NAPA | North American Partners in Anesthesia

 North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA) is the largest single-specialty, clinician-led anesthesia organization in the United States. With over 35 years of experience, NAPA serves more than 2 million patients annually across nearly 400 healthcare facilities in 23 states. The organization is committed to delivering exceptional, patient-centric anesthesia care through a collaborative community of experts.

 Website: https://napaanesthesia.com

Mission & Vision

• Mission: To deliver an exceptional experience for every patient and every client every day.
• Vision: To grow responsibly and serve as a catalyst for positive change by delivering unmatched, measurable results for customers and stakeholders, providing the highest quality care for patients, fostering a collaborative experience for clinicians, and being the workplace of choice for employees.

Core Values

• Integrity: Acting ethically and doing what is right for patients and stakeholders.
• Excellence: Commitment to continuous improvement, patient and employee safety, and exceeding quality benchmarks.
• Respect: Encouraging team-based collaboration and valuing contributions from all employees and customers.
• Inspired Leadership: Embracing innovation and evidence-based decision-making to lead in the markets served.

History

 Founded in 1986 by a group of physicians in Long Island, New York, NAPA began as a single-specialty anesthesia provider focused on safe, efficient, and customer-oriented care. Through strategic and thoughtful expansion, it has grown into a national leader in anesthesia services, uniting thousands of clinicians who care for millions of patients annually.

Leadership

• Rafael Cartagena, MD – Chief Executive Officer
• Peter Doerner – EVP & Chief Development Officer
• Kristine Meade – EVP & Chief Human Resources Officer
• Beth Green – EVP & General Counsel
• Leo Penzi, MD – EVP & Chief Medical Officer
• Chris Brencsons – EVP & Chief Administrative Officer
• Steve Kraus – Chief Financial Officer
• Ali Ekbatani, DO, MBA – EVP & American Group President
• Justin Crain – EVP & National Group President
• Peter Walker, MD – Founder Emeritus

Culture

 NAPA emphasizes a workplace culture grounded in leadership, transparency, and employee well-being.

• Leadership: Empowering leaders to inspire and support high-performing teams.
• Patient Safety: A foundational priority supported by continuous training and tools.
• Transparency: Open communication through town halls and feedback channels.
• Employee Experience: Programs such as "Care for the Caregiver" and Employee Assistance Fund support work-life balance and professional growth.

Awards & Recognition

• Ranked #1 in Anesthesia Management Services for seven consecutive years
• 2023 ASHRM Patient Safety Award recipient for the Anesthesia Risk Alerts Program
• HITRUST CSF Certified for rigorous data protection and information security standards