116 Academics Get Fit C-FIT Harding’s New CFIT Program is currently the only one in the United States. DOWN TO BUSINESS On Aug. 29, graduate student Kiersten Pruitt considers the theological aspects of their future careers while in the classroom. Ethical dilemmas in the medical field were a common discussion topic. Photo by Abigail Callicoat Harding established the graduate program Cardiac Function and Interventional Technology (CFIT) in fall 2022. The program was designed as a 10-month program over two semesters, requiring 36 credit hours and the prerequisites of a bachelor’s degree and the completion of Anatomy and Physiology I & II. The CFIT program incorporated required classes such as Cardiac Function and Cardiac Rhythm Management and Electrophysiology with other classes requiring labs. Certain CFIT classes were designated to be business- and leadership-oriented. Tristan Pendergrass, assistant professor in the College of Allied Health, began teaching multiple courses for the CFIT program. He reflected on the structure of his courses. “Cardiac Device Career Concepts in the fall and Cardiac Device Career Leadership in the spring . . . are more oriented on leadership, management, organizational behavior. . . and teamwork,” Pendergrass said. Many of these classes were designed to build on one another. “We tell a lot of our students, ‘Your knowledge is going to get your foot in the door,’” Pendergrass said. “‘How well you work with people and how well you communicate is going to keep you there.’” The CFIT program structured students into cohorts. These groups helped students academically by boosting their confidence. Graduate CFIT student Timothy Jayne enjoyed the small groups. “We’re all working together to help encourage and uplift one another,” Jayne said. CFIT professors also actively involved themselves in the students’ academic careers. “The teachers have been fantastic,” Jayne said. “They really care about us . . . and I know that even after we graduate, they’re going to be there for us.” May 2024 CFIT graduate Trey Goudeau said CFIT’s professors “work very diligently to help you land a great job in the field of your choice.” “My experience in CFIT was fantastic,” Goudeau said. “Everything about the program is highly focused on helping the students to succeed not only in cardiovascular studies, but professionally as well.” Many CFIT graduates pursued careers in cardiac rhythm management, a path focused on devices such as pacemakers, defibrillators and electrophysiology. “CFIT absolutely helped guide my career,” Goudeau said. “CFIT is a unique program because it’s an industry-based program, providing strong interview prep and many networking opportunities with industry professionals and managers.” Pendergrass said alumni of the program and the companies they worked for have called CFIT graduates “well prepared” and “very successful.” Multiple CFIT students had the opportunity to work with accomplished doctors upon graduation. “God has been writing this story for decades,” Pendergrass said of the program. Harding’s CFIT program became the only program of its kind in the United States. “If you’re someone who knows the medical field is where you want to go, but you’re unsure of what area within the field you want to work, then CFIT is a perfect program for you,” Goudeau said. “The field [of] electrophysiology and cardiac devices is a very challenging but incredibly rewarding field to build your career.” Written by Helen Strickland
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