NAPA Anesthesia Names JoAnna Nicholson as Chief Legal Officer

SUNRISE, Fla., Sept. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA), the nation's leading single-specialty anesthesia management company, is pleased to announce the appointment of JoAnna Nicholson, JD, as SVP, Chief Legal Officer. In this role, Nicholson will oversee NAPA's legal and regulatory compliance functions, guiding strategic initiatives and ensuring continued excellence in legal governance and risk management.

Nicholson brings deep expertise in healthcare law, regulatory compliance, and legal operations, with a proven track record advising providers and industry stakeholders. She returns to NAPA following her most recent role as Chief Legal Officer at Spire Orthopedic Partners. Previously, she served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at NAPA, playing a key role in shaping the legal and compliance framework that supports the organization's national growth.

"JoAnna's return to NAPA reflects her deep alignment with our mission and vision," said Rafael Cartagena, MD, Chief Executive Officer at NAPA. "Her legal leadership, healthcare industry knowledge, and collaborative approach will be instrumental as we continue to evolve in a complex regulatory landscape."

Earlier in her career, Nicholson practiced healthcare law at Moses & Singer LLP and Nixon Peabody LLP, advising clients on transactions, regulatory compliance, HIPAA, and data privacy. She also brings an academic perspective to her work, serving as an adjunct professor at Hofstra University's Maurice A. Deane School of Law, where she teaches healthcare compliance and M&A.

"I'm energized to rejoin NAPA and help shape its future," said Nicholson. "There's a clear sense of momentum and purpose across the organization, and I look forward to supporting NAPA's continued growth and evolution, both at the bedside and across the operational functions that are critical to delivering high-quality anesthesia care."

Nicholson earned her Juris Doctor from Hofstra Law School and holds a Bachelor of Science from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

About North American Partners in Anesthesia

As a clinician-led organization, North American Partners in Anesthesia (NAPA) is redefining healthcare, delivering unsurpassed excellence to its partners and patients every day. NAPA has grown to become the nation's single-specialty leader in anesthesia. Our nearly 5,000 clinicians serve more than 2 million patients annually at nearly 400 healthcare facilities in 23 states. For more information, please visit NAPAanesthesia.com.

SOURCE NAPA Management Services Corporation