Two paths to perfusion: Meet Danielle and Robert

Feb 23, 2026/in Career Paths, Clinical Care, Featured Articles /by mperlman

Two paths to perfusion: Meet Danielle and Robert

At Northwell Health, our team members are dedicated to the well-being of our patients and the communities we serve. Our perfusionists are an integral part of patient care before and during surgery with responsibilities that include monitoring, preparing and operating extracorporeal circulation equipment. Learn more about Danielle and Robert’s career paths to becoming perfusionists at Northwell’s North Shore University Hospital (NSUH).

From respiratory therapist to perfusionist, meet Danielle

Danielle Castellano began her career with Northwell in 2018 as a respiratory therapist. She worked in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU) where she became interested in perfusion. In 2023, Danielle was accepted into a master’s program for cardiovascular sciences in perfusion medicine. While attending classes and clinical rotations, Danielle continued working per diem as a respiratory therapist at Huntington Hospital.

In 2025, she graduated from the program and began working as a full-time cardiovascular perfusionist at NSUH. “Northwell’s emphasis on professional growth helped guide my transition into a perfusionist role and my continued growth within the organization,” said Danielle. As a perfusionist, Danielle operates the heart-lung bypass machine during cardiac surgeries, temporarily taking over a patient’s heart and lung functions to create a bloodless surgical field. She monitors and manages physiological parameters, including blood flow, blood pressure and oxygenation. Danielle also collaborates with surgical teams to anticipate surgery needs, respond to changes and manages extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for patients requiring advanced cardiac or respiratory support.

From laboratory accessioner to perfusionist, meet Robert

In 2016, Robert Lorandini began his career at Northwell as a laboratory accessioner where he received, verified and prepared patient samples for testing. With the help of Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program, Robert was able to work in the laboratory and simultaneously complete his prerequisites for perfusion school. “Northwell’s investment in my studies along with strong mentorship from my leaders and team members helped me transition into a career in perfusion,” said Robert. While in school to become a perfusionist, Robert began a perfusion clinical rotation at NSUH in 2018, which helped him build foundational skills and confidence in the cardiac operating room.

In 2019, Robert completed school and started working as a staff perfusionist at NSUH. Currently, he manages cardiopulmonary bypass and supports complex cardiac procedures in collaboration with the surgical team. In 2021, Robert began working in a student coordinator role, where he mentors and guides perfusion students while also working as a perfusionist himself.

Through educational and professional opportunities offered at Northwell, our team members, like Danielle and Robert, feel supported to grow in their careers while contributing to our mission of providing outstanding care for our patients.

Discover a career well cared for in perfusion at Northwell Health today.

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Explore two different career paths in respiratory care at Northwell Health

Feb 18, 2026/in Career Paths, Clinical Care /by kaiello

Explore two different career paths in respiratory care at Northwell Health

At Northwell, we believe your career should provide continuous opportunities for growth and support. That’s why we invest in our team members with robust benefits packages, flexible programs that promote well-being and work-life balance, and ongoing learning and development resources. When you explore a career well cared for in respiratory therapy, you’ll discover opportunities to strengthen your clinical expertise by pursuing advanced certifications or taking on new specialties or growing into a leadership role. You can get your start in a role such as a respiratory therapist.

Respiratory therapists help people who are struggling to breathe due to illness or injury. They deliver breathing treatments ordered by a physician and manage the machines and equipment that support patients’ lungs.

Here are the qualifications required for a respiratory therapist at Northwell:

Associate’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Current license to practice as a respiratory therapist in New York State, and current Respiratory Therapist (NBRC) Certification in New York State required, plus specialized certifications as needed.
One (1) to three (3) years of relevant experience, required.

Ready to explore a career in respiratory therapy at Northwell? Below, see how Darlene and Romy took different paths, demonstrating how a starting role in respiratory care can unlock many career paths within Northwell.

For the complete job profiles of each role, we invite you to visit NorthwellCareers.com or view our available respiratory therapy roles here.

Darlene’s Career Path

1988 – Certified Respiratory Therapist, South Shore University Hospital
1990 – Registered Respiratory Therapist, South Shore University Hospital
2013 – Certified Asthma Educator, South Shore University Hospital
2015 – Respiratory Therapy Assessor, South Shore University Hospital
Current position – Clinical Coordinator, Pulmonary Rehabilitation South Shore University Hospital

Romy’s Career Path

2015 – Night Supervisor, Respiratory Care, Long Island Jewish Forest Hills
2018 – Manager, Respiratory Care, Long Island Jewish Forest Hills
2021 – Senior Manager, Respiratory Care, Long Island Jewish Forest Hills
Current position – Director, Respiratory Care, Long Island Jewish Forest Hills

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Discover Kelly’s career journey as a nurse manager of perioperative services at Northwell Health’s North Shore University Hospital

Feb 02, 2026/in Featured Articles, Pharmacy /by mperlman

Kelly February 2026- Blog Feature Header (1)

Discover Kelly’s career journey as a nurse manager of perioperative services at Northwell Health’s North Shore University Hospital

Kelly MacGilvray grew her skills and advanced her career with the support of her leaders and clinical development from an OR RN fellow to an OR nurse manager at Northwell Health’s North Shore University Hospital (NSUH).

Kelly began her career with Northwell in 2018 as an OR RN fellow at NSUH. There, she gained hands-on clinical experience assisting with surgical procedures, preparing the operating room, and ensuring patient safety. In addition, Kelly learned more about surgical techniques, how to accurately document procedures, and how to communicate effectively in the operating room through collaboration with her team. This set the foundation for Kelly to begin her next role as a staff OR RN at NSUH.

As a staff OR RN, Kelly prepared the operating room, assisted the surgical team and ensured all equipment, supplies and environments were sterile. She closely monitored the patient’s condition before, during and after surgery, kept records of procedures, and worked with the operating room staff to ensure efficiency and top-tier patient care.

Kelly felt like her leaders invested in her growth and created pathways for opportunity. “From the beginning, I realized Northwell is an organization where nurses could experience long, meaningful careers,” said Kelly. “The supportive environment in NSUH’s OR and the commitment to innovative patient care made Northwell a place where I knew I could build my career.”

This led Kelly to her next role as an OR assistant nurse manager specializing in orthopedic surgery in 2023. In this position, Kelly assisted with leading and managing OR nurses and surgical technologists by ensuring the OR is properly staffed and the team is trained for surgeries. She also advocated for patient needs and ensured all ORs were equipped with the necessary equipment and adhered to all safety and hygiene standards. Subsequently, Kelly was promoted to OR nurse manager in 2025, also specializing in orthopedic surgery.

As a nurse manager, Kelly oversees the OR’s daily operations, ensuring surgical procedures are efficiently scheduled and that equipment and supplies are available. She manages and supports nursing staff and provides guidance, training, and evaluations to ensure a high standard of care. Kelly is proud of her achievements during her time at Northwell, especially her career progression and her growth into a leadership role. “From my OR fellowship to my transition through leadership roles, my leaders at Northwell have always encouraged me to take on new challenges and build my skills,” said Kelly. “The guidance and resources Northwell provided me have shaped my career and prepared me to be a nurse manager.”

As a mentor for the nurses in NSUH’s operating room, she offers advice to those looking to grow their career, “Stay curious and do not be afraid to ask questions. Be eager to learn at every stage of your career. There is something new to learn every day.”

Discover a career well cared for with our nursing team and learn more about opportunities with Northwell Health today.

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