Dr. Paul Austin, professor of nurse anesthesia, was recently elected president of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Education Programs (COA). The COA is made up of interested parties from anesthesia educators, practitioners, students, healthcare administrators and the public. This board is responsible for maintaining accreditation standards for the 125+ nurse anesthesia programs across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Dr. Austin joined the faculty of Texas Wesleyan in 2008 following a long career as a nurse anesthetist and educator in the United States Air Force. His primary teaching responsibilities include the evidence-based courses and oversight of the doctoral scholarly projects in the Master’s to DNAP program. His many awards include John F. Garde Researcher of the Year, Outstanding Nurse Faculty Member (UTHSC San Antonio), the Mary Hanna Memorial Journalism Award and the Alumni Legacy Award.

Dr. Austin maintains a clinical practice in Maryland where he lives with his wife. In his free time, he enjoys family and travel.