The CRNA Program

The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia offers an intense academic and comprehensive clinical curriculum. Students will gain experience in a variety of clinical specialty areas including cardiothoracic, neurosurgical, genitourinary, gynecologic, head and neck, plastic, orthopedic, trauma, obstetric, pediatric and outpatient procedures. Students will have at their disposal the most sophisticated anesthesia equipment. Under the guidance of expert CRNA and physician faculty primarily provided by the Keck School of Medicine/Department of Anesthesia faculty, resident nurse anesthetists are responsible for the administration and management of general anesthesia, regional anesthetic techniques and modalities of invasive monitoring. Students also receive experience in acute and chronic pain management. The Program offers an optional Specialty Fellowship in a variety of anesthesia modalities. Clinical instruction is offered in numerous state of the art medical centers in Southern California. The ratio of students to faculty is usually 1:1 and never exceeds 2:1. Clinical instruction is provided by both CRNAs and physician anesthesiologists. By graduation, students must have provided anesthesia services for at least 550 cases and are expected to manage all aspects of perioperative care. Students will be prepared to become a valued member of the anesthesia care team and develop critical thinking skills that far exceed minimum standards for entry level practice. Graduates of the Program are academically and clinically prepared to provide quality anesthesia care to meet the health care needs of the community and its diverse population. Upon completion of all clinical and academic requirements, graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination given by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists.

The USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia is accredited until 2009. The Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 222 S. Prospect Ave., Park Ridge, IL, 60068, (847) 655-1160. The Program’s next accreditation review is scheduled for October 2008.

THE UNIVERSITY

The University of Southern California is located in the heart of one of the world's most dynamic cities. For over 125 years USC has enjoyed a wonderful and rewarding relationship with the Los Angeles community. This culturally diverse city, together with the University, provides a unique environment in which to learn from and experience urban America. USC is the oldest independent research university in the western United States and currently ranks in the top ten of all universities in federal research support and endowment. USC offers graduate degrees in 189 disciplines through the Graduate School and its twenty professional schools. Its reputation for education and research is world-renowned.

THE KECK SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

The Keck School of Medicine was the first medical school in Southern California and the oldest private university medical school in the West. The graduates of the Keck School of Medicine have fostered better health for people around the globe in all fields of medical care. The faculty direct the studies of over 600 medical students and more than 200 students pursuing graduate degrees in one of the school’s seven basic science departments. USC offers a rich blend of clinical experience, theory, management and research, the essential elements for practice and success in the changing health care environment.
The Department of Anesthesiology provides “state of the art” care for patients undergoing all types of surgical procedures. Faculty with particular expertise are available in areas such as cardiac anesthesia, neuroanesthesia, trauma and organ transplant. The graduate students in nurse anesthesia have the opportunity to experience a wide variety of clinical situations.

The location of the Program of Nurse Anesthesia on the USC Health Sciences campus is ideal. The campus also houses the Keck School of Medicine, the School of Pharmacy, and the departments of Biokinesiology, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. Located approximately 9 miles from the University Park Campus and adjacent to Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center, the campus occupies over 15 acres. Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Research Facility, USC University Hospital and Healthcare Consultation Center, and Doheny Eye Hospital and Clinic are all located on the campus.

THE FACULTY

The faculty of the USC Program of Nurse Anesthesia are widely recognized as experts in the field. Our faculty are actively involved in research providing an outstanding opportunity for graduate students to participate in a variety of mentored scholarly venues. The nurse anesthetist clinical faculty are actively involved in both the clinical and didactic educational program.

Michele E. Gold, CRNA, PhD. (Program Director): Dr. Gold is an associate professor of clinical anesthesiology and has been a nurse anesthesia educator for 22 years. Her teaching experience primarily focuses on pharmacology. Dr. Gold has authored numerous publications in pharmacology and anesthesia and is involved in research projects in both areas. Dr. Gold recently was a Clinical Research Scholar for the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Foundation and the recipient of the “Researcher of the Year” award in 2004.

Terrie E. Norris, CRNA, EdD. (Associate Director): Ms. Norris is an assistant professor of clinical anesthesiology and has been a nurse anesthesia educator for 10 years. Her teaching experience focuses on basic and advanced principles of anesthesia. Ms. Norris recently won Didactic Instructor of the Year, an award given by the graduating students. Her past research has examined the use of muscle relaxants and their reversal. She is currently working on her doctoral degree in Higher Education with an emphasis on nurse anesthesia student clinical performance evaluation tools.

Philip D. Lumb, MB, MS, FCCM (Chair/Professor of Anesthesia/Medical Director, Program of Nurse Anesthesia): Dr. Lumb is Professor and Chair of the Department of Anesthesiology. He is an expert in the fields of cardiac anesthesia and critical care medicine. He is active in numerous national and international anesthesia and critical care societies. He is immediate Past-President of the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine Council and past Chancellor of the American College of Critical Care Medicine. His research interests include reperfusion injury, cardiopulmonary interactions and risk prevention in anesthesia and critical care environments.