Conversations from the front lines: Respiratory therapist Amy Cato

In a new series chronicling the experiences of Augusta University heroes on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, we sit down with caregivers from across Augusta University Health to find out what they’re seeing and feeling, as well as what they’re learning about this novel disease.

For this installment, we talked with Amy Cato, one of the respiratory therapists who was instrumental in bringing the adult Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) program to Augusta University and the first RT in this area to become nationally certified in adult ECMO. (Augusta University has had a neonatal and pediatric ECMO program for many years.) This treatment became key in helping stabilize COVID-19 patients in decline.

Read more about respiratory therapists and the new adult ECMO program.