Valley Faculty & Staff

Meet the Valley Anesthesia Faculty

Learn from experienced educators and clinicians who bring real-world anesthesia expertise into every Valley Anesthesia learning experience.

Dr. Todd L. Hicks, DNP, MNA, CRNA

Clinical Sciences Lecturer

Dr. Todd L. Hicks, DNP, MNA, CRNA, is known for making complex anesthesia concepts make sense, bringing decades of clinical experience and 18 years of education experience to his role as a Clinical Sciences Lecturer with Valley Anesthesia. He previously served as Assistant Professor and Associate Program Director at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he helped train future CRNAs and reinforce the importance of truly understanding pharmacology, not just memorizing it.

Dr. Hicks is also the founding director of the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, DNAP, program at the University of Mobile, where his inaugural graduating class achieved a 100 percent first time pass rate on the National Certification Examination, NCE. He is currently involved in the development of a new CRNA training program at the University of South Alabama.

Clinically, Dr. Hicks has experience across a wide range of settings, including trauma and obstetrics, as well as ambulatory surgery centers and independent office based practices. This broad scope gives him a practical, real world perspective that he brings into both the classroom and board review setting.

He is a frequent speaker at local, regional, and national meetings, known for breaking down complex anesthesia concepts into material that is both high yield and, occasionally, entertaining.

He earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Nurse Anesthesia from UAB, along with dual bachelor’s degrees in nursing and education from Auburn University. His professional interests include ultrasound guided regional anesthesia, obstetric anesthesia, opioid free techniques, and, unsurprisingly, pharmacology.

Outside of anesthesia, Dr. Hicks is a musician at heart and a full time “girl dad” to three daughters. When he is not teaching or in the OR, he can usually be found at a softball field or a dance or baton recital, often all in the same weekend. He lives in Alabama with his wife, Jill, their daughters, two goldendoodles, and one of the world’s oldest dachshunds, who collectively run the household.

Dr. Ulf Bronas, PhD, FSVM, FAHA

Basic Sciences Lecturer

Dr. Bronas has over 20 years of experience teaching advanced physiology and pathophysiology to CRNA students, APRN, DNP, and nursing PhD students. He also teaches medical school students and fellows.

Dr. Bronas is an internationally recognized expert and researcher in vascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. He is a sought-after speaker and frequently presents at international and national events. Dr. Bronas is Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Nursing with positions in Nursing and in Medicine. He is on the leadership committees at the Society for Vascular Medicine and the American Heart Association.

He has been involved in the publication of several clinical guidelines and clinical scientific statements. He maintains appointments at the University of Illinois Chicago, Columbia University, and Georgetown University. He has been faculty and visiting scholar at the University of Minnesota, Michigan State University and at Vanderbilt University.

Dr. Bronas earned his Doctorate at the University of Minnesota, and received post-Doctoral fellowship training at Stanford University, NIH, and the University of Minnesota. He teaches complex physiological concepts by breaking down components and integrating them with clinical implications making them easy to understand.

Dr. Bronas is a passionate teacher who engages his students throughout his lectures and encourages active participation. When Dr. Bronas is not teaching CRNA students at Valley or working in his lab, he can be found cycling, playing with his labrador, practicing the guitar, or enjoying the sunset on the roof while listening to the hustle and bustle of the vibrant city.

Dr. Michele Ardigo, DNP, CRNA

Vice President of Operations

Dr. Michele Ardigo joins Valley as Vice President of Operations with a focus on marketing, industry relations, student services, and operations.

Dr. Ardigo has practiced for 25 years as a certified registered nurse anesthetist and is a Valley Anesthesia alumnus. Her clinical experience has been a largely independent practice from a solo critical access hospital to Level 1 trauma facilities.

Dr. Ardigo has unique business experience as a co-founder of an urgent care facility in a rural resort community. She developed her business acumen to envision, design, and execute a quality healthcare delivery system.

Dr. Ardigo applied these business principles during her ten years as a nurse anesthesia faculty member and administrator. During her time in academia, she led many major quality improvement projects and developed new programs.

Dr. Ardigo is thrilled to join the Valley Anesthesia team. At Valley, she will have the unique privilege to indulge in her passion for continual creation and innovation.