ECMO Professional Development & Education (PD&E)

The University of Michigan Health ECMO Program, established in 1981 by Dr. Robert Bartlett —known as the “Father of ECMO” — was the world’s first ECMO program. The department became further formalized in 1989 with the addition of dedicated, full-time ECMO specialists. 

With decades of experience in ECMO training and a rich history and tradition, the University of Michigan Health ECMO Program has been an industry leader in ECMO education from its founding and remains committed to excellence in training today. Recognized for its high standards, the program holds ELSO platinum certification, a mark of distinction in ECMO care and education.

This commitment to quality is exemplified by our ELSO-endorsed courses: the Step 1 didactic education and the Step 2 simulation training. Achieving ELSO endorsement requires meeting rigorous standards in both didactic content and high-fidelity simulation. Participants can feel confident that this combined didactic and simulation course will thoroughly prepare them for the ELSO E-AEC certification exam.