Pain Management

Graduate Program

Advisor/Contact

John Maye, PhD, CRNA, Professor
Adv. Pain Mgmt. Education Coordinator
johnmaye@usf.edu

Zuzana Moore, MA
Academic Services Administrator
(813) 974 8127
zmoore@usf.edu

This innovative advanced pain management certificate for certified registered nurse anesthetist providers offers the following features:

Rigorous clinical and academic fellowship program
Five sequential courses over three consecutive semesters
Evidence-based guidelines in understanding and treating both acute and chronic pain
Focus on the concept of pain beyond traditional views of interpretation and modulation of nociceptive impulses

Course Location/Delivery

The certificate program is online and requires a two-day simulation/cadaver experience at USF CAMLS in Tampa, FL, and on-site clinical residency.

The Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS) is a 90,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility with a wealth of health professional education and training, for both individuals and teams.

Course Sequence

For this special program, class size is limited to 30 students each year. The course sequence is available in the Graduate Catalog.

Program Overview

The Advanced Pain Management Fellowship at the USF, College of Nursing, proposes that pain is a complex phenomenon mediated through mechanisms that involve more than the traditional views of tissue damage. Traditional views of aligning pain only with tissue damaging stimuli are limiting and may be the driving force behind economic costs associated with the treatment of pain to be estimated at $560-635 billion annually. Pain fellows at USF will consider the physical, psychological, and social aspects of the individual as they develop approaches to pain management plans. Those who enroll in the fellowship will be presented with a challenging curriculum intended to transform traditional views and provide the knowledge and skills necessary to vastly improve the treatment of pain.

This highly innovative online program consists of five courses to be delivered sequentially over three consecutive semesters. The concepts presented in each course will establish a framework of knowledge intended to impart the certified registered nurse anesthetist with the necessary background to understand and treat pain utilizing effective and relevant evidence-based guidelines.

The curriculum in each course will address the concept of pain beyond the traditional views of interpretation and modulation of nociceptive impulses. Pain not only evolves from tissue damaging stimuli, but may also serve as a consequence of the way stress, sleep, and central autonomic nervous system tone affect the brain.

The Advanced Pain Management Fellowship student handbook includes information on procedures, and guidelines.

More information is available in the Graduate Catalog.
Application Process

Please visit the Office of Graduate S tudies, Graduate Certificates website for the application process and online application for admission. (Note: the application process for fall admission will initiate on January 18, 2023)

Program specific materials should be submitted via email to Zuzana Moore. These include:

1. A copy of your transcript from a Nurse Anesthesia program
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Letter of Interest
4. Reference letter from a supervising clinician/clinical colleague
5. Copy of an active NBCRNA card

Official transcripts need to be submitted to:

University of South Florida
Office of Graduate Certificates
140 Seventh Avenue South, PNM 102
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

gradstudies@usf.edu

Application Deadlines

Visit the Innovative Education's Graduate Certificates, How To Apply page for the current deadlines.
Admission Requirements:

Applicants must have a master/doctoral degree from an Accredited Nurse Anesthesia Program and be a Board Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist with a minimum of two years experience at the program start (yearly in August). A minimum 3.0 GPA on all graduate-level course work.

Prerequisites:

Practicing nurse anesthetist (CRNA)

Tuition and Fees*:

The Pain Management certificate program follows the same tuition structure as our Nurse Anesthesia program.

Tuition and Fees: Please visit the University Controller's Office for the Current Graduate Rates (state, local, and other fees).

Student Expenses: Travel, hotel accommodations, and meals

*Please Note: The tuition and fee information listed above is for estimation purposes and can be subject to change.
What is the goal of the fellowship?

The goal of the Advanced Pain Management Fellowship Program is to provide nurse anesthetists with a fundamental understanding of the pathophysiology, pharmacology, assessment, and interventions relevant for the treatment of pain through academic and clinical experiences.

What is the mission of the fellowship?

To improve patient care and accessibility to care through knowledge and education regarding advanced pain management.

What courses will I take and how will it benefit me as a CRNA provider?

The curriculum will provide a strong base in concepts of pain pathophysiology, pharmacology of pain management, assessment and psychology of pain, and interventional procedures for pain management. Graduates will be prepared to meet the growing demand for pain management and develop opioid sparing strategies improving the treatment of pain. See the Graduate Catalog for more information.

How are the courses structured?

The first four courses each have eight modules. Each module contains (1) course, (2) modules, and (3) presentation objectives. Each module also contains at least one and sometimes two faculty-developed video presentations with several supporting videos to build on learning concepts. Each module has additional instructional materials with learner activities and assessment outcomes all carefully aligned with the objectives of the course. Learner activities and assessment outcomes are advanced and reflective of a graduate education curriculum with development of manuscripts, power point presentations, discussion board posting, quizzes, and final exams. The fifth course is the clinical course and has clinical hour and case requirements (contact the program for details).

Will I have to come to Tampa?

