About Us

A volunteer community advancing perfusion education and cardiac care worldwide.

Our Story

The International Perfusion Association brings people, knowledge, and compassion together to advance cardiac care. Building on the dedication of volunteer cardiac surgery teams, our community helps patients access care and supports the professionals who make that care possible.

Our work spans surgical missions, perfusion education, research sharing, and professional resources. We support mission partners with volunteers, funding, equipment, and supplies, while helping perfusionists stay connected through educational opportunities and current research.

IPA is 100% volunteer led. From a life-changing operation to a learning opportunity or a new professional connection, everything we do reflects a shared purpose: better care through collaboration. Donors, volunteers, and partners make this work possible.

About Our Team

Our volunteer community includes perfusionists, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Together, we support surgical missions, share knowledge, and help strengthen cardiac care.

We are Passionate

We are passionate about patient care and strive to bring the same surgical excellence we have in the US to developing countries.

How We Work

Volunteers contribute their time and expertise through mission work, education, and professional collaboration.

How can you help?

Give your time, support a mission, or donate medical equipment and supplies. Every contribution helps move our work forward.

Testimonials

Success Stories

These are typical examples of our patients who without our cardiac surgical intervention patients would die. Our typical patients are usually between 17 to 45 years of age that have suffered the consequences of rheumatic heart disease and require valvular replacements. They have returned to being productive individuals contributing to society. Please help them help themselves.

Success Story Patient 1 By coincidence, this 25 yr/o female happened to enter the emergency room at the start of our mission. An alert physician heard a murmur and obtained an ECHO of her heart....

Success Story Patient 2 This 32 yr/o lady fatigued very easily. Cardiac workup revealed mitral stenosis, closure of the valve. Successful surgery was performed and she has returned home to care for her 3 children and her husband.

Meet Our Team

Meet the core team supporting IPA’s daily work, alongside the many medical volunteers who bring our missions to life.

Robert Pascotto, MD

Founder Heart 2 Heart

Bryan Lich, CCP Emeritus

IPA Founder and President

David D'Allesandro, MD

Physician Director

Eriberto Michael, MD

Physician Director

Lacy Harville, MD

Physician Director

Telmo Delgado, MD

Ecuador Director

Iris J. Chacon, RRT, CCP, LP

Board Member

Sam Dominico, RRT, CCP, LP

Board Member

Haz Mohamed, RRT, CCP, LP

Board Advisor