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Acknowledgments

The decision to write a comprehensive text is easy in most cases. You see a need, you have a concept, and the decision to write the book is made. It is in implementing the idea that the enormity of the decision becomes apparent. Thankfully, many people along the way help in achieving our goals.

First and foremost is God. Throughout my life you have opened and closed doors for me in very strange ways. However, the path that you have helped me see has always led me to exactly where I needed to be at that moment. I trust you, and in you, with all my heart and soul.

I would like to give a special hug to my Martica, who took care of me, rubbed my neck, soothed my mind, beat me at Chinese checkers (occasionally. . .), and overall helped me keep my sanity.

I would like to thank Jones & Bartlett Learning for their support of my projects. I would especially like to thank Carol Brewer Guerrero, my editor and friend, for her tireless work on all of my projects. You have been supportive and kind to a fault. JBL does not know how lucky they are to have you! I would also like to give special thanks to Lori Mortimer, Kathryn Leeber, Scott Moden, and Troy Liston, whose expertise and hard work in polishing the appearance of this book have transformed it into a beautiful work of “art.” Finally, I would like to thank all of the copy editors and production folk who spent countless hours putting this “art” piece together.

Finally, I would like to remind my son Daniel that he always has been, and always will be, the most important part my life. To my mom, my sister, and the rest of the “Garcia” crew: I love you all deeply. You are the glue that keeps me together in this life.

—Tomas B. Garcia, MD

I would like to start off by thanking a very special couple, Dr. Robert Conciatori and his lovely wife, Maria. I would like to take this opportunity to let you both know that I consider you to be my second parents. I am eternally grateful for everything you have done for me and for all of the support you have both given me since my birth. You have both helped foster my love of history, art, medicine, family, and the need for a good hard hat! Your encouragement and support have helped spur me down my path toward becoming a physician. From the bottom of my heart I thank and love you both.

To Dr. Pedro Lopez, I will always admire your brilliance and your humility. You truly represent the best of our profession. Thank you for reinforcing my belief that a physician should always strive to be a physician first and a subspecialist second. Both my father and I consider it an honor to have you as a friend.

I would like to also thank Drs. Anthony Conciatori and Christina Vaglica for their patience and for sharing their time and knowledge with me. You are both an inspiration to me and I truly value your support and friendship.

I would also like to thank Dr. Robert Hendel of Tulane University for coming to my aid without hesitation when I needed it the most. The time I spent shadowing you in clinical practice was truly inspirational and opened my eyes to the beauty and complexity of cardiology.

I would also like to thank our Dr. Elma LeDoux who, while functioning as the faculty coordinator for the ECG Club of Tulane University, watched over us and shared with us her expertise and knowledge. In addition, I would like to thank the founding officers of the club and all of the founding members. I would especially like to honor our vice president, Prasad “Prednisone” Akula. You have been not only been an excellent leader but also a great personal friend. Because of each and every one of you, I have learned the true meaning of the phrase “Qui docet discit,” or “He who teaches, learns”.

I would like to give special thanks to Mr. Daniel Ciocca of Christopher Columbus High School. Your class not only taught me the importance of economics but it also expanded my horizons and made me admire the beauty and philosophy of our shared human nature. I would also like to thank Drs. Christoph Hengartner, Leticia Vega, and Mr. Michael Bill for their heartfelt support and guidance during my time at Barry University.

Last but not least, I would also like to honor and offer my special thanks to Carol Brewer Guerrero, our editor at Jones & Bartlett Learning. We truly appreciate your energy and tireless approach in preparing this book for print.

—Daniel J. Garcia

Jones & Bartlett Learning and the authors would like to thank the following people for reviewing this text.

Renee Andreeff EdD, PA-C, DFAAPA

D’Youville College

Buffalo, New York

Roxie L. Barnes, RN, MSN, CHSE, CCRN

Indiana University School of Nursing

Bloomington, Indiana

Liz Barrow, RCIS, CEPS

Grossmont College

El Cajon, California

Pamela Brown, RT(R)(M)RCIS

Fortis Institute

Invasive Cardiovascular Technology

Nashville, Tennessee

Alyssa M. Cahoon MPH, RN, NRP

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Jesse A. Coale, DMin, PA-C, DFAAPA

Thomas Jefferson University Physician Assistant Program; East Falls and New Jersey

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Lisa Cooper Colvin, PhD, FACSM, EP-C

San Antonio, Texas

Nicole S. Cournoyer, PA-C

Thomas Jefferson University PA Program, East Falls Campus

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Brian J. Coyne, MEd, RCEP

Duke University Hospital

Durham, North Carolina

Ellen L. Cummings, RN, MSN, CNE

GateWay Community College

Phoenix, Arizona

Susan E. Davis, RN, MSN

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Kevin Ferrier, BS, RT(R)(CV)

Polk State College – Cardiovascular Technology Program

Lakeland, Florida

James W. Fogal, MA, NRP

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama

Elisabeth M. Frails, BSRT, RCIS, MSA

Harry T. Harper School of Cardiac and Vascular Technology

Augusta, Georgia

Bradford Gildon, MA, BSRT, RT(R)

University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Annette L. Griffin RN, MSN, MBA

Rhode Island College

Providence, Rhode Island

Michelle D. Hamilton, MA-APCE, RT(R)(CI)(VI)(ARRT)

Austin Community College

Austin, Texas

Leslie Hernandez, EdD, LP, NRP, FP-C, CP-C

University of Texas Health Science Center

San Antonio, Texas

Megan S. Hunsinger, EdD, MBA, MS, RCIS, RCES, CRAT, FSICP

Sentara College of Health Sciences

Chesapeake, Virginia

Belinda C.W. Lee, MICT, RN, MPH

Kapiolani Community College

Honolulu, Hawaii

Melissa Lefave, DNP, MBA, CRNA

Jackson, Tenneessee

Donna Lester, DNP, ACNP-BC, MS, CC-CNS

Lakeland, Florida

Gainesville, Florida

Michael K. Matheny, BS, NRP, NCEE, PI

Community Health Network

Indianapolis, Indiana

Amanda McDonald, MA, NRP

University of South Alabama

Mobile, Alabama

Kristen McKenna, BS, NRP

University of South Alabama EMS Department

Mobile, Alabama

Matthew S Ozanich, MHHS, NRP

Director of Pre-Hospital Care

Trumbull Regional Medical Center

Warren, Ohio

Antoinette A. Tharrett, MSN, RN-BC, CCEMT-P, NREMT-P, Kentucky Level III Instructor

Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital

Somerset, Kentucky

Ashley N. Thompson, DNP, AGACNP-BC

UF Health

Gainesville, Florida

Gretchen Tighe, MPAS, PA-C, EMT-PM

Des Moines University

Des Moines, Iowa