Cast Your Vote
Zone 3 Director Candidates
Nicole Michaud, MSP, CCP, LCP, CPBMT
Candidate Bio
Nicole graduated from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in 1994 with a Master of Science in Perfusion. she took her first perfusion job at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands. Upon returning to the United States, Nicole took an opportunity to become a perfusionist with a focus on pediatric perfusion at Milwaukee Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin where she also enjoyed working with the adult team at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Several years later, the opportunity to participate in teaching and research with a busy adult clinical team at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee arose. Nicole was able to contribute in the research of atrial fibrillation and mechanical circulatory support with highly skilled physicians. During this time, Nicole participated as both a clinical and didactic instructor for the Masters in Perfusion Program at MSOE. Following the birth of her first gift, she moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin where she held positions as a staff perfusionist and then as Lead Perfusionist. Her passion for education, specifically simulation, and pediatrics, lead her to take a position at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). During her time at MUSC, she helped develop the simulation program and was awarded the College of Health Profession Teacher of the Year in 2010 and Clinical Instructor of the Year in 2012. In late 2012, Nicole took the role as the Program Director of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Certificate in Perfusion Program. While with the Perfusion Program, she developed a strong simulation program for student education as well as a month-long boot camp for cardiac surgical fellows. Under Nicole’s leadership the program found growth in both student enrollment as well as didactics and research methodology with focus on developing a skillful entry level clinical perfusionist. Clinically during this time, she participated as an adult perfusionist with the dynamic adult program at VUMC. In 2019, Nicole was given the opportunity to be the Chief of Pediatric Perfusion at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. This is a role which she thoroughly enjoys and is extremely thankful to work alongside an exceptional group of perfusionist. Currently, she holds a license to practice perfusion in Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Why are you running for your selected position?
I am running for Zone 3 Director. I have passion for the profession of perfusion as well as the development of the future of our profession. I have a diversified clinical background having enjoyed roles in all realms of perfusions as well as having experience with certificate, bachelors, and master’s perfusion programs. I am running for this position because I find value in mission of AmSECT and have a strong desire to collaborate with the past, present and future of perfusion to continue to evolve our profession with a patient focused vision. I value the diversity of our profession and feel privileged to get to participate in the care of our patients. I am prepared to continue to serve you with a focus on both the safe management of patients as well as the development and preservation of the role of perfusionists that care for them. Thank you for your consideration as your Zone 3 Director.
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Committee Nominees
Julie Fenske, MS, CCP, FPP
Achievement Recognition Committee; Ethics Committee; Nominating Committee
Candidate Bio
I am an adult and pediatric perfusionist at the University of Southern California, pumping 175 annual cases between 3-4 institutions, including Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Keck Hospital of USC. I graduated with my MS from Milwaukee School of Engineering in 2017 and have since gained expertise in all types of cases including transplants, aortic repairs, circulatory arrest, special patient populations, and ECMO. I have had the privilege to participate in clinical research and a mission trip to Nigeria, and am currently completing a Master in Academic Medicine at USC to better serve our perfusion student population. Recently I have completed AmSECT's Leadership Symposium, received AmSECT's Fellow of Pediatric Perfusion designation, and have been published in AmSECT's Journal of ExtraCorporeal Technology-- all opportunities which I am profoundly grateful for.
Why are you running for your selected positions?
I am eager and enthusiastic to contribute to AmSECT and perfusion as a whole, two entities that have challenged and encouraged my growth as a clinician and as a leader. Utilizing active collaboration, unity and understanding of strengths and goals, and open, constructive communication, I feel that I am well-equipped to work alongside fellow committee members to help AmSECT in serving the perfusion community. Thank you for your consideration.
