DIVERSITY CRNA iN Action
Inform, empower, and mentor
Inspired by Diversity
The Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program is a non-profit organization 501(c)(3). We are committed to promoting and advancing diversity initiatives to mentor critical care nurses who want to successfully matriculate into graduate nurse anesthesia programs. Additionally, we guide and encourage CRNAs by providing ongoing professional development. We are an inclusive organization that actively mentors diverse registered nurses to increase the nurse anesthesia racial and ethnic representation of the 61,000 members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists by more than 10 percent. CRNA’s who actively participate in any of our Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program events will be issued AANA Class A or Class B continuing educational credits.
The mission of the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program (Diversity CRNA, DNAMP) is to inform, empower, and mentor underserved and diverse populations by providing the knowledge, resources, mentorship, and opportunities needed to prepare for and achieve a successful career in Nurse Anesthesia.
We, as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), fulfill this mission by providing annual information sessions and luncheon programs, anesthesia airway workshops, and sponsorships for minority nurse anesthesia students to attend the Annual AANA Conference. We also participate in area high school career days and conduct outreach to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) to introduce nursing students to opportunities in nurse anesthesia. Additionally, we provide an annual graduation celebratory dinner to recognize and celebrate minority students completing nurse anesthesia programs.
Our vision is to create inclusive, safe, and supportive spaces where nurses, nursing students, and nurse anesthesia students from underserved and diverse communities are informed, empowered, mentored, and equipped to succeed.
We envision a future where the nurse anesthesia profession reflects the diversity of the communities it serves, supported by a strong and sustainable pipeline of highly skilled, culturally responsive, and exceptional nurse anesthesia professionals.
Our goal is more than representation—we are building pathways, creating opportunities, and developing the next generation of nurse anesthesia leaders.
LEADERSHIP
DNAMP Founder & CEO
2024 Villanova University, The M. Louise Fitzpatrick Award for Transformative Leadership
2024 Recipient of the American Nurses Association Innovation Nurse-Led Team Award
2023 Chair, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Committee, American Academy of Nurses
2022 Recipient of the Edge Runner Award for the Immersion Model for Diversifying Nurse Anesthesia Programs
2019 Recipient of the AANA Agatha Hodgins Award for Outstanding Accomplishment
2018 Recipient of the National Black Nurses Association Trailblazer Award
Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FADLN, FAAN is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer for the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program and former Chief Nurse Anesthetist. For 21 years, this grassroots organization program has successfully mentored over 2,200 racially diverse critical care nurses into 102 out of 155 graduate nurse anesthesia programs.
Dr. Gould was the lead consultant for a $1 million-dollar HRSA Workforce Diversity Grant for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Nurse Anesthesia Program. She served as AANA Chair of the Diversity Task Force from 2015-2016.
In addition, Dr. Gould has secured over $450,000 in grants from the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists from 2016-2025. Also, a $50,000 Innovation Team Award grant from the American Nurses Association in 2024.
Board of Directors
