Dwayne Accardo

Dwayne Accardo serves as Associate Professor and Program Director for the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia program at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing in Memphis, Tennessee. With over two decades of clinical experience as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in Memphis, he has been integral to UTHSC since 2002, progressing from clinical coordinator to faculty in 2006, Associate Program Director in 2008, and permanent Program Director in 2015.

His educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing: University of Mississippi Medical Center
• Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia: Webster University
• Doctor of Nursing Practice: University of Tennessee Health Science Center (focus: Advanced Obstetrical Anesthesia)

Dr. Accardo's primary research interests focus on:

• Obstetrical Anesthesia (20+ years clinical experience)
• Pharmacology education
• Regional Anesthesia techniques
• Evidence-based obstetric anesthesia guidelines

His work emphasizes safe anesthetic practices for obstetric patients, with contributions to AWHONN's regional anesthesia monitoring guidelines.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FAANA)
• Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists Patty Cornwell Practitioner of the Year award

As Program Director, Dr. Accardo mentors nurse anesthesia students through both didactic instruction in pharmacology and obstetrical anesthesia and direct clinical supervision. He actively serves on national committees including the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists' Continued Professional Certification Assessment Subcommittee and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists' Practice Management Advisory Panel, while maintaining active membership in the American Nurses Association and Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists.