AmSECT Student Essay Contest

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Congratulations to Farhad GorjiPour and Nicole Danielson, the winners of the 2026 AmSECT Student Safety Committee Essay Contest!

Nicole Danielson

Midwestern University Cardiovascular Science, Class of 2027

I.M. SAFE to P.E.R.F.U.S.E.: Addressing Human Factors in Perfusion

It is a quiet oath, an acknowledgment that human performance is inseparable from human vulnerability. If a pilot cannot confidently recite “I’M SAFE” with the above criteria in mind, they cannot fly. Aviation learned decades ago that technology cannot compensate for compromised human performance, because when a pilot is not safe, people die. Read on ›

Farhad GorjiPour

SUNY Upstate Medical University

Cultivating a Culture of Safety in Perfusion Practice

Patient safety is the heartbeat of perfusion and perfusionist aim. As perfusionists, we can keep you alive without a heart or even lungs — but what truly keeps you safe is our conscience, compassion, and care. Read on ›

The AmSECT Safety Committee is proud to sponsor an essay contest recognizing active perfusion students who are passionate about patient safety and the field of perfusion. The contest awards $1,000 to each of the top two essay submissions.

Essays should focus on patient safety and may address topics such as a near miss event, a sentinel event, or a high-risk scenario that has not yet resulted in an adverse outcome. Submissions are encouraged to include an analysis of the issue, safety mitigators, and potential solutions to improve patient outcomes and advance safety practices within the perfusion community.

Submissions are evaluated based on originality, depth of safety analysis, and writing quality. The top two essays will each receive a $1,000 award and may also be featured in the AmSECT Today quarterly newsletter.

Applicants must be current students enrolled in an ABCP-accredited perfusion program.

The essay contest will reopen for submissions in February 2027. Please reach out to grace.aughey@ewald.com with any questions.

Past Winners

2025 - Kenny Casals (SUNY Upstate Medical Unversity) and Xavier Abelson (SUNY Upstate Medical Unversity)
2022- Jennifer Gavin-Veyna (University of Nebraska Medical Center) and Zach Gorman (University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine)
2021 - Jeremy Bolick (Medical University of South Carolina) and Sophia Kero (University of Nebraska Medical Center)