Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care recently hosted the BHSF–UPMC ECMO Boot Camp at the Education Center at Baptist Health Baptist Hospital. The two-day event provided advanced training for South Florida clinicians and marks another step forward in the expansion of highly specialized heart and vascular care capabilities across the organization. 

The immersive training brought together multidisciplinary clinicians for hands-on education focused on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), mechanical circulatory support and bedside management. Through high-fidelity simulation and advanced skills training, participants gained experience in ECMO cannulation, circuit management and emergency scenario response, further reinforcing Baptist Health’s commitment to innovation, education and excellence in patient care. 

The program was led by I-wen Wang, M.D., Ph.D., cardiothoracic surgeon at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and director of ECMO and perfusion for Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s nationally recognized ECMO team. 

“The boot camp reflects Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care’s continued investment in advancing highly specialized cardiovascular care regionally,” Dr. Wang said. “As we continue to expand our ECMO, perfusion, mechanical circulatory support and transplant capabilities, programs such as this help strengthen clinical readiness, enhance collaboration across teams and support the delivery of complex care closer to home.”