Locum tenens acute care nurse practitioner with CT-Assist, a staffing firm specializing in cardiothoracic surgery positions. Assignments in Cardiothoracic surgery, Trauma Intensive Care, Cardiac Cath/Interventional Cardiology, Cardiology ICU. Specialized training including Heartmate 3. HVAD, ECMONot cardiothoracic surgery but need some help?If you don't mind doing some training - I like to 'step out' of my specialty every so often, and try something new. (I am old enough/ wise enough and experienced enough to know what I don't know - so I will never over-represent my skills/ knowledge). It's critical for success in the locum tenens field to be transparent - so I like to be completely upfront about my limitations. Things I am not credentialed to do / or have limited/ no experience:1. Post-operative ICU LUNG TRANSPLANT, - very minimal experience (emergency cross-coverage twice - and it was exceedingly stress inducing)2. Lines, chest tube placement - never have enough of them to feel comfortable doing them, and it's been several years.3. EVH / vein harvesting - It's been several years so I am not comfortable taking assignments where this is a requirement.I don't usually stay longer than 3 months at a time, (because of some other commitments) but would consider longer contracts if able to do creative scheduling (two weeks on/ two weeks off, etc.) I am always willing to come back - or pick up for maternity leaves, short coverages etc..Currently seeking LOCUM assignments in:East coastMemphis, TN and nearby areaAnywhere in Mississippi, LouisianaMiami, Ft Lauderdale or Orlando areas (I am extra flexible about coverage in Florida, because it is an easy commute distance for me).and I'm licensed for most of these locations - and many more..I am pretty flexible about hours/ shifts etc. and willing to do overtime. I don't mind night shifts, happy to do most holidays and weekends. I do like to take some time between assignments.

Founder and medical writer for Thoracics.org, (formerly Cirugia de Torax.org) a website promoting the thoracic surgery specialty among consumers. Essential duties include:- interviews of practicing surgeons- evaluation and discussion of current research findings and trends- solicitation and publication of guest posts- research and write articles for submission/ publication in other media; newspapers, journals, on-line forums. Articles have been published in several international publications including Colombia Reports.com and International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ). Article content has been featured and cited in multiple other on-line journals, and websites including CMEonline.com and the Association of Physician Assistants in Cardiovascular Surgery.Publication of a book, "The Thoracic Surgeons : Bogota, Colombia" (2011) examining the roles and relationships of thoracic surgeons in the Colombian health care system.

If I am not in the hospital caring for patients - then I am probably at a computer somewhere writing.. Researched and wrote several guides to surgery in: Bogota, Colombia, Cartagena, Colombia and Mexicali, Mexico. Conducted interviews, observed surgeries and procedures, toured facilities across several cities. Created and maintain multiple blogs about surgery, medicine, and Latin America. I also write fiction but unless you ask - you won't find a lot of information about it here. July 2010 - Completed and published Cartagena guide.July 2011 - Received 'Book of the Day" from Independent Authors & Writers organizationWide-spread book release August 2011 - Bogota guide, Thoracic Surgeons.January 2013 - published a mini-gem guide to Mexicali, Mexico.Spring - Summer 2013: preparations and research for series of posts on healthcare in Panama, and Medellin, Colombia.October 2013: Interview for segment on NPR on medical tourism in Colombia2013 - on-going writing projects related to various blogs

American Physicians Network (APN) is a health travel network that connects clients to specialty surgeons worldwide. At APN, we believe that all patients deserve access to excellent, affordable health care. We promise to help patients find excellent health care providers for all of their surgical needs using an ethics-based, sustainable business model that prioritizes patient well-being and patient outcomes above all else. As Director, I oversee a rigorous vetting procedure and on-going quality assurance process of the surgeons and facilities within APN. APN Cares, Inc. is a 503 c charitable organization that is publicly funded along with donations from the American Physicians Network. Our philanthropic mission is to provide grants to humanitarian and medical aid organizations internationally as well as support local programs providing for medical debt relief.

Locum tenens acute care nurse practitioner specializing in cardiothoracic surgery. Assignments in Interventional Radiology.

Medical writer specializing in medical tourism and medical issues facing residents of Calexico, California, Imperial Valley and surrounding areas.Also contributed articles to additional outlets and websites such as Yahoo!, and Mexico on my mind.com.Latin American Culture topical writer - also write articles discussing aspects of latin american culture for travelers and interestedreaders (from a non-native perspective) on topics such as as cuisine, arts and events. This includes Colombia Moda and other expos highlighting Latin American contributions to the world of fashion/ textiles/ design. Additional discussions of topics related to Latin American life can be found on my blog, Latin American Surgery.Examiner.com closed in July 2016.

Nurse Practitioner specializing in short-term assignments in cardiothoracic surgery. Ready and willing to fill positions for practices due to maternity leave, gaps in coverage and other temporary positions. Multiple state licenses: Arizona, California, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia.Assignments in cardiothoracic surgery and Interventional Radiology.Heartmate II

Primary investigator for a privately funded research study of thoracic surgery at moderate to high altitude. Designed a multi-site research study to gather data and report population demographic data, thoracic surgery practices & surgical outcomes of thoracic surgery at altitude.Applied and obtained private funding (noncorporate, nongovernmental) for research.Designed, and developed mobile applications for data collection. Currently recruiting surgeons in several high altitude locations for participation in study. Studied the principles of robotic-assisted thoracic surgery with Dr. Ricardo Buitrago

Preceptorship with Dr. Carlos Ochoa at Hospital General de Mexicali. Specialized study in surgical management of tuberculosis.

Nurse Practitioner for the sole physician in the only island Cardiology practice serving both resident and tourist populations, treating the entire spectrum of cardiovascular disease.

Duke affiliated cardiothoracic surgery practice. Responsible for the medical management & post-operative care of intensive care, step-down and floor patients, as well as in-patient consultations, clinic visits. Maintain accurate, detailed documentation for insurance reimbursement and legal record keeping; daily progress notes, history & physicals, discharge summaries, bedside procedure notes. Designed & implemented standardized thoracic surgery post-operative care orders, thoracostomy tube orders to improve patient care.Conducted teaching sessions / educational presentations to improve the care of cardiovascular & thoracic patients.Standardized emergent CABG surgery procedures to minimize errors/delays from cath lab to OR.Submitted evidenced based practice guidelines for use of blood products in surgical patients for hospital use.Created, designed and presented "Cardiothoracic Week at DRMC" in August 2008.Compilation, maintainance of cardiac surgery practice statistics.

Care and Management of cardiac surgery and thoracic patients. Consultation and evaluation of hospitalized patients for cardiac and thoracic care. Diagnosis, treatment and management of post-surgical conditions.Prevention and management of post-operative complications.