By: Samantha Cross
Choosing clinical rotation sites is one of the most exciting milestones for students in the Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion (CVP) program at MUSC. Like all schools, there are locations across the United States to choose from, but for many years MUSC has offered its CVP students a unique opportunity – the chance to join the perfusion team at Wellington Regional Hospital in Wellington, New Zealand. This year, I was fortunate to be assigned Wellington as my first rotation site.
For perfusion students, rotations mark the transition from classroom learning to clinical practice and provide the opportunity to apply the knowledge and hands-on practice we’ve acquired over the past year to real cases, all under the supervision of practicing perfusionists. It can be a nerve-wracking transition even without being in a different country, but from the moment I arrived, I experienced nothing but the warmest welcome. While the operating room functions similarly to those in the United States, the workplace culture is quite different. I can’t speak for every hospital in New Zealand, but the atmosphere within the OR in Wellington is much more relaxed while still providing excellent, patient-focused care. It was different to see staff on a first-name basis with all the surgeons, but these relationships help create an environment that feels calm and collaborative throughout each case.
For eight weeks, I worked alongside six perfusionists who operate the heart–lung machines in the hospital’s two cardiac operating theatres. While our main goal as students is to apply what we’ve learned and refine our clinical skills, the preceptors and chief also view our presence as an opportunity for mutual learning. Starting the same day as I did was the team’s newest member, a perfusionist from Iran who had practiced there before immigrating to New Zealand. The team itself was a diverse group, with members trained in the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Comparing techniques and approaches across countries sparked many insightful discussions and highlighted how varied perfusion practice can be around the world.
Outside the operating room, I made sure to explore as much of Wellington as possible. During my first month, I joined a nighttime kiwi tour, hiked one of the nearby peaks, visited a filming location for The Shire, attended an All Blacks rugby match, and spent a very rainy afternoon at the zoo. Each experience offered a deeper connection to New Zealand’s culture and landscape.
One of the highlights of my time abroad was a weeklong circle tour of the South Island with my parents. We crossed Cook Strait by ferry, arriving at views of beautiful green water and towering fjords. Everywhere we went looked like a painting that pictures don’t do justice. After more than twenty hours in the car, my patience for road trips was thin, but my heart was incredibly full.
My rotation in Wellington was more than just a clinical experience — it was an opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. The knowledge I gained, the people I met, and the adventures I experienced have all left an enduring impression that I will carry with me throughout my perfusion career.
Samantha’s experience in New Zealand highlights the hands-on, high-impact training that defines MUSC’s Cardiovascular Perfusion (CVP) program. Through clinical rotations at leading hospitals across the U.S. and abroad, students build the confidence and skills to deliver safe, independent perfusion care.
See where your perfusion education can take you.
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