Our Providers
Gregory Short, CRNA
Greg Short is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist born in San Diego, California and raised in Ocala, Florida. After graduating from Forest High School, he joined the USMC where he served 8 years including Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
He then obtained an Associate degree in Nursing from Central Florida Community College followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Florida. He received his Master's degree in Nurse Anesthesia in 2002 from the University of South Carolina. After 9/11, he was commissioned in the United States Army Reserve and was activated for Operation Enduring Freedom. Greg has 23 years experience as a CRNA and is competent in all areas of anesthesia. Most recently serving as the Lead Trauma CRNA at Ocala Regional Medical Center.
Greg was married to his late wife Teresa for 26 years and has 2 adult children, Tristan and Sierra. Greg enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking and running.
Brett Howard, CRNA
Brett Howard is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and native of Ocala, FL. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2009 with a Bachelor's degree in Human Nutrition and a minor in Business. He then decided to pursue a career in anesthesia and attended Santa Fe Community College where he obtained an Associate's degree in nursing in 2011.
After working at Shands Hospital in the Trauma intensive care unit for two years, Brett attended Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia in Madison, TN. In 2015, Brett completed the program and earned his Master's of Science degree with an Anesthesia focus. He moved back to central Florida where he has provided anesthesia for the past six years. He is competent in all areas of anesthesia, including regional anesthesia.
Brett is married to his wife, Savannah, who is also a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. They have two sons, named John Douglas and Carter Wade.
Derek Pettiford, CRNA
Dereck Pettiford is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist who is originally from Tifton, GA, but calls Gainesville, FL home. He graduated from Buchholz High School in 1989 and then joined the United States Marine Corps where he served four years, most notably during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
After leaving the USMC, Dereck obtained his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida in 1998. He received his Master’s Degree in Nurse Anesthesia from the University of South Carolina College of Medicine in 2003. Dereck has 21 years of experience as a CRNA and is competent in all areas of anesthesia.
Dereck has been married to his wife, Leslie, for 23 years and they have 2 children, Donovan 19, and Olivia, 13. Dereck has a Second Degree Black Belt in Jujitsu, and enjoys weight lifting, fishing, scuba diving, and surfing.