Skip to main content
2026 EDGE Main banner

Valerie J. Diaz, DNP, CRNA, PMHNP-BC, APRN, CNE, CHSE, FAANA, CAPT (Ret), USN

Clinical Associate Professor
Florida International University
Pembroke Pines, Florida, United States

A native of New York City, Valerie Diaz is an Associate Professor at Florida International University (FIU) and the Curriculum Coordinator for the Department of Nurse Anesthesiology at Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences in Miami, Florida. She has practiced Nurse Anesthesia for over 20 years and has been a member of AANA since 2001. Dr. Diaz earned the MSN and DNP degrees from FIU in 2003 and 2013, respectively. She is a Certified Nurse Educator, a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator, a seasoned academician with 13 years of experience, and an esteemed Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiologists. Her expertise includes curriculum creation and evaluation.

Dr. Diaz has served six years on various committees for the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists and is the Education Delegate for the Education Committee. She has presented her research at several AANA national meetings, and her scholarly work is published nationally and internationally. Dr. Diaz is a member of the AANA Foundation Simulation Research Interest Group where she is actively participating in grant-funded research on the benefits of deliberate practice in simulation education. Additionally, she serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Nurse Anesthesia Education.

Proudly retired from the United States Navy after 23 years, Captain Diaz has administered anesthesia on land and at sea. She enjoys traveling the globe in her leisure time.

Disclosure information not submitted.

Presentation(s):