About Britton

Education:

  • B.S. - University of Pennsylvania - Nursing & Architecture

  • M.S.N. - University of Pennsylvania - Acute Care Certificate

  • D.N.P. - University of Pennsylvania - Nursing Informatics

  • MBA - The Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania)

  • Registered Nurse First Assist (RNFA) - UCLA

Key Accomplishments:

  • Became Managing Partner of Cardiovascular Surgical Associates P.C. in 2020.

  • Executed contracts for Cardiac FA services with 20 leading academic medical centers in first two years

  • Achieved Total Compensation payout of over $400,000 annually for each CVSA Cardiac First Assist in 2022.

Certifications:

  • ACLS / BLS

  • Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR)

  • Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA)

Experience:

I am the Managing Partner of Cardiovascular Surgical Associates P.C. where I am a DNP CRNFA in high-risk open aortic surgery. As part of my role at CVSA, I also lead our practice’s Corporate Strategy and Strategic Growth areas. I was born and raised in Atherton, CA. I obtained dual degrees in Architecture and Nursing (BSN) from the University of Pennsylvania. I began my career as a Perioperative Nurse at HUP. I eventually returned to UPenn for my Master’s Degree with a focus in Acute Care and my DNP in Nursing Informatics. During my post-graduate education, I also obtained my MBA from the Wharton School of Business.

After business school, I joined a Private Equity firm in the Silicon Valley where she led the Healthcare acquisitions group and closed a number of deals for the purchase of Physician Practice Groups. I eventually transitioned to the Portfolio Management side where I grew 4 of my previous PPG acquisitions into a $2 billion platform with over 700 specialty physicians and 450 advanced practice providers serving over 50 institutions through California, Texas, Oregon and Washington. I became a Senior Partner in 2017.

In 2020, I began working with a leading banker on the diligence efforts to acquire a stake in CVSA. After closing the deal, I agreed to join CVSA as its Senior Partner and leader of Business Development as part of her Firm’s “Entrepreneur-in-Residence” program. As part of my role, I leverage both my business acumen, clinical nursing experience, and healthcare financial background to continue building out CVSA’s platform. The first five years of my plan focuses on clinical affiliations, establishing physical locations in two additional states and bringing on more partners to serve as a critical link in the Cardiovascular Surgery value chain. I hope to extend the breadth of surgical services to include Neurosurgery and Trauma Surgery - both accretive specialties with a need for high-skilled and experienced APPs to support operative excellence at leading institutions seeking to increase case volume and breadth of capabilities.

I am currently battling Marfan Syndrome, requiring multiple extensive open aortic surgery with severe complications. I am currently scheduled for my 3rd aortic surgery.

My passion outside of work is Porsche’s. I am an auto enthusiast and am very involved in meet-ups and other activities organized by the Porsche Clubs of America (PCA). I currently have 4 Porsche’s - they are my pride and joy!

Clinical Focus Areas as a Cardiac First Assist:

  • Complex redo’s

  • High-risk patient demographic

  • Patients with underlying connective tissue disorders

  • Open aortic cases (arch, thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, bentall’s, etc.)

  • Aortoesophageal Fistula repairs

Beneficiary of an Amazing Surgical PA and Rapid Response Aortic Team:

In 2019, I began experiencing radiating pain in my back and collapsed at home as I prepared for work. I was rushed to the hospital that I work at with my colleagues knowing full well of my MFS condition. One of the Surgical PAs I work with actually came in the ambulance with EMS as she knew it was probably an AAA rupture. She was right - during the 18 min journey from my house to the Trauma Dept., I went from lucid-and-conscious to delirious to unconscious in hemorrhagic shock from blood loss - I was suffering from a ruptured pararenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. The Aortic Surgery team (the one I worked on) immediately mobilized and awaited my arrival. During the transport, they lost my pulse and the Surgical PA sprung into action straddling the gurney and performing life-saving chest compressions to maintain perfusion for the last 4 min. of transport and then from the loading dock all the way to the Operating Room. She then scrubbed-in to assist. Our amazing scrub nurses prepped me as fast as possible while I continued to undergo vigorous chest compressions. One of our best aortic surgeons performed an emergent thoracotomy to cross-clamp the descending aorta and supraceliac aorta, all while that same Surgical PA massaged my heart with her gloved hands to keep perfusion going. The team operated on me for 8 hours and had little hope for my neurologic function given blood loss, and ‘down time’ from cardiac arrest.

Amazingly, I made it out of surgery and spent 3 months in vigorous rehabilitation to deal with the neuro deficits suffered from brain hypoxia. I have since made a full recovery and am so grateful for the work of ‘my team’ and in-particular that Surgical PA who I now refer to as ‘My Angel in Surgery’.