Teaching Information
Teaching Interests
Cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia; cardiac physiology and pathophysiology; perioperative hemodynamic monitoring and management; coagulation physiology, coagulation disorders; pharmacology of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications; heart failure; mechanical circulatory support devices; heart transplantation; endocrine physiology and corticosteroids; anesthesia and perfusion collaboration in cardiac surgery; ethical issues in advanced nursing practice; evidence-based nursing and anesthesia practice; simulation and problem-based learning; and nurse anesthesia education focused on translating complex physiology into clinical practice.
Research Information
Research Interests
Cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia; perioperative pain management strategies; patient satisfaction and patient-centered outcomes related to anesthesia care; simulation and educational interventions for anesthesia providers, including ultrasound-guided procedural education; perioperative monitoring and hemodynamic optimization; and quality improvement initiatives focused on patient safety, provider knowledge, and clinical outcomes.
Research Projects
Patient satisfaction related to anesthesia care; perioperative pain management strategies for esophagectomy patients; educational interventions for anesthesia providers; simulation and ultrasound-guided procedural education; perioperative monitoring and hemodynamic optimization; and quality improvement initiatives focused on patient safety and clinical outcomes.
Awards and Honors
External Appointments
Board Member and Co-Chair, Communications Committee, Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists, 2024–present
Professional Outreach and Engagement Committee Member, Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists, 2023–present
Section Editor, APEX Anesthesia Review, TrueLearn, LLC, 2024–present
Peer Reviewer, Journal of Nurse Anesthesia Education, 2024–present
Member, Cleveland Clinic CRNA Research Committee, 2023–present
Publications
Jenkins, J. E., & Contrera, M. A. (2025). Anesthetic Considerations for the Convergent Plus Procedure: A Hybrid Approach to the Treatment of Nonparoxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. AANA journal, 93(2), 143–151. https://doi.org/10.70278/AANAJ/.0000001009
Contrera, M. A., Applebee, J., Shockley, L. (2023). Anesthesia for cardiac surgery. In S. Elisha, J. S. Heiner, & J. J. Nagelhout (Eds.), Nurse Anesthesia, 7th Edition (pp. 516-573). Saunders.