It's Perfusion Appreciation Week!

Congratulations Audrey Chapman! Thank you, and all your colleagues, for the excellent work you do. Join us as we celebrate Perfusion Appreciation Week from April 29th to May 3rd.  

Q 1. What led you to working in perfusion?    

After completing my Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, I was searching for a career that involved more of a clinical aspect toward patient care. Perfusion was the perfect mix of combining acute clinical judgment, applied knowledge of physiology and adaptability skills to react to daily situations and unexpected emergency scenarios. 

Q 2. What is the best advice that someone at the MUHC ever gave you?  

One of my perfusion colleagues, who has since retired and who was my instructor and mentor, told me to always keep a certain skepticism and humbleness of oneself in everything that I do. He was so right! Self-awareness of one’s actions keeps my mind and my spirit sharp. It ensures that I always conduct safe practices toward my patients. It leads me to self-improvement, self-growth, and to always keep thriving for a deeper understanding of my field of practice. 

Q 3. Tell us about working with your fellow colleagues. 

My fellow colleagues and I work very closely together. Dealing with 24/7 calls and emergency cases brings us closer together as we develop mutual confidence with each other and learn to understand one another’s technique via non-verbal communication. I rely on them, as they rely on me, at crucial times during an open-heart surgery or an ECMO (extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation) insertion for a cardiac arrest anywhere in the hospital.  Working with this team is one of the most positive aspects of working at the MUHC as a perfusionist. 

Q 4.  How do you like to relax and unwind after a shift?  

I go for a run to clear my head and release the day’s stress. During the winter, I will sit on the sofa and crochet while watching a good series on TV.