AmSECT Member Spotlight For Perfusion Management Group, Ltd.
By AmSECT Membership Committee
It’s not every day you get to sit down and interview a true pioneer in the field of Cardiovascular Perfusion, however, I was fortunate enough to get to do just that. Rick Smith, BS, CCP is the President of Perfusion Management Group, Ltd. out of Lancaster, PA. His group is the first private group to be awarded the prestigious AmSECT Pillar Award for Perfusion Excellence.
Being a Perfusionist and active member of AmSECT for 41 years, he has worn many hats. He has been an editor for JECT, a contributing writer for AmSECToday, as well as serving on AmSECT’s Business Practices Committee where he co-authored AmSECT’s Perfusion Services Management Manual and aided in development of The National Perfusion Registry. He credited his passion and motivation to serve as an AmSECT volunteer to the encouragement he has received from other veteran Perfusionists such as Joel Davis, Paul Cappola, Robin Sutton, Jeff Riley, and Nancy Acorn, just to name a few.
Back in the early days of Rick’s career, he started as a surgical technician on the heart team in the Army until he was approached by Craig P. Roberts, who urged him to switch gears and apply to perfusion school at the California Institute of Perfusion Technology, in San Francisco. Craig continued to inspire Rick throughout his career, and is a legend in his own right, holding several patents we use daily for ECMO, percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (BARD CPS) and blood detoxification. Throughout Rick’s experience, he has always referred to AmSECT as the primary professional society for Perfusionists, utilizing the society as a reference and resource for evidence-based medicine to develop his practice.
Perfusion Management Group, Ltd. has proven their excellence and contribution to our profession by striving to offer the highest level of care to patients through their evidence-based practice, continuous devotion to quality assessment and improvement, and their adherence to AmSECT’s standards and guidelines. Their excellence, innovation, and impact on the field of perfusion, made them a deserving winner of the 2023 AmSECT Pillar Award.
The invaluable insight and wisdom gained from my conversation with Rick extend far beyond what can be included in a short excerpt. It reminded me why volunteering for AmSECT is not only a great opportunity to network, but it also allows us to connect with inspiring individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing the field of perfusion for us all. I'm grateful to Rick Smith, BS, CCP for sharing his story with me and for contributing to our profession. I have no doubt, that his teachings will have a ripple effect on all who are fortunate enough to meet him.
April Asleson, CCP, LP
AmSECT Membership Committee