Get ready for another unforgettable year at the Carolina Perfusion Symposium 2026—where clinical excellence meets career inspiration. Join perfusionists from across the country and best-in-class vendors for a dynamic weekend packed with cutting-edge case studies, expert panels, hands-on tech sessions, and engaging breakout discussions.
Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, grow your network, or just reconnect with your passion for perfusion, CPS 2026 promises meaningful education, fresh perspectives, and a whole lot of fun.
Don’t miss the Sip & See, student showcases, and the always-popular Dinner & a Show—this is where the perfusion community comes alive. Registration is now open!
Educational speakers and workshops- earn at least 18 CEU’s
Happy Hour Friday
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner + Entertainment Saturday
Breakfast & Lunch Sunday
Preferred Hotel Pricing
Golf Tournament
Conference Swag Bag
$300 Registration for Attendees
$100 Registration for Students
Friday Happy Hour
Saturday Dinner + Entertainment
Golf Tournament
$50 Registration for Personal Guests & Teens Ages 16+
Children’s “Welcome Event” Friday
Saturday Mid-day treat & Dinner + Entertainment during adult event
Sunday morning craft
$25 Registration for Kids (Ages 2-15)
*Conference agenda subject to change up to the event.
•7:30 AM – 2:00 PM — Golf Tournament
•12:00 PM – 3:00 PM — Vendor Setup (All vendors must complete setup by 3:00 PM)
•1:00 PM – 5:00 PM — Registration for attendees and vendors; AI badge creation
•3:00 PM – 6:00 PM — Speakers and Presentations
▪3:00 – 3:10 PM — Opening Introduction and History of CPS + PSPS — Adam Clark (Discussion)
▪3:10 – 4:00 PM — “Bull Spit” Technical Questions Asked to the Audience — Phil Scott (Lecture)
▪4:00 – 4:05 PM — Q&A — Davy Fisher (Discussion)
▪4:05 – 4:25 PM — Research Presentation — William Dauch (Lecture)
▪4:25 – 4:45 PM — DeBakey Had Residents. You Have AI — Anthony Shackelford (Lecture)
▪4:45 – 4:50 PM — Q&A — Davy Fisher (Discussion)
▪5:00 – 5:15 PM — The Expanding Role of the VAD Coordinator — Lindsey Charpia (Lecture)
▪5:15 – 5:30 PM — The Current State of Peds VADs — Deborah Conley (Lecture)
▪5:30 – 5:35 PM — Q&A — Davy Fisher (Discussion)
• 3:00 PM – 7:15 PM — Booths are open
• 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM — CPS Kids check-in at the CPS Kids table (Sign in and receive the CPS Kids agenda and tote.)
• 5:45 PM – 7:15 PM — Welcome Event, Poster Presentations, and Reception
▪Happy Hour / Welcome Reception; sponsored by Perfusion Life.
▪5:45–6:50 PM — MUSC Poster Session: ECMO Scenarios and Mentor/Mentee — MUSC Perfusion Students.
• 6:00 PM — CPS Kids at Friday Night Welcome Reception; no childcare provided
▪Entertainment includes balloon art and a surprise activity.
▪Light appetizers include chicken tenders, chips, and drinks.
