Before becoming a CRNA…
Over 35 years ago, I was 19 years old Black woman with a 14 month old and suddenly homeless in a fierce snowstorm with no phone. It’s the most isolating & painful time in one’s life.
Reading saved me in my refuge at a local public library for 3 months during one of the darkest period of our lives.
Today, I walked passed that library. Whew!
Three months later, after securing a 1 bedroom subsidized apartment with no air conditioner and a bus pass, I enrolled in college. I could not afford a computer and used the college library's computer lab to write papers before picking up my son from the day care center.
Many years later, I found my purpose and became the founder of the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program. Blessed to have mentored over 820 RNs of color to become CRNAs into an award winning evidenced-based national initiative.
It all started with reading daily, the ability to forgive those who hurt you the most, and praying.
“The function of freedom is to free someone else.” Toni Morrison
Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN
www.DiversityCRNA.org
Three CRNAs selected in the inaugural class of 176 Fellows selected for newly established Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (ADLN).
All thee CRNAs will be inducted in the inaugural ADLN Fellows as Posthumous (historical contribution), Luminary and Distinguished categories.
The induction ceremony will take place at the National Black Nurses Conference in San Francisco (July 23rd - 28th)
Congratulations to following CRNAs for their contributory work in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Justice
Goldie Brangman, CRNA, MBA, MEd- Program Director, Harlem School of Anesthesia and the first and only Black AANA President (1973 - 1974) and Nurse Anesthesia Program Director at Harlem Hospital of Anesthesia (1951 - 1986)
Dr. Edwin Aroke, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN (Tenured Associate Professor, PhD Program Director, NIH Racial Pain Disparities Researcher, University of Alabama at Birmingham)
Dr. Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN as founder and CEO of the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program.
Congratulations to all 176 inaugural Fellows!
Congratulations to these Trailblazers for their outstanding dedication and leadership in advancing diversity and excellence in nursing.
Click on the link to check out the official press release:
https://lnkd.in/esZvh6QC
Three CRNAs were selected in the inaugural class of 176 Fellows selected for newly established Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (ADLN).
Goldie Brangman, CRNA, MBA, MEd will be inducted in the inaugural ADLN Posthumous Fellows cohort for historical contribution.
Goldie Brangman Nurse Anesthetist was the Founder & Program Director, Harlem School of Anesthesia 1951 – 1986.
Notably, she administered anesthesia to Dr. Martin King Jr. after near fatal stabbing assassination in Harlem 1958. In 1958, while on call at Harlem Hospital, Goldie Brangman, CRNA would deliver anesthesia to Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. for an assassination attempt to him with a near fatal stab wound to his chest while he was in Harlem at a book signing event.
Ms. Brangman was the first and only Black Nurse Anesthetist elected as the AANA President 1973 -1974.
The Fellows ADLN induction ceremony will take place at the National Black Nurses Conference in San Francisco (July 23rd - 28th).
Three CRNAs selected in the inaugural class of 176 Fellows selected for newly established Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (ADLN)…
I am deeply honored to be 1 of 3 CRNAs selected for the Fellows Inaugural luminary cohort at the National Black Nurses Association Annual Conference.
Dr. Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, Founder & CEO, Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program.
The Fellows ADLN induction ceremony will take place at the National Black Nurses Conference in San Francisco (July 23rd - 28th).
Congratulations Dr. Edwin Aroke, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN (Tenured Associate Professor, PhD Program Director, NIH Racial Pain Disparities Researcher, University of Alabama at Birmingham)
Honored to be 1 of 3 CRNAs selected for the Inaugural Class of Distinguished Fellows of the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing - Dr. Goldie Brangman (RIP), Lena Gould and Edwin Aroke . It's an honor to lead our shared vision of Diversity and Health Equity. Inaugural induction ceremony taken place at the National Black Nurses Association Conference in San Francisco (July 23rd - 28th).
Keynote Speaker, Diversity CRNA 2024 Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop hosted at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science...
Dr. Christian Tekwe, PhD, CRNA as the President of the Association of Cameroonian Nurse Anesthetists of America. A shared story of Cameroonian CRNAs across the country and impact globally.
A crna•ish story to create safe spaces by changing the CRNA workforce to reflect community.
This is our third out of five filled to seated capacity 2024 Events: Diversity CRNA Info Session & Airway Lab hosted at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science Aug 16th - 18th
Diversity CRNA 2022 Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop hosted at Virginia Commonwealth University...
Dr. Chiamaka Ndukwe, DNAP, CRNA as preceptor reviewing the functionality of the anesthesia machine to critical care nurses of color interested in Nurse Anesthesia. Now, they can write about immersive experience in nurse anesthesia personal statement.
We provide access for historically excluded nurses to touch anesthesia equipment intentionally. Watch them grow…
"You can't be, what you can't see" ~ Marian Wright Edelman
This is the Immersion Model for Diversifying Nurse Anesthesia Program at its very best!
