1

L A U R A E L L E N P R A DO, MS N, NP - B C
180 ELVAN AVE, ATLANTA, GA 30317
404-798-9558
lauraellensmith@hotmail.com
EDUCATION

1996-1999 Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Master of Science in Nursing, with subspecialty in Adult Critical Care
Independent study of management of headache pain in the subarachnoid hemorrhage
patient

1993-1995 Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University
Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing, Magna Cum Laude

1987-1991 Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH
Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology

EXPERIENCE


January 2004-present
Atlanta Brain and Spine Care, Atlanta, GA
Nurse Practitioner
Works with Regis Haid, MD, neurosurgeon, in private practice
Assists in the operating room as RNFA
Assists with managing the hospital course of post-operative neurosurgical spine patients
Research coordinator of two spinal device studies
Participates and had independent clinics with documenting medical history and performing
physical exam of complex neurosurgical spinal patients, pre-operative counseling and post-
operative management
On call responsibilities as first line contact for nurses in hospital and patients during after-
hours and weekends

January 2002 November 2003
EmoryHealthCare, Atlanta, GA
Nurse Practitioner

2
Worked with Regis Haid, MD, neurosurgeon with subspecialty in complex spine at an
academic institution
Participated and managed the flow of clinic during Dr. Haids patients visits
Provided care to complex spine patients
Assisted in the OR with Dr. Haid

July 1997- 2005
Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Staff RN III (full time till 2000 and then prn)
Responsible for nursing care of critically ill neurological and neurosurgical patients in an
academic setting
Charge nurse
Responsible for in-depth neurological assessment including ICP/CPP analysis and
intervention per protocol, and managing ventriculostomies and Camino monitors
Responsible for rhythm strip analysis, titration of vasoactive drips, central venous pressure
monitoring and use of PA catheters
Nursing care of ventilator dependant patients
Management of titrating sedation, medication induced coma and paralytics
Responsible for PACU nursing care for direct admit patient to unit from the operating room

August 2000 -December 2001
North Georgia Neurosurgical, Lawrenceville, GA
Nurse Practitioner
Initiated NP role in general neurosurgical practice
Independent hospital rounds and management of inpatients
Responsible for pre-op and post-op appointments, established patients and follow-ups visits
On call as needed for practice

June 1995-July 1997
Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Staff RN II
Responsible for nursing care for a 24 patient bed neuro floor with acutely ill neurological
and neurosurgical patients
Functioned as Charge Nurse


June 1994-June 1995
Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Nurse Extern

3
Provided patient care under direction of RN



1994-1995
Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Research Assistant
Assisted faculty member research, including data collections, data entry and interviewing


AWARDS/CERTIFICATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS/VOLUNTEER

Licensed in Georgia as an Adult NP and RN
Board Certified Adult Nurse Practitioner
Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing, 1995
Psi Chi, National Honor Society of Psychology, 1990
ACLS
American College of Nurse Practitioners member
CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) certification
RNFA (Registered Nurse First Assist) course
Member and Secretary of Emory Alumni Nurses Association and Student to Alumni
committee
Participated in medical mission with Christian Medical Mission to the Darien province of
Panama caring for indigenous people

LECTURES AND PUBLICATIONS
The Use of Artificial Discs with Spine Surgery for Orthopedic Annual Workshop at
Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, GA 10/27/2006
Spinal Cord A&P and Pathophysiology: Spinal Cord Injuries, Cord Syndromes, Back and
Neck Disorders: Diagnosis and Treatment, Peripheral Neuropathies for Neuroscience
Review Coarse at Mercer University 4/2/2006

4
Stopping the Bleed:SAH Brainstorm 2005, Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, GA
Occipital-Cervical Fusion Brainstorm 2011 Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, GA 7/22/2011
Presented at Emory Nursing School lecture regarding Myasthenia Gravis and other
neurological disorders to MSN student
David Benglis, MD, Laura Prado, NP and Regis Haid, MD Lunch and Learn Presentation at
Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Anterior Column Realignment Techniques
to Restore Global Alignment
David Benglis, MD, Michael Obrien, MD, Rich Hostin, MD Laura Prado, NP, Regis Haid,
MD Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion Techniques for Restoration of Spinal Alignment
chapter for Global Spinal Alignment and Balance. Pending publication











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