MARK BRIAN LIGAD

2511 Huntscroft Lane #102 Raleigh, NC 27617

407.873.2465
Brian.Ligad@duke.edu
MBLigad@gmail.com

www.mbligad.wix.com/portfolio

Summary
Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist at Duke University, with expected graduation in May of 2015. Previously a
licensed Registered Nurse with comprehensive experience in the care of post-surgical critically ill patients with
experience in the Cardiothoracic Surgical ICU (CT-ICU) and the Cardiothoracic Surgical Stepdown Unit (CT-SDU) at Duke
University Hospital. Proficient in management of hemodynamic monitoring and support devices. Dependable,
personable, highly motivated, and efficient, with excellent attention to detail. Demonstrates teamwork and leadership
skills as a student and as a registered nurse.

Education
Duke University Durham, NC

Nurse Anesthesia Program Masters in Science of Nursing (MSN)
GPA 4.0
Class of 2015 Student Class Representative

Expected graduation May 2015

Competent in the anesthetic management of patients undergoing surgery including general surgery, gynecological,
orthopedic, neurospine, intracranial, cardiac, thoracic, ENT, in the adult, geriatric, and pediatric patient population and
management of the obstetric patient population. Competent in airway management, invasive line placement and
monitoring, neuraxial anesthetic techniques, and regional peripheral nerve blocks including brachial plexus (interscalene,
supraclavicular, axillary), lumbar plexus, femoral, saphenous, popliteal, cervical plexus, ankle, and intravenous regional.

Clinical Experiences:
Southeastern Regional Medical Center Lumberton, NC
Duke Regional Medical Center Durham, NC
Danville Regional Medical Center Danville, VA
Duke University Hospital Durham, NC
Duke University Electrophysiology Lab Durham, NC
University of North Carolina Hospital Chapel Hill, NC
University of North Carolina Hospital Pediatrics Chapel Hill, NC

Pediatric Anesthesia specialty rotation
Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital Jacksonville, NC
Regional Anesthesia specialty rotation
Womack Army Medical Center Fort Bragg, NC
Obstetric Anesthesia specialty rotation
New Hanover Regional Medical Center Wilmington, NC
Duke Raleigh Hospital Raleigh, NC
Scotland Memorial Hospital Laurinburg, NC
Regional Anesthesia specialty rotation
Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) Asheville, NC
Regional Anesthesia specialty rotation
Gaston Memorial Hospital Gastonia, NC

Cardiac & Thoracic Anesthesia specialty rotation
Carolina East Hospital New Bern, NC
Cardiac & Thoracic Anesthesia specialty rotation

The University of Central Florida Orlando, FL

Graduated 2008
Bachelors in Science of Nursing (BSN) with Honors
Minor in Health Services Administration
GPA 3.85
College of Nursing & Burnett Honors College
Honors in the Major Program
Honors Undergraduate Research Thesis & Defense: Environmental Stressors Affecting
Sleep in Critically Ill Patients

Work Experience
Duke University Hospital Durham, NC
Staff Nurse Cardiothoracic Surgical ICU (CT-ICU)






2009-2013

Experienced in the care of complex, critically ill patients post-cardiothoracic surgery including Coronary
Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG), midsternal and heartport valve repairs/replacements, thoracic
aortic aneurysm repairs (open, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), & hybrid procedures),
LVAD & RVAD implantation, open thoracotomy procedures and video assisted thoracic surgery
(VATS) procedures, open chest recovery, and adult heart and adult/pediatric lung transplantation.
Proficient, competent, and knowledgeable in:
Hemodynamic monitoring: Pulmonary artery catheter (PA-CCO), central venous pressure
monitoring (CVP), and arterial lines.
Vasoactive/Inotropic medication management, prolonged sedation, conscious sedation, and pain
management.
Post-surgical lines and drains: Management and assistance with insertion of pleural and
mediastinal chest tubes, thoracic epidurals, and central lines.
Assistance with respiratory management/mechanical ventilation: Endotracheal intubation,
extubation, and care, mechanical ventilation management, tracheostomy insertion and care.
Care of the decompensating patient: Cardiac and Respiratory arrests (ACLS), open chest code
(CALS), rapid sequence intubation and insertion of support devices.
Advanced experience with hemodynamic support and other ICU devices:
Intraaortic Balloon Pump Therapy (IABP)
Ventricular Assist Devices (LVAD/RVAD): Heartmate XVE, HM-2, Heartware, Ventrasys, Centrimag,
Thoratec TLC/DDC
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO): VA-ECMO and VV-ECMO
Temporary Pacemakers: Transcutaneous, transthoracic epicardial, and transvenous.
Continuous VV Hemodialysis CVVHD
Thoracic Lumbar Drain
LidCO Cardiac Output
Preceptor and Educator CT-ICU

