Todd Hicks, DNP, CRNA
Assistant Professor Director for DNP Nurse Anesthesia Pathway
Education
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2015
- Master of Nurse Anesthesia (MNA), University of Alabama at Birmingham,
2008 - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Auburn University, 2004
- Bachelor of Science in Education (BS), Auburn University, 1999
Teaching Interests
- Nurse anesthesia curriculum development
- Regional anesthesia techniques and applications
- Advanced pharmacology and pharmacogenomics
- Anesthesia for obstetrics and surgical specialties
- Simulation-based learning and clinical decision-making
Research Interests
- Strategies for enhancing certification examination success
- Pharmacogenetics and individualized anesthesia care
- Regional anesthesia and multimodal analgesia
- Simulation-based education and competency assessment
- Strategies for enhancing certification examination success
- Anesthesia safety and alarm fatigue reduction
Clinical Interests
- Full-scope anesthesia practice for all ages and surgical specialties
- Regional anesthesia including peripheral nerve blocks and neuraxial techniques
- Office-based anesthesia and outpatient surgical care
- Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols
- Pain management and opioid-sparing techniques
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), 2006–Present
- Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists (ALANA), Board Member & Committee Chair (2013–2015)
Honors & Awards
- Employee of the Month, University of Mobile, 2024
- Instructor of the Year Nominee, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, 2017
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Anesthesia Grant Recipient, 2017–2023
- Innovation in Simulation Award, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2016
- Teacher of the Year, Eufaula High School, 2001
Publications (Selected)
- Aroke, E., Wilbanks, B., Hicks, T., Thurston, K., & McMullan, S. (2021). Mentoring Team Projects for the Doctor of Nursing Practice: Considerations for Nurse Anesthesia Faculty. AANA Journal, 89(5), 435–442.
- Aroke, E., & Hicks, T. (2019). Pharmacogenetics of Postoperative Nausea. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing.
- Hicks, T. (2017–2018). Program Updates. ALANA News Bulletin (multiple issues).
- Shah, S., & Hicks, T. (2016). Sugammadex: A Novel Agent. ALANA News Bulletin.
Selected Presentations
- National Certification Examination (NCE) Board Review: Advanced Pharmacology & Pathophysiology — Valley Anesthesia National Review Courses (2017–Present; ~16 courses annually nationwide)
- Board Review Lecture Series: Regional Anesthesia, Cardiovascular Physiology, and Obstetric Anesthesia — Valley Anesthesia, 2017–Present
- AOK for Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) — Arkansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Annual Meeting, 2019; ALANA Spring Meeting, 2018; UAB Nurse Anesthesia Update, 2018
- Pharmacological Strategies for the Management of Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy and Other Selected Cardiac Valve Disorders — UAB Nurse Anesthesia Update, 2020
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS): Clinical Pharmacology and Application — Arkansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, 2019; UAB Nurse Anesthesia Update, 2019
- Opioid-Free Anesthesia: Practical Strategies for Implementation — ALANA Spring Meeting, 2018
- Regional Anesthesia with Ultrasound Guidance: Best Practices — Premier Anesthesia Clinical Updates Series, 2017–2018
- The Effects of Safe Manipulation of Bedside Monitor Alarms on Alarm Fatigue — UAB DNP Intensive, 2015