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Joshua L. Walker, LP, CCP

Specialist

Cardiovascular Perfusionist

Mr. Joshua Walker began his professional life in healthcare when he was 17 years old by joining the US Army in 1995 to become a respiratory therapist.  His combat medic and respiratory therapy technician training ended in 1996 at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio.  Josh entered the active reserve component and practiced as a Respiratory Therapist in the civilian sector until 2005.

After an honorable discharge in 2005, he attended and graduated with a Bachelor of Science with honors in Cardiovascular Perfusion and took a staff position at UT Health San Antonio in 2007.  Over the past 13 years he has worked tirelessly with UT Health SA to provide the best care for patients in San Antonio while continuously learning and improving his clinical skill set.

He is currently the chief of cardiovascular perfusion and leads a perfusion team of six perfusionists. He provides cardiopulmonary bypass for patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgeries and life support (ECMO) for ICU patients. He cares for patients ranging from neonates to the elderly.

Additionally, he provides surgical first assisting and specializes in saphenous vein harvest as well as handling day to day operations, ensuring that the equipment is functional, patient care disposables are available, and interfacing with many departments to ensure that they have all the tools required to provide the highest quality patient care.  Mr. Walker is currently a published researcher and carries a faculty position. He is actively engaged in research advancing renal protective strategies for patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.  He also functions as a clinical preceptor for cardiovascular perfusion students.

He enjoys traveling to other parts of the world and helping them improve their local practices for the betterment of their patients.  Mission trips have included Lima, Peru and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.

He is blessed with a beautiful family which includes five beautiful children, three rescue dogs, and most importantly, a supportive and beautiful wife of 21 years who has tolerated countless call-ins, missed birthday parties, and frequent dinner absences.

  • Professional Background

    Education

    • 2015 - Internship - SFA - Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting
    • 2007 - BS - Cardiovascular Perfusion - State University of New York Upstate, Syracuse, NY
    • 2001 - AS - Respiratory Care - Mt. Hood Community College, Omaha, NE
    • BS - Perfusion Science - University of Nebraska Medical Center

    Highlights

    05/2007 John Bernard Henry M.D., Endowed Scholarship
    01/2007 AACP Lawrence Award: Award for research in VV ECMO
    09/2006 Robert H. Bartlett Award for Scientific Abstract Presentation: Awarded at the 17th Annual ELSO Meeting in conjunction with the Annual AmSECT Pediatric Meeting

    Appointments

    • 5/2007 - Specialist and Cardiovascular Perfusionist - UT Health San Antonio, Cardiothoracic Surgery, San Antonio, TX

  • Research & Grants

    EXPERTISE:
    Pediatric Cardiovascular Perfusion - When providing cardiovascular perfusion for a vast array of congenital cardiovascular anomalies one is required to acquire a highly specialized knowledge base. Patients can be as small as 1 kg with very specific physiologic and biomechanical requirements
    Surgical First Assisting - I am certified and proficient at surgical first assisting.

  • Service

    National

    American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion, 01/2006 - present

    American Society of Extra Corporeal Technology, 01/2006 - present

     

    Community

    Volunteer, Career Day, Health Education, 5/2009 - 5/2010

  • Publications

      Journal Article
      Walker J, Walker JL. Commentary on: Successful use of cardiopulmonary support for a transected bronchus. Perfusion 2012 Jan;27(1):39-39.

      Walker J, Wiersch J, Benson C, Young H, Dearmond D, Johnson S, Walker JL. The successful use of cardiopulmonary support for a transected bronchus. Perfusion 2012 2012 Jan;27(1):34-38.

      Walker JL, Young HA, Lawson DS, Husain SA, Calhoon JH. Optimizing venous drainage using an ultrasonic flow probe on the venous line. J Extra Corpor Technol 2011 Sep;43(3):157-161.

      Walker JL, Gelfond JA, Zarzabal LA, Darling E. Calculating mixed venous saturation during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Perfusion 2009 Sep;24(5):333-339.

      Walker JL. Commentary on: Calculating mixed venous saturation during veno-venous ECMO. Perfusion 2009 Sep;24(5):340-340.

      Walker J, Primmer J, Searles BE, Darling EM, Walker JL. The potential of accurate SvO2 monitoring during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: an in vitro model using ultrasound dilution. Perfusion 2007 Jul;22(4):239-244.

  • Clinical

    Board Certifications

    • 2016 - The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
    • 2008 - Cardiovascular Perfusion - The American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion
    • 2007 - Cardiovascular Perfusion - Texas State Board of Cardiovascular Perfusionist