Learn about our members

Professional Associates (PA) is a community of nearly 50 educators, scientists, innovators, business leaders, policymakers, and professionals who bring their real-world experience to support Fort Lewis College. Members share a commitment to strengthening student learning, enriching faculty teaching, and advancing community partnerships across the Four Corners.

Expertise across disciplines

PA members represent seven core areas of expertise:

  • Medicine, public health, and life sciences
  • Engineering, physical sciences, and technology
  • Environmental science and ecology
  • Education, sociology, and community development
  • Arts, communication, and humanities
  • Leadership, strategy, and organizational management
  • Law, policy, and government service

This breadth of knowledge allows PA members to serve as guest lecturers, mentors, advisors, and collaborators—bringing valuable insight to classrooms, academic programs, and community initiatives.

History and purpose

Professional Associates was established in 1999 by President Kendall Blanchard as a strategic advisory group. Since then, its role has expanded to include direct support for students, faculty, and community programming—while maintaining a strong advisory partnership with college leadership.

Meet our members

Each member brings a unique background and perspective to Fort Lewis College. Browse the directory below to explore individual bios, professional experience, and areas of expertise.

Deborah Baldwin

baldwindeborah3@gmail.com

Profession: Cardiopulmonary Perfusionist (in open-heart surgery and intensive care for both pediatric and adult patients) | Critical Care/Trauma Nurse | Lieutenant United Sates Navy, Veteran

Education

  • BSN, Nursing California State University, Chico, CA
  • Certificate Cardiopulmonary Perfusion, St. Vincent Heart Institute in conjunction with Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland OR

Career Highlights

With a distinguished 40-year career in medicine, Deborah Baldwin has dedicated her expertise to critical care and open-heart surgery. She began as a critical care nurse in the United States Navy, working in intensive care units before advancing her education in cardiopulmonary perfusion. For 35 years, she played a crucial role in open-heart surgeries managing cardiopulmonary bypass procedures and initiating ECMO support in intensive care settings.

Beyond clinical practice, her career encompassed leadership roles in management, education, program development, and training of perfusion interns.

Deborah also contributed to global healthcare initiatives through coordination and execution of pediatric open-heart surgery medical missions in Chile, facilitating collaboration between American and Chilean medical teams, and serving as a clinician during the missions overseas.