The Ladies of OnPump
Mellissa S. Duarte, CCP
Mellissa S. Duarte, CCP is a cardiovascular perfusionist at NYP – Weill Cornell Medical Center in NYC. She earned her Master Cardiovascular Perfusion Science from Medical University of South Carolina. Before entering MUSC, Mell spent a year interning at NYP Columbia Medical Center with their perfusion team. She rotated clinically at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston Children’s and West Virginia University. As a student Mell also sat on the Board of Directors as a student liaison, and was the head of the student council.
Mellissa is an active member of AmSECT serving on the International Consortium of Evidence Based Perfusion (ICEBP), International Conference Planning Committee for three years, and is the Chair of the Bylaws Committee.
She is passionate about leveraging perfusion quality metrics analysis to guide clinical practice improvement and individualize care plans for cardiopulmonary bypass patients with complex underlying comorbidities.
Mell has authored articles for AMSECToday Magazine and presented at various medical conferences. She primarily focuses on the adult patient population. Now, alongside Tiffany, they co-host the new perfusion podcast On Pump where they interview mavericks in the field paving the way for the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Tiffany Van Dyke, CCP
Tiffany, the whimsical wonder-worker of pediatric perfusion, paving the way of new pastures as she leads the expansion project of Texas Children's Hospital from Houston to the heart of Austin, Texas. Tiffany's journey to this illustrious position began with her Master's Degree in Medical Pharmacology and Cardiovascular Perfusion Sciences, where she honed her perfusion skills at the University of Arizona and graduated in 2012. It probably only took you reading the first sentence to realize that Tiffany is profoundly influenced by the magical realm of pediatrics and the imaginative mindset of the youth she blesses with circulatory support behind the heart-lung machine. So, let us proceed!
Her career boasts stints at renowned heart havens like the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and the star-studded Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Yet, one of Tiffany's most enchanting adventures unfolded on a medical mission trip in Brazil's underserved hinterlands, where she sprinkled the fairy dust of healing with Children's HeartLink, forever etching her name in the hearts of those she touched.
But Tiffany's love for perfusion doesn't stop at the hospital doors. She has penned tales of triumph in journals and cast spells of knowledge at global gatherings, all while moonlighting as a research wizard on various perfusion committees. Now, she and her esteemed co-host, Mell have conjured up something special - a magical podcast called "On Pump," where the secrets of their perfusion craft are unveiled.
Beyond her wizardry, Tiffany lets her adventurous spirit soar. Whether scaling treacherous peaks or immersing herself in Mother Nature's enchanted forest, she finds her sanctuary amidst the whispering leaves and babbling brooks, forever fueling her creative powers.
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