Get to Know Sidney
Hello! My name is Sidney Hillhouse and I am from Fort Mill, South Carolina, just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. After graduating from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, I worked in the Emergency Department as a Chief Medical Scribe at MUSC Lancaster and Chester. During my two years in the ED, I gained experience in critical care and emergency situations. Outside of work, I enjoy playing beach and indoor volleyball, camping with my family, staying active, shopping at Aldi and Lidl, and traveling with my fiancé.
FUN FACT: I have a custom shoe and painting business where I have designed artwork for clients across the United States and Canada. I have created shoes for bands such as Caamp, The 502s, and Duke Hazard, and I have also designed decorative masks for a representative of the Charlotte FC soccer team.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in perfusion?
I have always been fascinated by the cardiovascular system and was the student in anatomy and physiology class eager to dissect and learn more. With several family members affected by heart disease, healthcare always felt personal. I discovered perfusion after a close family friend was diagnosed with heart failure and placed at the top of the heart transplant list. I became deeply involved in learning about their care and researching treatment options, which led me to the field of perfusion. Coincidentally, one of my exercise physiology professors mentioned cardiovascular perfusion the following week. I immediately arranged a shadowing experience at MUSC and knew this was my calling. Perfusion felt like the best way to support patients and their families while making a meaningful impact.
What is a perfusion-related topic that you think is indispensable to know for your perfusion career and why?
Situational awareness is essential in perfusion and closely tied to effective communication. I have learned to expand my awareness beyond the heart-lung machine and patient hemodynamics to include everything happening in the operating room. This awareness helps determine when and how to communicate clearly with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and circulating nurses. Maintaining a positive attitude and a willingness to learn from every preceptor has also greatly influenced what I take away from each clinical experience.
In reference to the question above, what question do you have about that topic that you’d like others' to input on?
When is a good time as a student to begin expanding your field of vision, and when does that sense of comfort and confidence typically start to develop?
Share your experience/favorite thing about being a Student Member of AmSECT. How has it impacted your journey in perfusion?
My favorite part of being an AmSECT student member has been building friendships with students from other perfusion programs. Supporting both current and future students has been incredibly rewarding and makes me proud to be part of the council. Through the Student Council, I have gained leadership opportunities, including planning the student sessions for the 2026 AmSECT Conference. This experience has allowed me to build strong connections with practicing CCPs and reinforced my desire to stay involved with AmSECT throughout my career.
What does your dream perfusion job look like?
I do not have a specific preference for team size or location, but ideally I would like to remain close to my parents and my fiancé’s family. Professionally, I would love to work with both pediatric and adult patients or help develop a pediatric program within an adult cardiac center.
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