Instructors

Sally is Director of the Cardiovascular School of Technology for the Sentara College of Health Sciences. Specialties that she directs include Non-Invasive Echocardiography, Invasive Cardiology, Electrophysiology, and Peripheral Vascular Technologies.

Sally began her career as a Paramedic for the Baltimore City Fire Department continuing this pursuit of emergency medicine through employment with Kent County EMS, Dover Delaware and Portsmouth Fire and Rescue, Portsmouth Virginia. Following this pursuit Sally entered the cardiovascular care arena serving the community of Hampton Roads, Virginia as a Cardiovascular Technology with the Sentara Health Care System caring for patients in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory and recovery area. 

Sally pursued and earned a Bachelor’s degree majoring in Biology and Chemistry from Old Dominion University. Here, Sally participated in university research developing a higher understanding of vector borne disease. Currently Sally is a PhD candidate of Walden University Epidemiology Health Promotion finding direction for promoting health and well being for children suffering from obesity.

Sally has a defined passion and dedication for promotion of education, awareness and prevention of the cardiovascular disease states which represent the number one killer of our nation.

Patrick is the director of the invasive cardiovascular technology program at Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As director, Patrick assists with oversight and implementation of all cardiovascular core courses for invasive and non-invasive tracts, as well as developing and implanting curriculum for the invasive, electrophysiology, and special procedure courses associated with the invasive program.

Patrick began his career in cardiovascular technology as a graduate from the invasive cardiovascular program at Southeast Technical Institute. The majority of his professional career in the laboratory environment was spent at BryanLGH Medical center in Lincoln, Nebraska. During his time at BryanLGH, Patrick served as team leader in the cardiovascular catheterization department and was a member of the cardiac electrophysiology team. In 2001, Patrick designed and implemented an accredited invasive cardiovascular educational program through BryanLGH College of Health Science. In 2006, he returned to Southeast Technical Institute to become the director of the program he had originally graduated from.

Patrick was awarded a Baccalaureate of Science degree in Allied Health from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska, and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in curriculum development. Patrick’s current focus within education is the utilization of simulation and technology within medical training. He has presented at METI’s International Conference on Medical Simulation (HPSN), and is dedicated to researching and developing medical training programs that will utilize advanced technologies. 

Megan is a full-time faculty member for the Cardiac Electrophysiology program. A 1999 graduate of Bloomsburg University, with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, she went on to earn her Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology from East Stroudsburg University in 2000. From there, she worked in local hospitals performing exercise stress testing. In 2005, she graduated from Sentara School of Health Professions Invasive Cardiovascular Technology program and has been credentialed as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Technologist through Cardiovascular Credentialing International since 2005.  After working in the cardiac catheterization lab for two years, Megan accepted a position as an instructor at Sentara College of Health Sciences (then called Sentara School of Health Professions) invasive cardiovascular technology program.  

In January 2011, Megan was promoted to Program Coordinator of Cardiac Electrophysiology at Sentara College of Health Sciences.  In June 2011, she was co-director of the very first RCES Review Course in the country. Megan is a member of the Society for Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals and Heart Rhythm Society, and is currently working on her Doctorate in Education Leadership and Management through Capella University. 

Keller is a professor of Cardiovascular Technology at Valencia College in Orlando, FL.  She has a hold a Bachelor’s of Science in Applied Science and a Master’s in Business administration.  She is a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist and a licensed Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Laura started her career in the field of Exercise Science after earning a bachelors of Science from Elon College.  She continued her education by earning a Master’s in Exercise Science from Old Dominion University where she also worked in cardiac rehab as a graduate assistant.  After several years of practicing exercise science as a personal trainer, Laura pursued her passion for cardiovascular physiology and helping others by attending the Sentara School of Health Professions and obtaining her RCIS registry in 2007.  Laura now resides in Richmond, VA where she works as an RCIS at CJW Chippenham Heart Hospital.  She also works for Accessclosure per diem as an Alpha Mynx Trainer.  Laura enjoys teaching and has participated in SICP’s RCIS review Course Program. 

