Welcome back to MCCP! To kick things off we welcome in Dr. Michael Mazzeffi, Associate Professor of Anesthesia at the UMMC, where he additionally acts as the Director for Resident Research Education and Adult Cardiothoracic Fellowship Program Director. He has fast become one of the foremost experts in the field of mechanical circulatory support, publishing numerous papers on the topic. Additionally, his academic prowess has yielded invitations to speak at many prestigious locations around the world. Dr. Mazzeffi was recently a key speaker at the 2016 International Anesthesia Research Society and today he has graciously offered to give us the talk that was the talk of the symposium!