About The Founder

My name is Ralph Kodjovi Abalo and I am an American perfusionist certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion (ABCP). I graduated from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2018 with a Master’s degree in Perfusion Science, and am the first perfusionist from Togo, West Africa, where I attended elementary and high school before moving to the United States to major in Biology at Bellevue University in Nebraska. I was looking forward to playing on Bellevue University’s men’s soccer team, but I unfortunately blew out my knee before my Bellevue Bruin’s career even began. I underwent knee surgery and returned home to Togo to recover.

Growing up, I never thought about working in the healthcare field until I had the operation on my left knee following my soccer injury. After my surgery, I was amazed by everything that was done to me because I had never seen anything like that before in my country. I started asking the medical team questions and got vital answers. I was fortunate to be at the right place at the right time, which helped me to make a very important decision in my life. I soon returned to the United States, this time with academics as my top priority. With hard work and determination, I graduated with honors from Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska, with an Associate of Science in Radiography, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging. Truly, it was not always easy, as I now had a family, and I was working full- time in environmental services cleaning patient rooms and the clinical areas so I could cover a part of my tuition and receive health insurance

More than anything, I strongly believe that an education is the most effective way to open doors in life, which is why I feel obligated to help elementary-aged children get solid primary instruction. I learned very early on when I moved to the States that I can be who I want to be through hard work and a dedication to learning everything I can about being a healthcare professional.

My training in perfusion science has enabled me to work with and help patients with different cardiac diseases as well as build professional relationships across the USA. I love and am proud to be a part of this extended perfusion family.

As a perfusion family member, I dream big and I have a goal: to build the first library in Togo, West Africa to give the children there a resource that many Americans take for granted, but could actually change their lives.

With your assistance, I know it is possible. I cannot do it by myself, so I am inviting you to join me in this small act with long-lasting benefits. While there are many paths to meet this goal, I believe that a library will not only provide a chance at an education that these kids wouldn’t have otherwise had, but also a place where they can go that would be dedicated to learning, thinking, and dreaming