Dr. Scott Shaffer serves as the Director of Clinical Education for the Graduate Programs of Nurse Anesthesia at Texas Wesleyan University. A two-time graduate of Texas Wesleyan, he earned his Master’s Degree in Nurse Anesthesia in 1992 and later completed his Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) in 2011.

Dr. Shaffer is well known among students and colleagues for integrating mindfulness practices and animal-assisted therapy into education. His two Great Danes, Shiloh and Bear, serve as Test therapy dogs, helping students manage stress and maintain well-being throughout their training.

A retired skydiver with over 3,000 jumps, Dr. Shaffer has owned and operated CRNA-only anesthesia groups in both Texas and Colorado. He is a past president of the Colorado Association of Nurse Anesthetists and has served as Chair of the AANA CRNA-PAC Committee.

He has published multiple articles on a range of anesthesia topics and currently contributes as an item writer for the National Certifying Examination (NCE).

Courses Taught:

• Evidence-Based Practice I, II, III
• Doctoral Scholarly Work I, II, III
• Personal Finance and the Business of Anesthesia
• Clinical Practicums A–E
• Principles of Anesthesia

Favorite Quote:

“I am, I can, I will, I do.” – Christine D’Ercole, Peloton Trainer