Jesse Mendillo, CCP
Achievement Recognition Committee; Ethics Committee; Nominating Committee
Candidate Bio
Upon graduating as a member of the inaugural perfusion class at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2018, Jesse took a staff position at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. While initially practicing on adult patients, he soon joined the pediatric perfusion staff and became involved with the institution’s developing ELSO registry. After four years and a variety of adult and pediatric cases, he took a pediatric perfusion position at the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York City, NY. With the inspiration and support of his friends and colleagues, he joined AmSECT and presented Columbia’s neonatal cardiopulmonary bypass circuit and protocols at the latest conference in New Orleans, LA. He’s also a volunteer for the AmSECT Crisis Hotline and pending project approval, looking forward to helping out. He continues to pursue complex cases and different experiences that excel him towards the Fellow of Pediatric Perfusion designation. Jesse looks forward to getting more involved with AmSECT and the professional perfusion community.
Why are you running for your selected positions?
I have always enjoyed the human aspect of the position, whether it’s the teamwork in the OR across disciplines during cases to provide the best patient care, in the ICU comforting patients and families, or simply connecting with coworkers as we push each other towards refining our practice and skillset. I’ve also enjoyed precepting students throughout my perfusion career, and I’m excited to get involved in a new area and connecting with like-minded perfusionists. After seeing what colleagues have taken away from their involvement in AmSECT, I believe getting involved on the Nominating Committee, Achievement Recognition Committee, or Ethics Committee will allow me to foster these strengths while growing as a professional and giving back to the perfusion community.
Scott Sanderson, MPS, CCP, LP
Ethics Committee
Candidate Bio
Scott Sanderson is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he completed his perfusion training and earned a Master of Perfusion Science degree. Scott first started practicing 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 Clinical 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 the Program Director for the UNMC Clinical 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 education and simulation, is a published author, has served as a co-editor for a perfusion book, and has lectured at numerous national and international meetings.
Why are you running for your selected position?
Throughout my career of overseeing the clinical education, and now, overseeing a perfusion program, the promotion of a strong ethical and professional foundation has been at the core of my work. This most definitely is complimented by promoting this in my individual clinical work, but those standards also play a large role in my educational based teachings. I endlessly work to instill and teach ethical foundations in yearly cohorts of the next generation while also ensuring all ethical (both clinically and accreditation) program level needs are exceeded. I feel strongly that these professional and ethical based initiatives I have implemented and have overseen in my career will serve well in translating it to a National level within AmSECT.
Elon M. Trager
Ethics Committee
Candidate Bio
A dedicated perfusionist with a respected educational background and extensive professional experience, I graduated from the UPMC Shadyside School of Perfusion in Pittsburgh in 2014, where I developed a strong foundation in cardiovascular perfusion. Currently, I am pursuing an MBA with a concentration in healthcare management, further enhancing my expertise in the healthcare field. Over the past decade, I have accumulated ten years of experience in cardiovascular perfusion, with seven of those years spent at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in New Jersey. During my tenure there, I performed a wide range of cases, including transplants, congenital birth defects, and complex aortic arch repairs. This diverse experience has equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the field of Perfusion. Presently, I serve as a pediatric perfusionist at Columbia University Medical Center's Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York, where in this role, I continue to provide exceptional care to pediatric patients, ensuring the highest standards of perfusion practice. In addition to my clinical work, I have actively contributed to the professional community through my involvement with AMSECT, having served on the nominations committee, participated in the leadership symposium, and participated in various conferences. These experiences have allowed me to stay current with advancements in the field and to network with other professionals. I am passionate about my work and committed to advancing the field of perfusion while being eager to continue serving the community and contributing to the growth and development of our profession.
Why are you running for your selected position?
With integrity being at the heart of everything I do, my commitment to Perfusion includes maintaining a high ethical standard through my continued involvement and active participation in roles such as the leadership symposium and nominations committee. My interest in the ethics committee comes as an educational stepping stone in learning the measures taken in order to keep the perfusion community transparent, fair, and accountable. Serving on the ethics committee would allow me to advocate for ethical practices, foster trust, and uphold the professional standards that benefit both patients and perfusionists. While ten years may not be profound, I believe my experience and dedication to the field could make a meaningful impact through being on the ethics committee, as it as well a chance to give back to the profession and shape its future in a positive way.
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