As per Edwin Aroke, PhD, CRNA, FADLN, FAANA, FAAN, Associate Professor (Tenured), Director of PhD Program, CRNA at University of Alabama at Birmingham...
23 hours ago...
The devastating wildfires in California have greatly impacted our colleagues. As a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) Foundation Board of Trustees, we want to express our solidarity and support.
The Resident/Student Emergency Education Scholarship (REES) fund provides vital assistance during unforeseen disasters. To help our colleagues in California recover, please consider making a donation to the REES fund.
Text SRNA to 41444 to easily contribute.
Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a difference.
In Dean of Nursing & Nurse Anesthesia News…Congratulations to Dr. Jorge Valdes, PhDc, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN for being selected as the Dean of Nursing at Florida International University!
In the southern states, Florida International University Nurse Anesthesia Program has the most diverse CRNA cohorts & full-time faculty of color.
And, FIU believes in admission equity and does not require the GRE for consideration into the nurse anesthesia program.
Bravo to the leadership of the new Dean of Nursing at Florida International University College of Nursing!
In Dean of Nursing & Nurse Anesthesia News…Congratulations to Dr. Jorge Valdes, PhDc, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN for being selected as the Dean of Nursing at Florida International University!
In the southern states, Florida International University Nurse Anesthesia Program has the most diverse CRNA cohorts & full-time faculty of color.
And, FIU believes in admission equity and does not require the GRE for consideration into the nurse anesthesia program.
In video: Dr. Yasmine Campbell, DNP, CRNA, CNE, CHSE (Assistant Chair of Academic Affairs) presenting on Florida International University Nurse Anesthesia Program to diverse critical care nurses at a Diversity CRNA Event!
I am a CRNA story of grace, mercy & service…
It’s been 15 years in the making since 2009 when forced to sell merchandise in NYC from my failed business. Enrolled in an Associate Degree in Nursing Program, then pursued BSN. As an ICU Nurse, attended a Diversity CRNA Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Event.
Accepted, matriculated and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Nurse Anesthesia Program (Cohort, 2021).
First Lieutenant Dr. Donovan Matalie, DNP, CRNA!
Diversity CRNA Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop at Virginia Commonwealth University…
Dr. Chiamaka Ndukwe, DNAP, CRNA reviewing functionality of the anesthesia machine to critical care nurses of color interested in Nurse Anesthesia. Now, marginalized critical care nurses can write in personal essay for nurse anesthesia admission consideration.
And, then provide access for historically excluded nurses of color to touch anesthesia equipment.
Watch them grow…
Repeat after me...I will be a CRNA!
This is the Immersion Model for Diversifying Nurse Anesthesia Program at it’s very best!
I had the worse GRE results & received a conditional acceptance into a nurse anesthesia program. Graduated with Sigma Theta Tau National Honors and passed CRNA Boards on the first attempt.
In 15 years, I paid CRNA Boards for 8 nurse anesthesia graduates with financial difficulties and offer free Diversity CRNA Personal Statement Review & Mock Interview services for historically excluded nurses of color interested in nurse anesthesia.
Remind me again…what was the GRE supposed to measure?
Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FADLN, FAANA, FAAN
HBCU Schools of Nursing matter in nurse anesthesia journey!
Mentoring all the way from a HBCU as a Morgan State University nursing student to critical care nursing to graduating from the University of North Florida CRNA Program to CRNA preceptor at Diversity CRNA on the campus of VCU!
“The seed was planted, watered, nurtured and given the opportunity to grow. The fruits I enjoy is the gift aka the present! Thank you, God, and thank you Dr. Gould”
I see you, Dr. Moncy Mathews, DNP, CRNA!
Welcome to the Diversity CRNA Wellness & Joy Collective!
CRNAs, Nurse Anesthesia Residents, Nurses & Nursing Students...Please join us for the Diversity CRNA Wellness & Joy Collective!
Learn more about it
on our website and be about it at Diversity CRNA 2025 Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop Events, Diversity CRNA HBCU School of Nursing Tours & Diversity CRNA Doctorate Symposium!!
This platform emerged for our Diversity CRNA Community, with a mission to foster joy, wellness, and a sense of belonging among underrepresented CRNAs and future CRNAs.
Thank you, Levia Sutton, MSN, CRNA, University of Pennsylvania PhD Student & Robert Wood Johnson Policy Scholar for leading this initiative!
In 2019, Kindra Dominique, critical care nurse, attended a Diversity CRNA Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop at Augusta University!
In 2025, Dr. Kindra Dominique, DNAP, CRNA (Alumni, Advent Health University) will be a preceptor at Diversity CRNA Rosalind Franklin University Event.
Full circle.
In 2023…
Our manuscript was published with two CRNA Program Directors, Diversity CRNA Founder and two PhD RN Researchers in the Nursing Outlook Journal
Addressing Structural & Systemic Barriers in Nurse Anesthesia Programs: Recommendation to Eliminate the GRE and Adopt Holistic Admissions
We did this! Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, Nickie Damico, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, (VCU) Dr. Edwin Aroke, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN (UAB) Dr. Chris Simmons, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN (Duke University) & Jiale Gary Hu, PhD, RN, FAAN (VCU)
Diversify the nurse anesthesia profession and remove structural barriers with holistic admissions, intentionally.
One year ago, But God…
This teenage mom worked her way up from nursing assistant to Associate Degree Nurse to BSN. Then Tieneasha attended a Diversity CRNA 2018 Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop as a critical care nurse.
Fast forward…Graduated from La Salle University Nurse Anesthesia Program with high academic honors in December 2022 and passed CRNA boards in January 2023.
Dr. Tieneasha Hines, DNP, CRNA, Proud Alumna of La Salle University, Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Student & former teenage mother delivering anesthesia from the same community raised in her youth.
After much consideration, Dr. Gould has decided to deactivate her Twitter account.
Moving forward, she will be sharing insights, updates, and engaging with her community on Blue Sky.
You can now follow Dr. Gould on Blue Sky at: @drlenag.bsky.social
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to connecting with you in this new space!