Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”

Quote by Albert Einstein

Not only was Deb Pacheco an exemplary clinical perfusionist but also a fervent advocate of continuing education as well. Always one to take the time to work with perfusion students or anyone who was interested in the science for that matter, she worked tirelessly to further perfusion education. It was not unusual for her to be “working” on her days off doing research on an interesting clinical case or developing a lesson plan for her perfusion students so that they might be able to grasp the more esoteric nature of our chosen profession. Deb would always ask the most simple and yet probing question to her clinical students; Why?

It was her hope that perfusion students would develop this inquisitive nature and continue to expand their perfusion knowledge as they progressed in their careers while at the same time never forgetting to “give back” to the profession by becoming an educator of the next generation of perfusionists.

To preserve this dream, the Florida Perfusion Society (FPS), a non-profit organization, has created the Annual Deb Pacheco Memorial Scholarship which will be awarded to a perfusion student who composes and presents an outstanding case presentation for the upcoming CRITS meeting. This Scholarship will be in the amount of $2000 dollars (1st Place) and $1000 (2nd place). This should assist the perfusion student in defraying some of the costs of their perfusion education and training.

Those perfusion students who wish to apply for the Deb Pacheco Scholarship fund will be required to provide an oral presentation at the Annual CRITS meeting in Tampa, Florida. The requirements are as follows:

1. Complete an online scholarship/ abstract application.

2. Provide a Scientific Abstract in case report form.

3. Provide a small personal essay.

4. Be in good standing with a perfusion education program recognized by the CAAHEP.

Deadline for application is August 1, 2010