• 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM — Breakfast; sponsored by Terumo/Chalice
• 8:00 AM – 3:50 PM — Speakers and Presentations; lunch provided
▪ 8:00 – 9:00 AM — Keynote Speaker — Dr. Minoo Kavarana (Lecture)
▪ 9:00 – 9:10 AM — Dedicated Break / Booth Visitation (Break)
▪ 9:10 – 10:00 AM — Expert Panel Discussion — Dr. Kavarana, Dr. Buckley, Dr. Sabbagh (Lecture)
▪ 10:00 – 10:05 AM — Q&A (Discussion)
▪ 10:05 – 10:35 AM — Legends in Perfusion — Jeff Ascell (Lecture)
▪ 10:35 – 11:05 AM — Legends in Perfusion — Phil Scott (Lecture)
▪ 11:05 – 11:25 AM — Legends in Perfusion — Dr. Joseph Sistino (Lecture)
▪ 11:25 – 11:30 AM — Q&A (Discussion)
▪ 11:30 – 11:45 AM — Evolving Practices in Pediatric Heart Transplantation — Jenn Allred (Lecture)
▪ 11:45 – 11:50 AM — Q&A (Discussion)
▪ 11:50 AM – 12:40 PM — Lunch and LivaNova Presentation — Pediatric speaker provided by LivaNova (Lecture)
▪ 12:40 – 12:45 PM — Q&A (Discussion)
▪ 12:45 – 1:15 PM —Connect to Purpose HM3 Patient Experience — Chris Long (Lecture)
▪ 1:15 – 1:50 PM — VAD Coordinator (MUSC Adults) — Tim Robbins (Lecture)
▪ 1:50 – 1:55 PM — Q&A (Discussion)
▪ 1:55 – 2:15 PM — Perfusion Micro Del Nido Experience — Tyler Coffey (Lecture)
▪ 2:15 – 2:35 PM — Longitudinal Study — Anthony Shackelford (Lecture)
▪ 2:35 – 2:55 PM — Perfusion Travel Experience — Ralph Abalo (Lecture)
▪ 2:55 – 3:00 PM — Q&A (Discussion)
▪ 3:00 – 3:15 PM — Program Growth: Preparing for ECMOs and VADs — Zach Long (Lecture)
▪ 3:15 – 3:30 PM — Ground vs. Air Transport — Mike Varsamis (Lecture)
▪ 3:30 – 3:45 PM — Dual Circuit Dynamics — Angela McIntyre (Lecture)
▪ 3:45 – 3:50 PM — Q&A (Discussion)
• 7:00 AM – 3:50 PM — Booths open with dedicated break times
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM — CPS Kids Treat Bar / Free Play; no childcare provided
• 3:50 PM – 5:00 PM — Liva Nova Breakout Room
• 3:30 PM – 5:45 PM — Vendor Teardown
◦ All vendors must complete teardown by 5:45 PM.
• 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM — Dinner and entertainment for attendees and guests; sponsored by Perfusion Life
◦ Food and beverage will be provided.
◦ Entertainment: Wacky Chad.
• 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM — CPS Kids Event / Party; childcare provided for ages 2–15
◦ Kid-friendly meal with drinks and dessert.
◦ Gerry the Great magic show, Face painting and more.
◦ Ages 11+ may also enjoy the adult event; adult entertainment is family-friendly.
• 7:30 – 8:00 AM — Breakfast; sponsored by Integration Health
• 8:00 – 11:35 AM — Speakers and Presentations; closing remarks
▪ 8:00 – 8:15 AM — Perfusion Non Technical Skills — Rachel Ward (Student Group) (Lecture)
▪ 8:15 – 8:20 AM — Q&A — Davy Fisher (Discussion)
▪ 8:20 – 8:40 AM — SC Licensure — Dafne Chianella (Lecture)
▪ 8:40 – 8:45 AM — Q&A — Davy Fisher (Discussion)
▪ 8:45 – 9:35 AM — CCP Finances — John Bruno (Lecture)
▪ 9:35 – 10:50 AM — Q&A — Davy Fisher (Discussion)
▪ 10:50 – 11:15 AM — SC CCP Salary Survey — Dafne Chianella, CCP FPP (Lecture)
▪ 11:15 – 11:25 AM — Q&A — Davy Fisher (Discussion)
▪ 11:25 – 11:35 AM — Closing Remarks and Awards — Adam Clark & David Fisher (Debriefing)
• 10:00 – 11:30 AM — CPS Kids Crafting; no childcare provided
◦ Kid-centered crafts.
• 11:35 AM — Boxed lunches available after closing; sponsored by Cardioquip
Key attendee notes:
• CPS Kids locations will be shared at check-in. Dawn Clark with Perfusion Life will oversee all CPS Kids events.
• All ages are welcome at CPS Kids activities Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning.











