Faculty
John Underwood
DNAP, MSN, APRN-CRNA
Program Director
John has been a Registered Nurse for over 25 years. He received his Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) from Kent State University in 1994. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from The Pennsylvania State University, a Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Youngstown State University while completing the Nurse Anesthetist Program at St Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists, and earned his Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) from La Roche University. Dr Underwood’s doctoral research demonstrated a significant reduction in the use of fentanyl in the obese patient undergoing MAC procedures when ketamine was administered.
As a Registered Nurse John worked the majority of his career in the CVICU and as a Mobile Intensive Care RN where he performed ground transport for the local Level I Trauma Center.
His nursing experiences also included ICU, CCU, Emergency, and with Emergency Medical Services as a Prehospital Registered Nurse (PHRN). He is currently a practicing CRNA with Bel Park Anesthesia Associates, Inc.
He is also a veteran, having served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. John joined the Marines in 1984 and served in various locations throughout the United States as well as in Okinawa and Korea. He was Honorably Discharged in 1988.
Douglas Shaffer
DNAP, ARPN-CRNA
Assistant Program Director
Douglas is the program’s Assistant Program Director. He has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University and a Master of Science in Nursing from Youngstown State University. He completed the Nurse Anesthetist Program at St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists and earned his Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) from La Roche University. His research demonstrated that regional anesthesia decreased the amount of narcotics, length of stay, and overall costs for patients as an adjunct prior to undergoing general anesthesia.
Douglas has nearly 25 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, working in critical care and emergency as a transport and flight nurse, and as a practicing CRNA. In addition to his current role as Chief Clinical Coordinator, he also holds a part-time faculty position at Youngstown State University. He is a Major in the Air Force Reserves and has been the Anesthesia provider for the 910th Medical Squadron – Youngstown Air Reserve Station since 2013. Douglas was deployed to New York City for support during the pandemic.
He is married with three children and enjoys being an outdoorsman and active farmer.
Steven L. Sheakoski
MD
Anesthesiologist, Medical Director
Dr. Steven Sheakoski is a highly respected anesthesiologist with over 32 years of experience in the field. He received his medical degree from the University of Palermo, Italy in 1984 and completed his residency at the Western Reserve Care System, Youngstown, Ohio in 1990. Dr. Sheakoski is board-certified in anesthesiology and has a special interest in regional anesthesia and acute pain management.
He currently serves as the School Medical Director and the President of Bel Park Anesthesia Associates, Inc.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Sheakoski is committed to educating the next generation of nurse anesthetists. He serves as a faculty member at the St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists since 1990, where he teaches clinical anesthesia along with Chemistry and Physics for Nurse Anesthetists. Dr. Sheakoski is known for his engaging teaching style and his ability to simplify complex concepts.
Outside of work, Dr. Sheakoski enjoys spending time with his family and staying active. He is an avid skier and enjoys international travel. He takes every opportunity to engage in conversational Italian.