Students are required to come to the CAMLS training facility during the spring semester (usually mid-April) for a two-day simulation/cadaver experience. Under faculty supervision, students will be evaluated as they perform interventional procedures on simulators and human cadavers and as they perform a physical examination on a standardized patient. Visit the CAMLS website for hotels, directions, and parking details.
What is the simulation center like in Tampa?

The CAMLS training facility provides hands-on instruction and assessment to ensure learner competency. Examples of the learning modalities include standardized patients, ultrasound equipment, fluoroscopy equipment, a CT scanner, cadavers, animal models, and a variety of low and high-fidelity simulation models. Visit the CAMLS website to learn more and explore the facility.

Is the fellowship accredited?

The fellowship has received a five-year accreditation through the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and is accredited through May 2027.

When are tuition payments due?

Tuition payments are due the fifth day of each term. For details regarding tuition deadlines see the University Controller’s Office website.

When can I apply?

The fellowship will accept up to 30 students yearly on a rolling admission basis. You can apply anytime after Feb. 1 of the year you want to matriculate. Each class or cohort will start in August and graduate the following August.

Will the program make me eligible for the NSPM Examination?

The program meets the academic and simulation course requirements to sit for the NSPM examination. However, attendance in the fellowship will only provide one of the three required letters of reference required to sit for the examination. The additional two letters will have to be obtained from clinical practice associates or mentors you work with within the pain field. The student is instructed to obtain the NSPM handbook from the NBCRNA to identify all the requirements. As you read the content of the NSPM examination and the content of the USF Simulation-Based Academic Fellowship in Advanced Pain Management note that approximately 80-85 percent of the content is covered in the fellowship. The prospective fellow would have to find additional resources to cover the gaps.

Will there be a final examination?

The fellowship will utilize the simulation/cadaver experience in March as part of the didactic outcome assessments. The simulation experiences will ensure that retention and application of knowledge has occurred. Each fellow will be graded on their performance of a physical examination with a standardized patient as well as several interventional procedures performed on either a simulator or cadaver.

Is clinical training a requirement?

All of those who are enrolled must complete clinical training in the final semester of the program. The USF Advanced Pain Management Fellowship presently has more than 24 clinical training sites across the nation. Please check with the program director for the details of clinical requirements and assignments.

Can I use my VA benefits?

Yes, contact the Office of Veteran Success. Start this process as early as possible to avoid any delays.
For additional information visit the Innovative Education Office at: http://gradcerts.usf.edu

Note: Admission to a graduate certificate program does not imply automatic acceptance into a graduate degree program.

All information contained on this page is for informational purposes only.

John Maye, PhD, CRNA

Fellowship Director

Dr. John Maye is a Professor and the Program Director for the Advanced Pain Management Fellowship at the University of South Florida, College of Nursing. He retired from the United States Navy in 2015 at the rank of Captain after serving for 27 years. In addition to his clinical responsibilities within the Navy, he was assigned multiple leadership positions to include: Director of Research for the Nurse Anesthesia Program at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland and Executive Director for the Tri-Service Nursing Research Program Dr. Maye has published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles. In 2009, Dr. Maye received the prestigious John F. Garde Researcher of the Year award from the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists which recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to the practice of anesthesia through research.

David W. Hart, DNP, CRNA, NSPM-C

David W. Hart received his BSN from Washburn University (Magna Cum Laude), Master of Nursing from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Doctor of Nursing Practice from Chatham University, completed the initial Non-Surgical Pain Management Fellowship at the University of South Florida and became certified in NonSurgical Pain Management in 2018. As the primary clinical investigator, he has explored battlefield anesthesia (Daniel Inouye Award for Research-2006), alternate methods of deep sedation (Alternatives to propofol for endoscopic procedures: An evidence-based inquiry, 2014) as well as alternatives in steroid injections (A review of the analgesic benefits and potential complications related to epidural corticosteroid injections-2019).

Dr. Hart is a practicing CNRA in a rural CAH in northeast Kansas where he has developed a robust ultrasound guided peripheral nerve block practice, pain management practice, incorporates opioid-free anesthesia techniques and provides clinical instruction and mentorship for the University of Kansas Department of Nurse Anesthesia Education.

He has presented conference topics that have included:

Opioid Free Anesthesia
Advanced Assessment, Diagnosis, and Psychology of Pain
Finding New Pain Management Modalities
Perioperative Management of the Chronic Pain Patient
Acute and Chronic Pain Management in a Rural Setting
Epigenetic Impact in Practice and
Steroid Choices in Interventional Pain Management

Dr. Hart also instructs the USF Advanced Pain Management Fellowship course on the Pathophysiology of Pain and advanced physical exam covering topics such as:

Basic Mechanisms of Pain
Phases of Pain
Common Neuropathic Pain Syndromes
Common Pain Conditions
Genetics and Epigenetics of Pain
Interdisciplinary Pain Management and
End of Life pain Management Strategies

Hobbies include reading, sitting behind a sweet drum kit, supporting local community theater and the humane society.

