Joe Basha

BS, CCP, LP

CEO of HET

Joseph has been a practicing clinical perfusionist for 40 years. Currently, Joseph is the CEO of Houston Extracorporeal Technologies and is the program director of The New Orleans Conference and MediWeb which includes PerfWeb and NurseWeb.

Rebecca Bolkovac

BS, CCP, LP

Staff Perfusionist with HET since 2019

Rebecca received a Bachelor of Science from Carlow University located in Pittsburgh, PA. In 2007, she completed her perfusion training through the UPMC Shadyside School of Perfusion. Serving different locations in the state of Virginia, she gained the experience of maintaining an independent perfusion lab and was the lead perfusionist in the start-up of an open-heart program. While working in the newly established heart program, Rebecca discovered a love for education when she helped facilitate the training of nurses in the fundamentals of ECMO use in the ICU setting and other perfusion related topics. She is currently covering adult cardiac, TAVR, and ECMO procedures in the Houston area, serving several facilities with Houston Extracorporeal Technologies. She loves to be a part of the evolving world of perfusion and utilizing every opportunity to improve on both a professional and personal level. When Rebecca is not working, she loves to take her family on weekend trips to explore new places, she also loves being creative through art by painting, drawing and trying DIY’s.

Nina De La Cruz

CCP, MS

Staff Perfusionist with HET since 2023

Born and raised in Alaska, Nina developed a passion for healthcare early on. She earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada and a Master’s degree in Cardiovascular Science from Midwestern University in Arizona. With over a decade of experience as a Perfusionist, Nina has worked in major hospitals across Maryland and the Houston area. She is a Certified Clinical Perfusionist, known for her meticulous approach and dedication to patient care. In addition to her clinical work, Nina stays current with advancements in the field through continuous education and professional development. Outside of work, Nina enjoys traveling and exploring new places, which adds a refreshing balance to her professional life.

Thomas Disalvio

BS, CCP, LP

Staff Perfusionist with HET since 2023

Thomas has worked with heart patients since 1988. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University, Class of 1990. He has a BS degree in Exercise Technology with a specialty in Corporate Fitness and Cardiac Rehabilitation. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets, Squadron 10, class of 1990. In 1995 Thomas obtained his Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Cardiopulmonary Perfusion from The Texas Heart Institute School of Perfusion Technology. He is one of a very few perfusionists to have had the privilege of working with two pioneers in the world of heart surgery, Dr. Michael E. DeBakey and Dr. Denton Cooley. Thomas credits his mom, Irma DiSalvio, for setting an example that hard work, integrity, and service are virtues of success. He pays his respects to the late Dr. Robert E. Gulde, who gave him his first official job working in a private Cath lab. This clinical experience gave him the opportunity to move to Houston, TX, where he eventually became a Perfusionist. Thomas loves Perfusion. He is honored to work with a such high caliber Perfusion organization that HET is. He is grateful to be in a position, with HET, to give back the Perfusion community through HET’s extensive education program, MediWeb. Thomas has over 27 years of experience in long-term and short-term artificial life support devices. Procedures he participates in regularly are heart/lung/liver transplant, major vascular repair, major surgeries on the heart, and long term and short term heart and lung devices, vascular clot removal, and isolated limb/cavity chemotherapy lavage. He enjoys travel, is an avid mountain biker, adventure racer, and triathlete. He is currently working towards his black belt in karate.

Melisa McNutt

MS, BS, CCP, LP

Staff Perfusionist with HET since 2022

Melisa grew up in The Woodlands area and relocated to College Station, Texas to receive her undergraduate & graduate degrees in Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University. In 2018, she finished her perfusion training at UPMC Shadyside School of Perfusion in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Upon graduation from perfusion school, she began her career with SpecialtyCare providing perfusion services for several hospitals in Fort Worth, Texas. Melisa is excited to return to her hometown and join HET as a practicing perfusionist. When Melisa is not holding tubing clamps in a hospital, she enjoys being a wife & mother, traveling, reading, exploring restaurants/coffee shops, and socializing with family/friends.

Clark Millican

BS, RRT, CCP, LP

Staff Perfusionist with HET since 2017

Clark has been a long-standing Houston area resident and currently works with HET as a Staff Perfusionist. In 1992, he graduated with honors from the Texas Heart Institute (UTHSC) with a Bachelor of Science in Perfusion. During his 28 years in perfusion, he has worked with groups in Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, and Florida. Prior to becoming a licensed perfusionist, Clark earned a degree in Respiratory Therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). As a member of the United States Tennis Association, Clark enjoys playing in local matches and tournaments. His other interests include fishing, field sports and backyard grilling. Clark and his wife Dianne have been married for 37 years and have two married children and a three-year-old grandson; which all live in the Conroe area.

