Directors and Staff

Francis Gerbasi, PhD, CRNA, FAAN
Chief Executive Officer
fgerbasi@coacrna.org

Dr. Gerbasi has served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) for 20 years. He is responsible for overseeing the accreditation of all graduate level nurse anesthesia programs located throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. He is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. He completed his undergraduate and graduate education at Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. He has published numerous research studies, authored several chapters and a textbook for nurse anesthetists. In 2002 he received the John F. Garde Researcher of the Year Award by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) Foundation. In 2022, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) presented COA CEO Francis Gerbasi, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, with the Agatha Hodgins Award during its 2022 Annual Congress, August 12-16 in Chicago.  The Agatha Hodgins Award for Outstanding Accomplishment was established in 1975 to recognize individuals whose foremost dedication to excellence has furthered the art and science of nurse anesthesia. In 2023, Dr. Gerbasi was inducted as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. The Academy recognizes nurses that have made outstanding contributions to healthcare at national and international levels.

Chief Accreditation Officer

Jay Tumulak, DNP, MBA, CRNA, APRN, FAANA
Chief Accreditation Officer
jtumulak@coacrna.org

Dr. Jay Tumulak is a recognized leader in nurse anesthesia education and practice. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Marquette University in 2025, complementing his Doctor of Nursing Practice from Vanderbilt University (2012) and his master’s degree with completion of the Nurse Anesthesia program at DePaul University and Endeavor Health (2008). His nursing career began with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (1992) and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology (1987), both from the Philippines. 

Currently serving as Chief Accreditation Officer, Dr. Tumulak previously led the Nurse Anesthesia Educational Program at Marquette University, overseeing its development and growth since its inaugural cohort in 2018. In recognition of his contributions to the profession, he was named a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) in 2023. 

An active member of AANA and the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists since 2008, Dr. Tumulak continues to advance the profession through his leadership, expertise, and commitment to excellence in education and clinical practice. 

Accreditation Specialists