Our specialists:
Pediatric cardiologists
Congenital heart surgeons
Pediatric intensivists
Pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists
Neonatologists
Nurses and support staff
Perfusionists

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Perfusionists

  The Perfusionist and their role in cardiac surgery:
The Perfusionist is a member of the cardiac surgical team that assists in the care of the patient while they are in the Operating Room. Their primary role in this effort is in the assembly and operation of the heart-lung machine. When a child has certain procedures involving surgical correction of congenital heart defects, the heart-lung machine assumes the role of pumping oxygen-rich blood to the entire body. This allows the surgical team to complete the cardiac surgical repair in a safe and efficient manner.

The Perfusionist is vigilant in the safe assembly and operation of the heart-lung machine and is in close contact with the Surgeons and Anesthesiologists throughout the operation. The pediatric Perfusion team at Christus Santa Rosa has years of experience in the management of intraoperative cardiovascular care of pediatric cardiac surgical patients. It is their objective to provide safe, professional services incorporating cutting edge technology and expertise.

Contact information:
Phone: 210-562-5378 | Email

  Haven Young
Chief of Perfusion at UTHSCSA
Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
Phone: 210-562-5378 | Email
Haven Young has been practicing cardiovascular perfusion for 20 years. He practiced for 8 years as a Registered Nurse in both adult and pediatric cardiac critical care prior to becoming a clinical perfusionist. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Texas at Austin in 1981. He graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and the Texas Heart Institute with his Bachelor's Degree in Perfusion Technology in 1988. Haven has had extensive experience in the care of critically ill adult and pediatric patients and has provided clinical perfusion support in the surgical and critical care setting. He has had the privilege to work in multiple clinical settings in several states including Montana, New Mexico, Missouri, and his native Texas. Haven proudly joined the team at Christus Santa Rosa and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2001.

  Bart Hensler
Perfusionist
Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
Phone: 210-562-5378 | Email
Bart Hensler graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and the Texas Heart Institute in 1991. Bart has 17 years of experience as an adult and pediactric perfusionist and has enjoyed being a clinical instructor at the Texas Heart Institute and Texas Children's Hospital. For many years, Bart was in private practice in Hawaii where he provided adult and pediactric perfusion services. Bart has a passion to serve impoverished children overseas and has had the privilege to go on several mission trips to teach and to provide perfusion services. In 2002 Bart proudly joined the team at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

  Joshua Walker, CCP
Perfusionist
Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery
UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
Phone: 210-562-5378 | Email
Joshua started his medical career as a respiratory therapist for the US Army. His training started in 1995 here in San Antonio at Ft. Sam Houston. He practiced as a respiratory therapist for seven years before being trained as an ECMO specialist at Doernbecher Childrens Hospital in Portland, Oregon. There he learned of the perfusion profession which started toward a career as a cardiovascular perfusionist. Joshua graduated from State University of New York Medical University at Upstate (Syracuse, NY) in 2007 with a Bachelors in Cardiovascular Perfusion. While there he performed research with veno-venous ECMO, which received several awards. Joshua has had extensive experience in many institutions with Adults and Pediatrics. He has worked in the a variety of Intensive Care Units, Emergency Rooms, and now Operating Rooms. He has been trained on cardiopulmonary bypass, intra-aortic balloon pump, Ventricular Assist Devices, and ECMO. After his graduation Joshua accepted his first position as a perfusionist at UTHSCSA. Joshua continues his passion of pediatric perfusion and perfusion research. While not at work, Joshua most enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.