Top state official appointed as director of cardiovascular perfusion

Top state official appointed as director of cardiovascular perfusion

Chad W. Smith, a 20+ year veteran of perfusion sciences, is now leading the program he helped establish in 2021.

Janel Shoun-Smith | 10/29/2025

Chad W. Smith, a distinguished practitioner, state leader and educator in the field of cardiovascular perfusion science, was appointed in October as the new director of perfusion education in the Lipscomb University College of Health Sciences.

Smith, who serves as chairman of Tennessee's State Committee-Clinical Perfusion, is only the second director to oversee Lipscomb's Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion which launched in 2021. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and has graduated 35 since the program launched.

Perfusionists, who play a vital role on the cardiac surgical team, ensuring that a patient's blood continues to flow throughout the body by utilizing artificial pumps during cardiac procedures, are in particularly high demand. Currently there are only 21 schools in the nation that offer a perfusion sciences degree.

Smith has more than two decades of accomplished service spanning business ownership, clinical practice, academic administration and regulatory leadership.

"Lipscomb's College of Health Sciences is delighted to welcome Chad Smith into the role of program director for cardiovascular perfusion," said the college Dean Lynette Austin. "He is exceptionally qualified for this position, as someone who is respected throughout Tennessee and beyond for his work and leadership in the field. We anticipate that under his leadership the program will continue to grow in providing well-prepared professionals for this high-need area."

Smith, of Brentwood, was appointed as chairman of the Tennessee State Committee Chairman-Clinical Perfusion by Governor Bill Lee in 2017. In this capacity, he presides over committee meetings, oversees professional licensing and renewal processes, and investigates practice violations.

In the clinical arena, Smith has served as managing partner and clinical cardiovascular perfusionist at Palm Perfusion PLLC since 2001 and as regional director and member at Comprehensive Care Services Inc. /CCS-Palm LLC since 2021.

His clinical competencies, honed at Vanderbilt Medical Center early in his career, include all facets of advanced circulatory support and complex procedures such as adult, pediatric and neonatal perfusion, ECMO, robotic surgery, management of heart assist devices, and support for organ transplants of heart, lungs and liver.

As an entrepreneur, Smith helped establish and manage the Nashville Perfusion Conference beginning in 2015. The conference provides Continuing Education Units (CEUs) essential for licensure and certification. He also co-founded HealthcareCEUs.net PLLC.

As director of perfusion education at Lipscomb, Smith plays a pivotal role in advancing health care education through his expertise in curriculum design, resource management and specialized training in advanced clinical practices and Crisis Resource Management.

"I was drawn to Lipscomb University's Perfusion Program because it offered a unique chance to partner with a program founded on both academic rigor and Christ-centered values," said Smith. "My goal is to cultivate innovative clinical partnerships and utilize our state-of-the-art simulation facilities, in order to equip our students not only with technical skills but with the compassion and character to truly lead in patient care."

He contributed to Lipscomb's program development and admissions processes as a member of the Advisory Committee for Perfusion since 2021. As a member of the committee, he provided recommendations for changes and improvements to ensure the program is aligned with the latest advancements in the field, provided insights on new equipment, procedures, and industry trends and provided recommendations on how to allocate resources effectively.

Smith has also served as an instructor and as a crisis resource manager, providing training on unusual clinical circumstances such as power outages, equipment change-outs while on bypass, equipment failure, circuit rupture and adverse drug reactions.

Smith's academic credentials include a Master of Science in perfusion science from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in perfusion sciences from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and a Bachelor of Science in respiratory therapy from the University of Central Arkansas.

He holds certifications as a Certified Cardiovascular Perfusionist, Licensed Cardiovascular Perfusionist and Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Lipscomb's cardiovascular perfusion master's program is offered through numerous clinical partners locally in the state of Tennessee and in some of the most prestigious healthcare facilities throughout the nation. Its CAAHEP accreditation qualifies Lipscomb perfusion graduates to sit for the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP) board examinations. Certification by the ABCP is a nationally recognized standard for cardiovascular perfusion care.