Julie Collins, CCP, LP, MS

Julie Collins, CCP, LP, MS, is the acting program director for the cardiovascular perfusion academic program at Rush. As a perfusionist for over 11 years, she has experience with adult and pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, adult and pediatric ECMO, ventricular assist devices (VADs), heart and liver transplants and more. She led the perfusion department in the VAD program and was part of the team obtaining destination therapy status for VAD patients at Rush. Collins also assisted in the development the adult ECMO program at Rush, including training ECMO specialists for pediatrics and adults and performing annual competencies. Her thesis researched the effectiveness of an arterial bubble trap in the venous lines of a bypass circuit. She has also mentored perfusion students in their research projects. Her passion is educating perfusionists of the future to be strong contributors in the advancement of perfusion and wellbeing of patients.