Ben Campbell, MS, Lt COL (Ret), CRNA, NSPM-C

Ben Campbell obtained a BSN from Mississippi College in 1981 and obtained a MS in Nurse Anesthesia from the Medical College of Virginia / Virginia Commonwealth University in 1985. Most of his anesthesia career has been spent as an independent contractor and in CRNA only practices. He retired from the United States Army Reserve with 28 years of service and 5 deployments. Multiple tours were in forward surgical teams and combat support hospitals providing combat casualty care. His wife M.J. and he founded Anesthesia Specialists, P.A. in 2000 and both have worked as 1099 contractors since. Ben served in many leadership positions with the Arkansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists including President. He has served on the Practice Committee and Resolutions committee of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. In 2020 Ben completed the Advanced Pain Management Fellowship at the University of South Florida and passed the national board certification in nonsurgical pain management the same year. Recently he helped establish Mena Interventional Pain Specialists in Mena, Arkansas to provide nonsurgical pain management services to that community. Ben Campbell teaches Pain Management Clinical Residency.

Brian T. Gegel, DNAP, CRNA

Brian T. GEGEL, DNAP, CRNA is an adjunct instructor in the Advanced Pain Management Fellowship at the University of South Florida. Additionally, he is an Assistant Professor in the Anesthesia for Nurses program at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr Gegel has greater than 25 publications from peer reviewed journals, participated in multiple physiologic research studies with the US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (USAGPAN), and presented at the local/state/national levels. He completed his anesthesia training through USAGPAN, doctoral education at Texas Wesleyan University in 2013, and graduated from the inaugural class of this fellowship. Lastly, Dr Gegel is a military trained CRNA with 20 years of anesthesia experience, a combat veteran, and owns/operates an all veteran CRNA group in San Antonio, TX where he resides with his family.

W. Keith Barnhill, Ph.D, CRNA, ARNP

Dr. Barnhill has practiced pain management and nurse anesthesiology for over 30 years. He received his Master’s in Health Science from the Texas Wesleyan/U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing 6F-66F and earned his Doctorate in Nursing Education from Capella University. His primary work is clinical pain management and pain education since 2001. He has published in the AANA Journal, Journal of Nursing, and authored several clinical practice and education programs on fluoroscopic radiation safety and Nonsurgical Pain Management (NSPM).

Adjunct Clinical Faculty and Clinical Site for NSPM Fellowship
Owner Premier Pain Management Externship in NSPM
AANA Subject Matter Expert as part of CMS Multi-Jurisdictional Contractor Advisory Committees (CAC)
Member of the Iowa Board of Nursing Advanced Practice Committee
Diagnosis and Management for Chronic Pain-Related Disorders
Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Pain Management
Fluoroscopic-Guided Regional and Spinal Interventions

Steve Marquardt, MSN, CRNA, NSPM-C

Steve Marquardt is Chief CRNA at Nevada Regional Medical Center in Nevada, MO. He has practiced there for the last 15yrs in both anesthesia and pain management. He obtained a master’s degree from Truman Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia in 2001. He was a graduate of the first class of USF pain fellows in 2017 and became one of the earliest CRNA's in the country to become NSPM certified in 2018. Steve has been adjunct faculty for USF since 2018 providing hands on instruction for the pain fellowships cadaver/simulation component. Steve is married and has three boys. He enjoys time with his family and managing his rural acreage for wildlife and conservation.

Russel Plewinski, DNAP, CRNA, NSPM-C

Russel grew up in Long Beach California. His wife of 22 years is a registered nurse and they have 3 boysn ages 17,19 and 25 and presently live in California.

Russel is a 22 year Navy Veteran assigned stateside, overseas and on board forward deployed navy ships. He provided anesthesia in all settings including small, medium and large stateside military and civilian hospitals. He served as sole anesthesia provider onboard the USS Kitty Hawk (aircraft carrier) and also provided anesthesia at various Level 1 Trauma centers in California and Colorado. With total of 20 years anesthesia experience, he dedicated the past decade to multidisciplinary interventional pain management. He founded the interventional pain service within the Veterans Administration Hospital in Manchester New Hampshire. This service continues to provide multidisciplinary pain management services to over 2000 veterans in chronic pain. There were no pain management services available to New Hampshire veterans prior to founding this clinic.

Lisa Pearson, CRNA, NSPM-C

Dr. Lisa Pearson is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and Board-Certified Pain Management Provider (NSPM-C) from Colorado. Dr. Pearson obtained her Master’s in Anesthesia from Newman University and her Doctorate from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is also a graduate of the University of South Florida (USF) Advanced Pain Management Fellowship. Additionally, she has completed ASAM and SAMSHA training in addiction therapy. Dr. Pearson has used her expertise and knowledge to develop and operate two successful pain clinics in Colorado. Dr. Pearson has been an integral part of the growth and development of the University of South Florida, Advanced Pain Management Fellowship. She presently serves as the lead professor in the Pharmacology of Pain Management Course. She is an advisor/instructor for the annual cadaver course and serves as a clinical preceptor for pain fellows.