Michael Mackinnon
DNP, FNP, CRNA
Dr. Michael MacKinnon, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, is a nationally recognized nurse anesthesiologist, educator, and leader with more than 16 years of advanced clinical practice and over a decade of graduate nursing education experience. In addition to teaching for the NMSU Nurse Anesthesiology DNP program, he serves as Associate Professor and Assistant Director at the National University CRNA Program. He has taught in multiple nurse anesthesia programs across the country.
Dr. MacKinnon earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Alabama and his Master of Science in Nursing in Nurse Anesthesia from Thomas Jefferson University. In addition to his academic work, he owns and operates a private anesthesia practice, bringing real-world clinical expertise directly into the classroom. His clinical strengths include preoperative assessment, individualized anesthesia care planning, intraoperative management, acute and chronic pain management, and postoperative care across diverse patient populations.
A Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FAANA), Dr. MacKinnon has served on the AANA Board of Directors and multiple national task forces. He is an active scholar and journal reviewer, with numerous publications in anesthesia and perioperative practice journals. Known for his leadership, mentorship of DNP students, and commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. MacKinnon is dedicated to advancing nurse anesthesia education and preparing the next generation of nurse anesthesiology leaders.
Education
MSN, University of
BSN, University
Awards & Honors
- AANA Board of Directors (2024-2025)
- AANA Ira P. Gunn Award for Outstanding Professional Advocacy (2023)
- Arizona CRNA of the Year (2021)
Clinical Focus
- Comprehensive Nurse Anesthesiology Practice
- Acute and Multimodal Pain Management
- Difficult Airway & Regional Anesthesia Techniques
- Rural & Independent Anesthesia Practice / Health Policy
Research Interests
- Perioperative Pain Management & Multimodal Analgesia
- CRNA Scope of Practice, Workforce, and Rural Access to Care
- Anesthesia Practice Economics & Reimbursement Models
- Nurse Anesthesia Education & Professional Leadership
Selected Publications
- Outpatient Surgery Magazine “Services Without the Subsidy: Here’s How” 2024
- Beckers ASC Review ”5 key notes on CRNAs and anesthesia care” 8/2024
- Beckers ASC Review “What to know about CMS' rural-pass through program, according to a CRNA leader” 8/2024
- OutPatient Surgery Magazine “Effective Multimodal Pain Protocols” 2024
- Kaur, H. MacKinnon M. “Anesthetic Management of a Patient with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome,” ISJNA 20.3 (2021)
- Methods to Reduce the Risk of Exposure to Airborne Pathogen in the Operating Room, AANA Journal. 2/2021
- Population Density and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Scope of Practice in Arizona & Job Satisfaction, AANA Journal. 8/2021
- Beckers ASC Review “Five reasons that anesthesiologist assistants limit anesthesia flexibility and profitability” 2017
- Permissive hypotension: a change in thinking Air Med J. 2005 Mar-Apr
- Brugada Syndrome: Silent Assassin Air Med J. 2006 May-Jun
- Case Presentation Articles Air Med J. 2006-Presented every 3rd Issue
- Flight Nurse Flip book (created and published)
