UToledo’s Nurse Anesthesia Doctoral Program Receives Full Accreditation, Now Accepting Applications

UToledo's Nurse Anesthesia Doctoral Program Receives Full Accreditation, Now Accepting Applications

Applications are now open for the summer 2027 cohort of The University of Toledo's Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia Program, with applications being accepted through Wednesday, Sept. 30. The newly accredited program continues the nurse anesthesia education previously offered at Lourdes University, now under UToledo's College of Health and Human Services.

When Lourdes University announced it was closing earlier this year, the closure threatened to eliminate the only nurse anesthesia doctoral program in Northwest Ohio.

UToledo moved quickly to prevent that from happening.

The University of Toledo College of Health and Human Services has received full accreditation to offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia, preserving a program that regional leaders did not want to lose. Dr. Angella Ruley, who ran the program at Lourdes, has joined UToledo's College of Health and Human Services as the program director to continue leading the program alongside assistant director Dr. Sheila Williamson.

The program's first cohort of 12 students began their summer semester at Lourdes before transitioning to UToledo for fall, a continuity of experience that Ruley said was central to the entire effort.

"It was a successful program with a very high pass rate and student success," she said. "And we are excited to now bring it to UToledo, another institution with excellent resources for students and the program."

Ruley said those resources will play a significant factor in the program's future. UToledo's affiliation with a full academic health system, including an anesthesia residency program and the Lloyd A. Jacobs Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center, will offer the program capabilities that weren't previously available.

"Our simulation lab is excellent," she said. "This was one of the best outcomes for the program. I just think this is an excellent move for the students from Lourdes and for the community."

For Dr. Kelly Phillips, chief nurse administrator in the College of Health and Human Services, the addition fills a gap the college had long recognized.

"We couldn't be happier. It fits right into our DNP program as a track," Phillips said. "It adds to the portfolio of what we can offer students."

"There was great support from the medical center and everybody that was involved in helping to secure affiliation agreements for the students coming on board," said Dr. Kathleen Mitchell, associate dean of student affairs and graduate nursing advisor. "That just shows you that the community really rallied around this and saw the need to not lose this program for Northwest Ohio."

The need for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) extends far beyond Northwest Ohio. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 35% job growth in advanced practice nursing roles with 134,000 new positions added nationally. Ohio's evolving environment for CRNAs further expands opportunities for these advanced practice nurses to meet anesthesia workforce needs across a variety of healthcare settings and models of care.

"There's a nursing shortage period, and a nurse anesthesia shortage specifically," Ruley said. "This is going to tremendously help the community."

Applications for the summer 2027 cohort are now open through Wednesday, Sept. 30. The 36-month program prepares graduates to sit for the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists exam and includes seven clinical rotations. Prospective students can learn more about admission requirements and apply online.