Craig Budinich PhD, MSN, CRNA

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, Neuroscience, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, July 2012

Master of Science in Nursing (Nurse Anesthesia), U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing – University of Texas Houston Health Science Center, December 1999

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Mobile, July 1994

Biography

Lieutenant Colonel Craig S. Budinich is the Commandant and Assistant Dean for Student Affairs for the Daniel K. Inouye Graduate School of Nursing. Lieutenant Colonel Budinich earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Mobile and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1994.

During his first assignment to Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center (DDEAMC), Fort Gordon, GA, Lieutenant Colonel Budinich served as a Staff Nurse in the Cardiac Care Unit. He attended the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (USAGPAN) from 1997-1999 and graduated as the Distinguished Honor Graduate with a Master of Science Degree in Anesthesia Nursing. His first assignment as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist was as the Chief Nurse and Nurse Anesthetist of the 274th Forward Surgical Team (ABN), Fort Bragg, NC. His tenure with the 274th spanned from 2000-2003 and included deployments to Kuwait and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Lieutenant Colonel Budinich was subsequently recruited to join Joint Special Operations Command and participated in multiple deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. From 2003-2004, he also served as a Senior Clinical Instructor in the USAGPAN clinical site at DDEAMC. During a break in service from 2004-2007, Lieutenant Colonel Budinich served as the Assistant Program Director of the Mercer University Anesthesia Nursing Program in Macon, GA.

Lieutenant Colonel Budinich reentered Active Duty in 2007 and earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Neuroscience) from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 2012. He was then assigned as the Assistant Program Director of USAGPAN at Fort Sam Houston, TX from 2012-2015. From 2015-2017, he served as the USAGPAN Clinical Site Director and Chief Nurse Anesthetist at DDEAMC. He served as the Chief Nurse Anesthetist at Landstuhl Army Medical Center from 2017-2019.

Lieutenant Colonel Budinich’s military education includes the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Officer Basic Course, AMEDD Advanced Course, and Intermediate Level Education (ILE). He is currently enrolled in the Army War College.

Among his awards, decorations, and badges are the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 (OLC), Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 3 (OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal (1 Star), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2 Stars), Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Stars), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Ribbon. Lieutenant Colonel Budinich has earned the Combat Medic and Basic Parachutist Badges. He is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit (O2M3) and has earned the 9A Proficiency Designator.