The American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion (AACP)

Founded in 1979, The American Academy of Cardiovascular Perfusion’s commitment and primary focus is the goal of education.

One cannot talk about the beginnings of The Academy without mentioning Thomas G. Wharton. Thomas Wharton was not a perfusionist but a friend of perfusion in the true sense of the word. He worked for Travenol Laboratories for sixteen years starting in 1958. Tom then started his own company, Human Resources, Inc. During this time he served as the first Executive Director of the Journal of Extracorporeal Technology, the Executive Director of the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (1977) since the organization was given over to full time management from the outstanding volunteer work done by Ed and Audrey Berger. Tom also served as the Executive Director of the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion. In 1978, Tom moved to California accepting the position of Product Manager of tubing packs for William Harvey Research Corporation.Thomas Wharton believed in perfusion as a career and a profession. He also believed in formal education for the perfusionist. In the summer of 1979, Tom handed Earl Lawrence from Birmingham, Alabama, $2000.00 and told him to “go out and start that organization of professional perfusionists that we all need.” That is how this Academy was founded.