Mindy Navarrete 

BA, CCP, LP

Staff Perfusionist with HET since 2024

Mindy received her Bachelor of Arts from University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls Iowa. She then attended perfusion school in Philadelphia at Episcopal School of Perfusion. After graduating from perfusion school in 1994 she worked in Washington DC at George Washington University Hospital and then moved to Yorktown Va where she worked for over 20 years. Mindy is married and has 3 children who she enjoys spending time with. When not working she enjoys playing ping pong and hockey.

Samir Patel

MD, CCP, LP

Staff Perfusionist with HET since 2024

Samir Patel is a versatile professional with a rich background in the tech and medical fields. After earning his MCSE in Networking Engineering from Southern Methodist University, Samir spent 7 years working as a Network Engineer in Houston. However, driven by a long-standing medical interest, he transitioned to the healthcare field. He earned his M.D. from a medical school in St. Kitts Island, completing clinical rotations in Chicago.

Samir practiced medicine in India for 6 years, specializing in Acute Stroke management and critical care. His work in the ICU at Sarvoday Hospital exposed him to cardiovascular procedures, sparking a passion for perfusion. As a recent graduate of UTHealth’s Perfusion program, Samir is thrilled to bring his unique blend of technical and medical expertise to the cardiovascular operating room.

Outside of his professional life, Samir is a passionate sports fan who enjoys watching basketball, football, and baseball, as well as playing billiards. He also has a love for building computers, fixing cars, and cooking. Samir is delighted to be back in Houston with his wife and daughter, pursuing his passion for cardiovascular perfusion.

Dafne Rodriguez

BSN, RN, CCRN, CES-P, CES-A, CCP, LP

Staff Perfusionist with HET since 2024

Dafne Rodriguez is a dedicated healthcare professional with seven years of experience as a Pediatric ICU nurse and ECLS Primer. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with honors from Texas Lutheran University in 2017 and went on to complete the Cardiovascular Perfusion Training Program at UTHealth Houston McGovern Medical School. Dafne began her career at Texas Children’s Hospital, where she established a solid foundation in critical care. Later, she was instrumental in training and developing the ECLS program at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she helped enhance critical care services for the most vulnerable patients.

With extensive experience in high-pressure environments, she has become a trusted collaborator with surgical and critical care teams, ensuring positive outcomes in complex cardiac cases. Now, as she begins her career as a perfusionist, Dafne is excited to continue delivering exceptional care with a strong focus on patient safety.

Outside of the operating room, Dafne is an adventurer at heart. She loves traveling to tropical destinations, sampling new cuisines, and immersing herself in different cultures. Back home in Houston, you’ll often find her weightlifting, biking with her husband, or baking to unwind. Her creativity truly shines during Halloween, as she transforms her home into a festive, spooky celebration each year.

Minh Q. Tran

BS, RRT, CCP, LP

Staff Perfusionist with HET since 2013

Minh has been involved in health care for over 17 years in which began in the greater New Orleans area where he grew up. He graduated from LSUHSC in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science. A double occupational major in Respiratory Therapy and Cardiac Ultrasonic Sonography. He was also part of the Ochsner medical relief team during Hurricane Katrina, in addition to volunteering as relief help for Hurricane Ike in the Greater Houston area in 2008. He worked in respiratory care from 2002-2008 and then graduated from THI School of Perfusion Technology in 2008. He began his Perfusion career in Richmond, VA where he worked with Specialty Care during 2009-2012. In Richmond he was instrumental with the CV team helping to introduce a HeartMate II LVAD program in addition to performing minimally invasive robotic mitral valve repairs. He then continued his next venture to the Houston area where he became part of the Houston Methodist CV team at TMC. There he was able to continue to build on his experience and knowledge in addition to sharing his own with the perfusion program and became a part of the heart failure program assisting with LVAD, Bi-VAD, Tandem and total artificial Heart implants. After joining HET in 2013 he is involved in the coverage of many areas of Houston from the Woodlands throughout to downtown for coverage relief with TMC Memorial Hermann. He is also a faculty member involved with occasional appearances and offers help with PerfWeb. When Minh is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters on vacations to the beach. His hobby’s and interest are basketball, golf, weightlifting, salsa and ball room dancing.