Orlando, Florida, Chief Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Michael Lombardo, recently spoke with us about working with TeamHealth and the community he lives in and serves.
Tell me a little bit about the facility where you work.
Lombardo: Orlando Regional Medical Center is Central Florida’s only level-one trauma center located in downtown Orlando.
What do you enjoy most about your position as a CRNA at TeamHealth?
Lombardo: The comradely of our close-knit team of CRNAs and Anesthesiologists make coming to work an enjoyable experience every day. It is our responsibility to care for the sickest patients in central Florida, and that challenge creates strong bonds between providers at every level.
Tell us about the community you serve. What do you love most about it?
Lombardo: I predominantly perform cardiac anesthesia. This includes patients requiring revascularization for coronary artery disease, heart valve replacements; catheter-based structural heart procedures and a variety of endovascular procedures. This patient population comes to us with potentially life-threatening pathologies and requires the care we provide to get back on their feet and continue living life to its fullest. The effect we have on these patients’ lives is profound and I’m honored to be a part of the team that provides this care.
Tell us about your training, educational background and professional interests.
Lombardo: I have a Bachelor in Business from the University of Florida, A Bachelor in Nursing from the University of Central Florida and a Master in Anesthesia from Barry University. I am a captain in the U.S. Army and provide anesthesia for the military when I am on deployment. My professional interests include new trends in structural heart surgery, and trauma care in out-of-hospital and battlefield settings.
Tell us about your team at Orlando Regional Medical Center. What’s the team culture or dynamic?
Lombardo: Being a level one-trauma center means that there is no such thing as a one-man show. The acuity of our patient population requires an “all hands on deck” approach, requiring us to work together as a team, day-in, and day-out, to provide the care these patients require. This has created a dynamic of strong and supportive interpersonal and professional relationships within our team. Each one of us takes ownership and pride in our role on the team and supports one other in giving all we can toward a common goal.
What kinds of opportunities can a CRNA on your team expect at Orlando Regional Medical Center and TeamHealth?
Lombardo: Experience in any adult specialty that you may have an interest in, including general surgery, trauma and burn surgery, vascular, thoracic, cardiac, advanced plastics, advanced neurosurgery, and much more. Working at Orlando Regional Medical Center provided me the opportunity to become a capable and well-rounded anesthesia provider, and the ability to handle any environment or situation with confidence. I believe it would do the same for any CRNA.
When you aren’t practicing at Orlando Regional Medical Center what’s your favorite place or activity in Orlando?
Lombardo: Central Florida is the land of lakes. When not at the hospital I spend a lot of time wakeboarding, wake surfing or relaxing on one of our numerous chains of lakes.
TeamHealth has open CRNA opportunities throughout the state of Florida! Join a team that supports you and recognizes your impact in providing excellent patient care.