Experienced and proficient in clinical training and classroom education of nursing students and newly hired
staff nurses in the CT-ICU.
Clinical Preceptor
CT-ICU Classroom Educator: Lumbar Drains, Hemodynamics Simulation Lab
LVAD Champion
CareDoc (Computer Documentation) SuperUser

Committee Member CT-ICU








Active and highly involved in multiple unit-based committees, with a desire to improve safety, work culture,
and efficacy in the work environment.
Co-Chair of CT-ICU Safety Committee
Clinical Case Analysis Committee member
Preceptor Development Committee member
Clinical Practice Committee (CPC) member

Staff Nurse Cardiothoracic Surgical Stepdown (SDU)

2008-2010

Experienced in the care and progression of post cardiothoracic surgical patients in the stepdown
setting. Competent in management of stepdown lines and drains including thoracic chest tubes,
limited central lines, and thoracic epidurals.
Additional experience in:
LVAD management
Discharge planning
Limited vasoactive/inotropic medication management

Preceptor Cardiothoracic Surgical Stepdown (SDU)





Proficient in clinical training of nursing students and newly hired staff nurses in the stepdown unit.
Clinical preceptor
LVAD champion
CareDoc SuperUser (Computer Documentation)
Committee Member Cardiothoracic Surgical Stepdown (SDU)

Orlando Regional Medical Center Orlando, FL

Advanced Clinical Nurse Tech Intermediate Critical Care Unit

CT-SDU Clinical Practice Committee

CT-SDU/ICU CPC Liasion

2007-2008

Pending

2008-Present

2008-Present

2010-Present

2009- 2011

2008-Present

2009-Present

2010-Present

Licensure & Certifications

North Carolina Board of Nursing CRNA




North Carolina Board of Nursing RN (NCBON-RN)



Florida Board of Nursing RN (FLBON- RN)




Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) Certification AACN


Progressive Care Registered Nurse (PCCN) Certification AACN


Basic Life Support Provider (BLS) American Heart Association


Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) American Heart Association

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) American Heart Association

Research & Publications

Residual Neuromuscular Blockade: A quality improvement project by Ligad, M.B., McGugan, L.,
Benjamin, K., Ward, D., Murphy, C.E., & Delrio, M. (2013) Duke University Hospital
Poster presentation at the 2013 NTI Conference presented by the American Nurses Association

Early results from the creation of a multi-disciplinary comprehensive unit safety program in an
academic cardiothoracic service line by Murphy, C.E., McGugan, L., Ligad, M.B., Foresi, S., Kitson, T.,
Sito, K., & Lindsay, M. (2013) Duke University Hospital
Poster presentation at the 2013 NTI Conference presented by the American Nurses Association

Environmental stressors affecting sleep in critically ill patients by Ligad, M.B. (2009)
The University of Central Florida
Undergraduate Research Thesis & Defense

Honors & Awards

Anna L. Hoyns Scholarship Recipient Duke University School of Nursing

2013 -2015

2013

2009

2008

Awarded to Duke University graduate students demonstrating academic excellence.

Duke Heart Center Directors Award Duke University Hospital

Awarded to one nurse & one advanced practice provider for demonstrating leadership,
dedication, & excellence within the Duke University Hospital Heart Center.

UCF Alumni Rising Star Award UCF Alumni Association

Awarded to one UCF alumni, per college, who demonstrates leadership, initiative, & growth
during their career development.

Founders Day Award College of Nursing Recipient UCF Board of Trustees

Awarded to one UCF undergraduate student, per college, who demonstrates academic excellence,
research initiative, community service, & leadership within their program of study.

References
Additional references available on request

Sharon Hawks, DNP, CRNA
Program Director
Nurse Anesthesia Program
Duke University School of Nursing
919-684-9347
sharon.hawks@duke.edu
919-613-5709
Christine Muckler, DNP, CRNA
Assistant Professor
Clinical Site Coordinator
Nurse Anesthesia Program
Duke University School of Nursing
919-684-9307
chris.muckler@duke.edu

Brett Morgan, DNP, CRNA
Assistant Program Director
Nurse Anesthesia Program
Duke University School of Nursing
919-613-5709
brett.morgan@duke.edu