Brian D. McCauley, RCIS  is currently a Researcher and the Laboratory Manager for the Cardiovascular Research Institute's Translational Medicine Research Lab (TMRL) at the Raymond and Ruth Perelman University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.  Prior to his arrival to Penn's School of Medicine, he served six years on active duty in the United States Air Force (USAF) as an Independent Duty Medical Technician (IDMT) attached to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Upon completion of his enlistment, Brian gained employment at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) in Philadelphia, PA as a Patient Care Technician-Paramedic working in the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), Cardiac Intermediate Care Unit (CICU), and the Emergency Department (ED).  After being employed at the CCU for 2.5 years, the Cardiac Catheterization Staff recruited him to become an On-the-Job trained Cardiovascular Technician.

During the next seven years in the CCL, McCauley was exposed to every aspect of invasive cardiology; spanning the gamut from diagnostic/ interventional catheterization, alcohol septal ablations, right heart catheterization, pulmonary hypertension evaluations, heart transplant assessments, mechanical heart support devices, and even the management of structural heart disease including ASD, PFO, and TAVI.

In his new role, Brian serves the primary researcher, the anesthetist for the large animal lab, the first assistant during cardio-thoracic surgery, a second operator during the placement of experimental heart valves, and an active role in grant acquisition.  Additionally, Brian still sustains a per-diem position with HUP to ensure that his human interventional skills remained honed.

Brian received his Bachelors degree in 2008 from Drexel University, his Post- Baccalaureate Certificate in Pre-Medical Studies in 2009 from Drexel University's College of Medicine, and his Masters in Public Health Program at Drexel University's School of Public Health in 2011.   Brian holds a certification as a Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS).  Currently, he is applying to medical schools, wait-listed in 2011 at Drexel University College of Medicine, and hopeful on gaining entrance during the 2012 application cycle.

He maintains an active role as a clinical educator for the areas of cardiac catheterization, hemodynamics, and electrophysiology with Health Work's clinical education team.

Patrick is the the Program Director for Cardiovascular Technology/Echocardiography Program for St. Cloud Technical College in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

In 1974, he worked as a Practical Nurse for St. Cloud Technical College.  In 1978, he worked for the Navy at the Naval School of Health Sciences in Bethesda in Cardiopulmonary Technology.

In 1984, Patrick worked on getting his Associates Degree at National University in San Diego, CA where he also received a Business Degree during this time. In 1986, Patrick began working on obtaining his Bachelor of Technical Education Degree.  And then in 2003 Patrick pursued his A.S. Degree in Registered Nursing.

He is currently a presenter for the RCIS Review Courses for SICP.

Patrick enjoys spending time with his grandkids.  He has three granddaughters and one grandson.

Darren Powell is currently a tenured faculty member of Spokane Community College (SCC) in Washington State, where he is the program director for Invasive Cardiovascular Technology. Darren earned dual AAS degrees in invasive cardiovascular technology and echocardiography at SCC in 1981. He has worked at several medical centers in the Pacific Northwest as a staff technologist as well as manager of Cardiology. Darren has published articles in Cath Lab Digest, Cardiac Cath Today, and Diagnostic Imaging and has contributed a chapter on IABP for DelMar publishers and one on Diagnostic and bilateral heart cath in Watson and Gorski’s Invasive Cardiology a manual for Cath Lab Personnel. Powell enjoys public speaking for the SICP at multiple venues. He has had opportunities to visit many cath labs in the USA as well as labs in Canada, Japan, Thailand and Brazil, witnessing many differences, but with a common denominator being the desire to help patients.

Darren lives in Spokane, Washington with his wife and three children. They enjoy many outdoor activities such as boating, skiing, fishing and hunting.

Darren has been involved with the SICP for several years and is currently a member of the Education Committee.