Curriculum Vitae
Education:
2017 – 2018 ︱ St. Joseph Mercy Hospital ︱ Ann Arbor, MI
Physician Assistant Residency - Cardiothoracic Surgery
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2015 – 2017 ︱ Nova Southeastern University︱ Orlando, FL
Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies
(Dean’s list 2015 & 2016) (Chancellor's list 2016)
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2009 – 2013︱ University of South Florida ︱ Tampa, FL
B.A. degree in Biochemistry and Biophysics
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2006 – 2009︱ Polk State College ︱ Lakeland, FL
A.S. degree in Cardiovascular Science
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2003 – 2006 ︱Polk Community College ︱ Winter Haven, FL
A.A. degree in Liberal Arts
Work Experience
Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant 4/1/22 - Current
Locum Tenens (Institutions listed below)
Sanford Medical Center - Fargo, ND — 4/1/2022 - 7/22/2022
Portneuf Medical Center - Pocatello, ID — 8/22/2023 - 2/02/2023
Mercy Medical Center - Springfield, MO — 2/27/2023 - 12/19/2023
UF Health Jacksonville — Jacksonville, FL 11/2/2023 - 4/30/2024
Portneuf Medical Center - Pocatello, ID — 5/20/2024 - current
Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant / PA Residency Education Coordinator
Advent Health Orlando / Orlando, FL / 2018-2022
Experience in this position includes a full spectrum of advanced heart failure surgical therapies as well as core cardiothoracic procedures. This includes heart and lung transplant, Ventricular Assist Device, ECMO insertion and management, total artificial heart implantation, CABG, valve surgery, and thoracic aortic work. Emphasis was placed on independent work including chest closure, complex sternal/rib plating, bedside ECMO reconfiguration (including placement of new cannula), IABP insertion/removal, vascular exposure and isolation (femoral/axillary). Bedside procedures included: open/percutaneous chest tube placement, placement of central line/arterial line/Swan Ganz/HD line, and thoracentesis. In addition to the above, responsibilities included daily ICU/PCU rounds and management, clinic and surgical/floor call. As the education coordinator of the PA resident program my responsibilities included logistics, scheduling, daily lectures, operative training, and other administrative duties.
Cardiothoracic Surgery Physician Assistant Resident
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital / Ann Arbor, MI / 2017-2018
Twelve months of intensive one on one training in the following fields: cardiothoracic surgery, Coronary Artery Disease, Aortic Valve Disease (TAVR and SAVR), Mitral Valve Disease (including robotic MVR), Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic dissections, penetrating chest trauma, Congenital Heart Disease in Adults, Esophageal Disease and Carcinoma, and Lung Carcinoma. Emphasis was placed on EVH and approximately 200 cases were logged. Bedside Procedure included Percutaneous and open chest tube placement, central line access, Swan Ganz placement, HD line placement, Arterial line placement, and Bronchoscopy. In addition to the above clinical education, there was a vigorous didactic portion that covered all aspect of perioperative cardiothoracic patient care. Independent work was expected and experience was gained in the areas of ICU and PCU management.
CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION TECHNOLOGIST
Lakeland Regional Medical Center ︱ Lakeland, FL ︱ 2009-2015
Approximately 12,000 hours of clinical experience and direct patient care with extensive understanding of invasive hemodynamics. Experienced in diagnostic right and left heart catheterizations, interventional angioplasty and stenting, atherectomy, intravascular ultrasound, pericardiocentesis, alcohol septal ablations., valvuloplasty, along with atrial and ventricular septal closure. Experienced in peripheral vascular procedures, pacemaker/defibrillator implantation, various ablation procedures including atrial fibrillation ablations. Extensive experience with hybrid transcatheter valve replacement.
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ADJUNCT PROFESSOR
Polk State College ︱Lakeland, Fl ︱ 2015
Created course content and instruction on invasive hemodynamics, cardiac output, valve disorders, cardiomyopathies, cardiovascular science and arterial blood gases. Responsible for creating assignments, projects and exams.
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LICENSURE
Physician Assistant/Substance License - Florida ︱ 2018-Current
Physician Assistant License - North Dakota ︱ 2022-Current
Physician Assistant License - Idaho︱ 2023-Current
Physician Assistant License - Virginia︱ 2023-Current
Physician Assistant License - Georgia︱ 2023-Current
Physician Assistant License - Missouri︱ 2023-Current
Certificates
NCCPA Certificate ︱ 2017-Current
DEA Controlled Substance Certificate︱ Current
Cardiac Surgical Unit Advanced Life Support ︱ March 2017
Advanced Life Support ︱ 2009 - Current
Basic Life Support︱ 2009 - Current
Pediatric Advance Life Support ︱2016
Vascular Exposure and Anastomosis Course ︱ March 2017
HeartMate 3™ and HeartMate II™ Surgical & Product Training | June 2019
SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart | March 2020
Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist ︱ 2009 - Current
Intravascular Ultrasound Image Interpretation︱ 2011
Skills
- Experience in teaching in both a classroom and clinical setting
- Strong communication skills and public speaking
- Ability to work with various Windows and Apple programs
- Honest, trustworthy and professional demeanor
- Experience with working in a stressful, high demand, fast paced environments.
- Able to work well with co-workers and collaborate in group projects
- Experience in leadership and supervisory role, able to motivate and organize others
- Quick learner and adaptive to new situations
Professional Organizations
- Association of Physician Assistants in Cardiovascular Surgery
- The Florida Academy of Physician Assistants
- The American Academy of Physician Assistants
Medical Volunteer
Hands of Esperanza - Guatemala Health Care Clinic Current | - Medical Resource Allocation Committee Chair
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Guatemala Medical Mission Trip 2016/2024
Publications:
Behavioral Health - Patient Information Videos ︱ 2017
- Cardona, Brian, Toward Healthy Mind, www.cencare.net/education
Essentials of Medical Genetics for Health Professionals (In Progress)︱2017
- Gunder, L. M., & Martin, S. A. Essentials of medical genetics for health professionals. 2nd Edition Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Awards:
Student of the Year 2017 ︱Nova Southeastern University︱2017
Thank you for your consideration
Brian Cardona PA-C
Cardiothoracic Surgery
(863) 287-2928
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Credits:
Created with images by phalinn - "OT" • Kiryl Lis - "working ecmo machine in intensive care department" • 1lenore - "Example stents" • US Army Africa - "170208-A-IO170-071" • sasint - "the device hospital surgery" • WDnet - "herb st john's wort flower closeup" • KreF - "dandelion meadow macro" • tpsdave - "arabian gulf us navy comfort ship"