Our founding collective

Annie Duong has spent her career building what wasn't there yet. A graduate of Rush University's Cardiovascular Perfusion program, she has spent over 15 years working at the intersection of cardiac surgery, critical care, and transplantation — from helping execute the expansion of the ECMO program during the H1N1 outbreak in Upstate New York, to contributing to heart and lung transplant programs at UC San Diego, to nearly a decade at Kaiser Permanente San Francisco. At each institution, she has brought an orientation of curiosity, standardization, and a drive to create environments that keep progressing.

The Perfusalife difference

Annie co-founded Perfusalife Solutions to address a critical gap in the field. As Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) becomes the national standard for Donation-after-Circulatory-Death (DCD) recovery, she built Perfusalife to serve as a partner with expert, dedicated perfusion support integrated into operational DNA — perfusion-led, device-agnostic, and structured for the complex, high-stakes demands of modern organ procurement. At California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), Annie helped her perfusion team spearhead the development of an NRP program from the ground up, building clinical protocols, aligning surgical teams, and creating the operational infrastructure required for consistent program success.

A global perspective on stewardship

Through her work with HeartCare International, Annie has traveled to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Peru to provide pediatric cardiac perfusion support. This global experience has deepened her core belief that every organ, circuit, and case is an act of stewardship. Her approach is defined by a commitment to build sustainable systems that honor the gift of donation with reverence in every instance.

Majdi is a cardiovascular perfusionist with over a decade of experience in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery and transplantation. A graduate of The Ohio State University and the Cleveland Clinic School of Cardiovascular Perfusion, he began his career at the Regional Hospital of Scranton, PA before relocating to the Bay Area, where he supported programs at leading centers including Stanford Health Care. Since 2020, Majdi has been part of the UC Davis Medical Center perfusion team, contributing to complex cardiac, liver, and kidney transplant procedures.

His dedication to advancing Normothermic Regional Perfusion (NRP) is both professional and personal — having witnessed the gift of organ donation through his father's kidney transplants, he strives to improve organ viability and recipient outcomes. Outside the operating room, Majdi is a devoted father, spoken-word artist, and active community volunteer whose work reflects his passion for service and meaningful impact.

Michelle is an accomplished Chief Perfusionist with over 30 years of clinical experience in cardiovascular perfusion. As President and Owner of Golden Gate Perfusion, Inc., she leads a team of 11 perfusionists providing comprehensive services across three Bay Area hospitals — UCSF, St. Mary's, and the San Francisco VA Medical Center.

Beyond her extensive clinical work, which includes performing more than 5,000 cardiovascular procedures, she specializes in the high-stakes execution of complex, multi-organ transplants. A dedicated mentor, Michelle is deeply committed to the future of the profession. She focuses on standardizing educational practices and training perfusion students and ICU teams in ECMO, VAD, and IABP management, and now in the transplant space.

She is instrumental in developing institutional protocols that improve clinical quality and safety. As an active member of AmSECT, ELSO, and SABM, she is dedicated to advancing perfusion practice and upholding the highest standards of patient care for the next generation of perfusionists.

Clinton is a distinguished cardiovascular perfusionist and healthcare executive with over 26 years of experience serving the Bay Area. As CEO of East Bay Perfusion Services and NorCal Perfusion Services, he leads teams dedicated to delivering high-quality perfusion care across major hospital systems.

In addition to his leadership roles, Clinton serves as Director of Pediatric Perfusion for Benioff Children's Hospitals Oakland and San Francisco, where he oversees complex congenital and pediatric cardiac procedures. He also played a pivotal role in transforming and modernizing the perfusion program at UC Davis Medical Center, strengthening clinical quality, team structure, and collaborative practices.

Under his direction, East Bay Perfusion has become the Preferred Perfusion Provider for Sutter Health, recognized for clinical excellence, reliability, and collaborative partnership. Beyond his executive work, Clint remains deeply engaged in international pediatric mission trips — an experience that keeps him grounded and drives his commitment to continuous innovation. He believes firmly in the “gift of opportunity” provided through shared expertise, a philosophy that informs how he builds teams and mentors the next generation of perfusionists.