ECMO Specialist Spotlight

Cherie Hartman BSN, RN, CCRN

I have been a nurse for 27 years and an ECMO Specialist for 5 years. I work in the Cardiovascular ICU where our ECMO program was born. I enjoy being an active member of our team and developing simulations and continuing education for our current ECMO Specialists, physicians, and new team members.

What do I love about ECMO?
ECMO has given me a renewed purpose in my career. I have achieved my BSN, I took the CES-A ECMO Specialist exam and six days later took the CCRN exam and passed. I truly love the rebirth in me, my career and in my future. I am grateful for ECMO and all the changes that have been afforded to me.

What are the greatest challenges that you face as an ECMO specialist?
Challenges are all around us. I think with ECMO, the biggest challenge is the unknown and the high mortality rate. It's difficult to care for the dying every day and not let it affect you in one way or another. Working closely with physicians, perfusionists, and other ECMO specialists gives me an outlet to decompress with peers and coworkers who are in the same boat that I am.

Can you share a personal experience with a patient that impacted you and your practice?
So many things have happened with each patient that to choose one would minimize another. Each patient and their family becomes a part of me. Each ECMO specialist is an extension of me. And this ECMO process and program allows me to continue on leaving a piece of me to each part of it from patient to coworker. 

What encouragement can you give to the ECMO community? 
Support each other, for all that we have is the support of each other and don't be afraid to change. Change is a gift. Grow in all things, the good and bad. And don't forget to reach back and help another person because someone first helped you.