine. As a faculty member, Scott served in various education and administrative roles. Currently, he now serves as Program Director for The University of Nebraska Medical Center Perfusion Program while remaining clinically active at Nebraska Medicine.

Scott is certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, has received over a dozen awards for his work in perfusion education and simulation, is a published author, and has been invited to lecture at numerous national and international meetings.

Scott currently resides in Omaha, Nebraska with his wife Annie, and their three children.

Kyle Dana, DC, CP

Kyle W. Dana, DC, CP is the Program Director and Associate Professor for the Cardiovascular Science Program at Midwestern University. Dr. Dana received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Arizona State University in 2000 and his Doctorate in Chiropractic, along with Bachelor of Science degrees in Anatomy, and Health and Wellness from Parker University in 2008. He received his Master of Science in Cardiovascular Science from Midwestern University in 2013. Dr. Dana started his clinical career at Salem Hospital in Oregon then moved back to his native Arizona as a staff perfusionist in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Dr. Dana joined Midwestern University in January 2018 and enjoys archery, camping, and fishing with his wife and four children.

Dave Durdov, MS, LP, CCP

David Durdov is a 1996 graduate of the Rush University Perfusion Technology Program, he later earned his Master of Science Degree in Health Systems Management from Rush University in 2005. David is a Pediatric Perfusion specialist and is currently employed at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. David also holds a faculty appointment at Rush University as an Assistant Professor and is the Clinical Coordinator for Rush’s Cardiovascular Perfusion Program. David has been teaching Perfusion Technology to Rush students for over 27 years. David, his wife Vivian and their two sons reside in Park Ridge Illinois, a suburb just outside of Chicago. David enjoys coaching his son’s Hockey Team and playing drums for his rock band.

Shahna Helmick, CCP

Shahna Helmick has been a Certified Clinical Perfusionist for 18 years, earning her Certificate of Perfusion from The Cleveland Clinic in 2001. Mrs. Helmick has been an executive member of The International Consortium for Evidence-Based Perfusion (ICEBP) and an American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AmSECT) member since 2012. Currently, she is Associate Director at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Perfusion Education Program. Mrs. Helmick has a keen interest in the role of professional societies in improving the quality and safety of care; she has authored or co-authored manuscripts, has a standing column in AmSECT Today, and presents widely on this topic at state and national conferences.

Jennifer Bezaire, MSc, CCP, BScN

Jennifer Bezaire earned a fine arts diploma, majoring in dance and minoring in visual art in 2003. She then earned a BScN in 2007 from the University of Windsor, Canada. A former RN, ECLS and VAD Specialist, she is a 2014 graduate of The Michener Institute of Education’s Cardiovascular Perfusion Science program in Toronto, Canada. She subsequently earned a Master of Science in Pathology and Lab Medicine from the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine. Jennifer has studied and worked internationally and has been traveling with Perfusion.com since 2022. She is also an adjunct professor at Michener and Emory University’s Perfusion programs. She enjoys performing arts, somatic practice, reading, and exploring the world with her husband, Gary.

Claudia Viens, MD

Dr. Claudia Viens graduated from University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2007. She then completed her anesthesia training including a fellowship in cardiothoracic anesthesia at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University. She’s currently a cardiac anesthesiologist at Winchester Medical Center in Virginia and an active member of the Society of Cardiac Anesthesiologists. She enjoys hiking and skiing with her husband and two daughters.