Professional Development Specialist
Retired
Largo, Florida, United States
Micheal Wallingford is an accomplished nursing professional with over two decades of experience spanning clinical care, surgical services, education, and military service. Recently retiring from Tampa General Hospital as a Professional Development Specialist, Micheal led educational initiatives including course administration and instruction for AORN's Periop 101, guiding many cohorts of new perioperative nurses. He also managed the AORN CineMed video platform for his facility, enhancing access to high-quality surgical education content.
Micheal's clinical foundation is equally robust. He served in a variety of roles at Tampa General Hospital, including Operating Room Manager and Service Line Clinician, where he led teams in total joint replacement, sports medicine, and orthopedic spine procedures. Earlier in his career, he worked as an Anesthesia Technician and OR Transporter at Mease Countryside Hospital, gaining hands-on surgical services support experience. Micheal also proudly served in the United States Air Force, where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant, working in roles such as firefighter, EMT, and Inflight Medical Technician across multiple international and domestic bases and operational theaters.
Micheal holds a Master of Science in Nursing Education and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Governors University, along with an Associate of Science in Nursing from St. Petersburg College. He is a Registered Nurse in the state of Florida and maintains certifications as a Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) and a long-standing member of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). His career is defined by a commitment to lifelong learning, clinical excellence, and the mentorship of the next generation of perioperative nursing professionals.
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
1048 - A Foundation for the Future: Establishing AORN’s Periop 101 Training in Greece
Saturday, April 11, 2026
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM CST