The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine proudly celebrated the graduation of its December 2025 Perfusion School class on December 12. This distinguished cohort marks another milestone in THI’s long tradition of preparing highly skilled cardiovascular perfusionists who go on to serve patients and surgical teams across the country.
All graduating students secured professional positions prior to completing the program, reflecting both the exceptional training they received and the national demand for THI-trained clinicians. Martha Danielle Alcantar-Lopez was honored as this year’s valedictorian, and all graduates and their post-graduation placements include:
Martha Danielle Alcantar-Lopez
Comprehensive Care, Birmingham, AL
Sergio Alcorta
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Amanda Caine
Comprehensive Care, Birmingham, AL
Demetrius Fountain
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Diljyot Ghallon
RWJ Barnabas Health, Newark, NJ
Shawta Nicole Ham
EVT Perfusion Group, San Antonio, TX
Justin Kenneth List
Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center/CommonSpirit, Houston, TX
Luke Norman Seale
Comprehensive Care, Birmingham, AL
Dalesia Williams
Specialty Care, Houston, TX
Reflecting on the journey ahead, graduate Amanda Cain shared, “Graduating from The Texas Heart Institute will always be one of my proudest accomplishments. I am so grateful for the many skilled perfusionists who have shared their wealth of knowledge with me throughout my time here. I can confidently say that going through this program has laid a solid foundation for me moving forward into this rewarding career and I am looking forward to what the future has in store for me.”
A Year Defined by Achievement and Professional Growth
The December 2025 class distinguished itself academically, clinically, and professionally. All graduates presented at PerfCon2025, showcasing their research and applied learning. Several students also represented THI on national stages:
Graduate Justin List reflected on the path that led him to this milestone:
“Graduating perfusion school is the culmination of every step I’ve taken in my career — from respiratory therapy to flight medicine, to ECMO specialist. Each role prepared me for this one. It’s the late nights, the cases that changed me, the mentors who pushed me, and the moments I doubted myself but kept going. This milestone means growth, resilience, and the chance to make an even deeper impact on patients and their families.”
In a recorded message to the graduates, Joseph G. Rogers, MD, Director, The Texas Heart Institute at Baylor College of Medicine, provided these words of encouragement, “When you leave the walls of this institution and say that you trained at The Texas Heart Institute, that carries meaning. It reflects a legacy of excellence and teamwork, and you should be incredibly proud of it. These graduates are well prepared to step into their new roles and support patients at their most vulnerable moment.”
The Texas Heart Institute congratulates the December 2025 graduates for their commitment, resilience, and excellence. Their achievements exemplify THI’s mission to advance cardiovascular care, and their careers now begin at leading institutions across the country—continuing a legacy of service and innovation that defines the THI perfusion community.
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