Nelson J. Aquino, DNP, MS, APRN, CRNA, FAANA
Nelson Aquino, DNP, CRNA, is a Senior Associate Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and Clinical Coordinator for the Council of Accreditation (COA) accredited Pediatric Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesia Fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital’s Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine.
Nelson received his undergraduate Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from Seton Hall University. He earned his MS and Nurse Anesthesia Degree from Northeastern University. Dr Aquino is a clinical instructor for Northeastern University’s Nurse Anesthesia Program and mentor for DNP candidates. Dr. Aquino has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovative research, and advocacy in transforming perioperative care for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals nationally and internationally. His pioneering work, particularly in establishing the specialty anesthesiology team, known as the Gender Affirming Surgical Perioperative Program (GASPP). Dr. Aquino is an academic researcher, published author, and speaker caring for gender-diverse adults and youth.
Dr. Aquino has significantly advanced anesthesiology practice by developing and implementing the first gender-affirming Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway for chest masculinizing surgery. This protocol reduced hospital stays and observed a 45% decrease in median surgical drainage output, leading to fewer patients needing to return to the operating room within 24 hours for hematoma evacuation.
As a Co-Principal Investigator, Nelson created a multicenter database known as PARTAY (Perioperative Anesthesiology Registry for Transgender Adults and Youth), which includes two pediatric and five adult academic hospitals. This database collects and benchmarks national data, informing clinical practice, advocacy, and meaningful solutions to address critical gaps in care for transgender patients. Through multidisciplinary collaboration, Nelson is enhancing the relevance of gender-affirming care, especially in today’s challenging political climate.
In 2010, Nelson was the first Seton Hall University’s College of Nursing Humanitarian Award recipient for his work in underserved countries. For future awardees, this accolade is named the Nelson Aquino Humanitarian Award. In his free time, Dr. Aquino served as an elected official on his Town’s Board of Health and is a professional actor.
Peer-Reviewed Articles, Scholarship, and Grants
1. Aquino NJ, Goobie SM, Staffa SJ, Eastburn E, Ganor O, Jones CT. Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Pathway for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals Undergoing Chest Reconstruction Surgery: An Observational Cohort Study. J Clin Med. 2023;12(22):7083. Published 2023 Nov 14. doi:10.3390/jcm12227083
2. van Rooyen, C., Aquino, N.J., Tollinche, L.E. et al. Perioperative Considerations for Gender-Affirming Surgery. Curr Anesthesiol Rep (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-023-00553-5
3. Aquino, Nelson J., “Implementation and Perioperative Outcomes of a Gender-Affirming Chest Reconstruction Surgery Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Pathway in Gender-Diverse Youth: A Quality Improvement Project” (2023). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 3077.
4. Aquino N, Staffa S, Jones C. Association Between Use of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol and Length of Stay and Adverse Outcomes in Gender-Affirming Chest Reconstruction Surgery. Anesthesia & Analgesia 136(5S):p 713, May 2023 (abstract)
5. Aquino N, Staffa S, Goobie S, Jones C. Association Between Intravenous Tranexamic Acid Administration, Perioperative Blood Loss and Adverse Outcomes in Gender-Affirming Chest Reconstruction Surgery. Anesthesia & Analgesia 136(5S):p 726, May 2023 (abstract)
6. Aquino, N.J.; Boskey, E.R.; Staffa, S.J.; Ganor, O.; Crest, A.W.; Gemmill, K.V.; Cravero, J.P.;Vlassakova, B. A Single Center Case Series of Gender-Affirming Surgeries and the Evolution of a Specialty Anesthesia Team. J. Clin. Med. 2022, 11, 1943. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11071943
7. Discepolo K, Aquino N. Considerations for Transgender Patients Requiring Dental Rehabilitation. JDent Child (Chic). 2022 Jan 15;89(1):46-51. PMID: 35337400.
8. Aquino, Nelson J. MS, CRNA; Ganor, Oren MD; Chrisos, Haley A. PA-C; Oles, Norah BS; Boskey, Elizabeth R. PhD, MPH, LICSW Perioperative Issues With Gender-Diverse Youth, Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing: 1/3 2021 – Volume 10 – Issue 1 – p 23-31 https://doi:10.1097/JPS.0000000000000282
9. Oles, Norah BS; Ganor, Oren MD; Aquino, Nelson J. MS, CRNA; Boskey, Elizabeth R. PhD, MPH,LICSW. Surgical Affirmation for Gender-Diverse Youth. Journal of Pediatric Surgical Nursing: 1/3/2021 – Volume 10 – Issue 1 – p 32-39 doi: 10.1097/JPS.0000000000000279
10. Aquino, N. J., Reece-Nguyen, T. L., Sanchez, K. J., Roque, R. A., & Tollinche, L. E. (2025).Perioperative Considerations for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Patients. Anesthesiology clinics,43(1), 99–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anclin.2024.07.004
Funding: Boston Children’s Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTTR) Meeting Grant, Awarded $15,000.