The Vital Role of Anesthesia Providers in High-Risk OB Care

How well do you know the anesthesia providers’ critical role in caring for OB patients? This conversation delves into the importance of open communication and collaboration through teamwork. Our guests discuss how to best prepare for emergencies, centering the birthing person’s emotional needs, environment cues, and assessment of blood volume and hydration status.

Meet our guests:

Shafonya Turner, MD

Dr. Shafonya Turner is a board-certified anesthesiologist with over 20 years of experience in medicine. A proud graduate of Hampton University, her commitment is to uplift and advance the Black community. After earning her medical degree and completing her training at UNC Chapel Hill, she joined the faculty at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Through her work providing care and engaging with the community, she recognized the urgent need for accessible health information. This passion led to the founding of Caring 4 Us Corp to empower patients and families with knowledge and tools to actively participate in their healthcare journeys.

Norman Roberts, CRNA, MSN

Norman Roberts graduated from Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Allied Health Professions in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. Immediately after graduating, he went on to provide care in Neonatal and Pediatric ICU’s across the country as a travel nurse, until deciding in 2011 to enter University of Miami’s Nurse Anesthesia program in Coral Gables, FL. He graduated with a Master’s Degree in Nurse Anesthesia in December 2013 and has been practicing in the field ever since with a recent primary focus on Labor and Delivery anesthesia. He presented on the fundamentals of neuraxial anesthesia in labor and delivery at the 2024 AWHONN Section Conference in Maryland.