The Michener Institute of Education at UHN

'Our role is constantly evolving. There's never a dull moment.'

Growing up, Amanda Fernandez knew what a perfusionist did, even if she did not yet know it was the career for her.

It wasn't until after graduating in 2010 from York University with an honours bachelor of science in biology, and working as a research assistant in a laboratory focused on diabetes and cardiovascular disease, that Amanda realized she wanted to pursue something involving direct patient care.

"I realized perfusionists play a very large role in cardiac surgery and they get to save lives every day," says Amanda, who was accepted into the Advanced Diploma in Cardiovascular Perfusion Program at the Michener Institute of Education at UHN in 2011. She graduated in 2013, and has worked at UHN since.

"Perfusion is a hands-on health profession involved in direct patient care, education, and research," says Amanda, Perfusion Clinical Coordinator/Educator with UHN Surgical Services. "It's a diversified field that evolves with technological advances and research, and it has high job stability."

For Amanda, it's the strength and support of her perfusion team and the professional autonomy and challenges arising throughout each day that she finds so rewarding.

"Our role is constantly evolving," she says. "There's never a dull moment."