The 10-Minute Interview with...Craig Cummings, RCIS, FSICP

Actually, invasive cardiology chose me. Ever since I was 16 years old, I have worked in various medical fields: emergency room, clinical lab, and chronic dialysis. In 1982, a cardiac cath lab was interviewing technologists in our area (at the time, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida) and being curious, I wanted to see what a cardiac cath lab was all about. It was, and has continued to be, an intense learning process. In this field, everything learned is for a reason, and for me, offers immediate satisfaction in what I’m doing. I feel my career has been a fantastic journey. Since my cath lab indoctrination in 1982, I’ve had a hand in training many people to work in invasive cath labs. I’m proud to say that some of these people have taken and passed the RCIS as well. As a project manager, I’ve helped to design three invasive cath lab suites in three different hospitals. (I’m hoping that the most recent one will be featured in Cath Lab Digest‘s Cath Lab Spotlight sometime this year.) What do you like best about working in the cath lab? Working with physicians and staff as a team, in a matter of minutes, we can help a person in the middle of an acute MI. We help the patient go from looking gray and feeling pain to feeling and looking much better. Patients are often astonished that they can actually breathe again. I think seeing immediate success is a definite motivation. Where do you see yourself professionally when it is time to retire? It’s hard to think of retiring. I now feel that I’m in a position where I’m able to both help administration find the data to make decisions as well as reduce any stress our cath lab staff might encounter during in their daily workload. I work at being sure the hospital gets the invasive cardiology reimbursements it should as well as with our supply and purchasing people to help the cath lab get the best value for its money. This is a great position and I find it very rewarding. Why did you choose to get involved with the SICP? How did it happen? The SICP is one of only a few organizations working all-out for the invasive cardiology arm of our field. Compared to other medical fields, invasive cardiology is relatively young. Yet our field is growing and changing exponentially in terms of what we do, both in the medical industry and for the public. In the midst of this growth, the SICP has remained very proactive in helping cath lab professionals gain recognition. I wanted to do what I could to help support growth and recognition in our field. Ultimately, I think education is the key to breaking down any barrier. In addition, it’s education that makes an individual confident in what he or she does. I can work toward all of these goals through my support of SICP. My direct involvement with SICP started when I began attending invasive cardiology seminars produced by HMP Communications (publisher of Cath Lab Digest). Can you describe your role with the SICP? My involvement started when I became an active member. An opportunity led to my being chosen as one of the Cath Lab Regional Speakers (these meetings are supported by HMP, SICP, and Cath Lab Digest). Most recently, I was nominated and accepted the Treasurer’s position on the SICP Executive Board of Directors. I work with nine other hard-working volunteers who are also on the SICP Board. Your work for the SICP is volunteer. What motivates you to continue? First, the invasive cardiology field is growing at a phenomenal rate. The creation of new technology is amazing. Second, the fact is that physicians cannot do it alone. The success of many physicians can be attributed to the dedication of the staff supporting them. Third, accelerated growth should have structure to maintain its success. I believe that the SICP, CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International) and other similar entities provide an essential structure for interventional cardiology. The SICP helps to support the continued success of the cath lab professional who in turn is supporting physicians and hospitals. I want to do what I can to keep that support alive. What is the biggest challenge you see regarding your role with the SICP? As Treasurer, to be objective in overseeing how the society uses funds for day-to-day business. There are so many agendas in cardiology today. As a board, we have set goals for the SICP in 2003. I’ll do my best to work with other board members, to make sure money is allocated properly while bringing those goals to fruition. Another challenge will be to stay abreast of the many changes and challenges happening legislatively in our field. If you could send a message back to yourself at the beginning of your cath lab career, what advice would you give? I was always pretty aggressive in finding opportunities for learning and enjoyed scrubbing with the physicians as they learned PTCA. My advice to my earlier self would be to read more invasive cardiology news and journals, and help challenge others to learn more, too. Are there any websites or texts you would recommend to other labs? There are several websites that I look at regularly. Some of my favorites are: cardiovillage.com ehshealthlink.com cathlab.com tctmd.com cathlabdigest.com eplabdigest.com sicp.com medscape.com What changes do you think will occur in the field of cardiology in the coming decades? Technically, I believe that invasive cardiology will take a more aggressive role in peripheral intervention. I believe percutaneous valve replacement will become a specialty in some hospitals. Administratively and legally, I believe that licensure for all invasive cardiology staff will be developed and accepted.

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