Just a reminder that you belong in this space and say to yourself...I will be a CRNA!
Watch this future diverse CRNA workforce space grow!
Diversity CRNA 2024 Information Airway Simulation Lab Workshop hosted at the University of Pittsburgh with preceptor, Dr. Shelly Lynch, DNP, CRNA.
Now, imagine writing about this weekend immersive event surrounded by CRNA mentors and faculty in personal statement
We will repeat these Diversity CRNA 2024 hands-on experiences at 5 universities across the country.
All intentional & necessary, of course.
Honored to be a podium presenter for the 52nd National Black Nurses Association Annual Institute Conference in San Francisco, July 23rd - 28th!
I will present on two separate topics followed by a panel discussion!
Topic: The Immersion Model: A Black CRNA Pipeline Imperative
Topic: A Body of Work and the Fellow Process: Let's Talk Black Nurses
Register for NBNA Annual Institute & Conference
nbna.org/conf
Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN
The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Global Applications to Advance Health Equity...
Chapter 3: Diversifying the Nursing Workforce by Drs. Sheldon D. Fields & Mitchell J. Wharton
Excited the Immersion Model for Diversifying Nurse Anesthesia Programs featured as an exemplary model!!
Dr. Sheldon Fields, PhD, RN, CRNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN (Associate Dean for Equity & Inclusion, Penn State University College of Nursing & President, National Black Nurses Association) the "Immersion Model is the perfect example of what we need to be doing in nursing to truly diversify the profession".
À crna•ish moment with CRNA panelists introducing themselves and sharing background and their current situation to diverse ICU Nurses at the University of Pittsburgh.
We always start an immersive weekend with a Friday Meet & Greet Event at the Diversity CRNA 2024 Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop!!
Historically excluded critical care nurses of color were able to ask follow up questions to CRNA Panelists at the Diversity CRNA Meet & Greet Event!
This is called access and early professional socialization for the award winning evidenced-based grassroots independent diversity initiative!
When Men nurses of color interested in Nurse Anesthesia surround themselves with CRNAs who mirror them and touch anesthesia equipment, they tend to thrive beyond measure
Diversity CRNA 2024 Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop hosted at the University of Pittsburgh.
I see you Dr. Everett Moss, DNP, CRNA as Airway preceptor encouraging men critical care nurses at the epidural placement station.
New Publication Alert!
Our manuscript was published by the founder Diversity CRNA & VCU PhD Researcher in the Nursing Outlook Journal.
Underrepresented nurses' perceptions of a mentorship program supporting their applications for advanced practice nursing programs: A descriptive cross-sectional survey study from 2007 – 2019.
Dr. Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, & Dr. Jiale Gary Hu, PhD, RN, FAAN (VCU, Director of Research & Global Outreach)
Now, imagine…
These are a few of the actual critical care nurses from 2007 - 2019 who participated at each of the individual Diversity CRNA Info & Airway Sim Lab Events for this study.
Their voices mattered and today they are CRNAs in this 2024 Nursing Outlook Journal article.
I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Xponential Growth: Mentorship thru Education!
Thank you for another NO! Watch me improve the safety of epidural placement! Thanks for doubting me. Here I come!!!!
I will, I can, I am an industry game changer!
Xact Counter!!!
A CRNA testimony on why mentorship matters as shared by Dr. Shelly Lynch, DNP, CRNA (Diversity CRNA Board Member) from this past weekend at the Diversity CRNA 2024 Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop hosted at the University of Pittsburgh....
Mentorship Matters!
Shout out to the Diversity CRNA family…what a way to show up and show out this weekend for the mentees. To the aspiring and rising CRNAs, keep going and don’t give up. You have a community of folks cheering for you.
Why do WE do what WE do?? Out of a 60K CRNA Workforce, only 4% are Black CRNAs, 4% Hispanic CRNAs, 3% Asian CRNAs & 0.7% Indigenous CRNAs. These numbers are alarming to the lack of diversity within the anesthesia world. Let’s continue to change that.
In the words of Lena Gould: Repeat after me... I will be a CRNA!
Access, professional socialization & opportunity core of the Immersion Model for Diversifying Nurse Anesthesia Programs!
I see you…Dr. T’Anya Carter, PhD, CRNA!
Embracing our history and heritage …
Remembering the past, celebrating the present, and shaping the future…Honoring the resilience and strength of our ancestors on #Juneteenth.
"What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim." – Frederick Douglas
In Chicago…
Dr. Tedrick Vernon, DNP, CRNA will present on Basics of Anesthesia Diversity CRNA 2024 Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop at Rosalind Franklin University (August 16th - 18th)
Historically excluded critical care nurses of color from across the country interested in Nurse Anesthesia will be surrounded by CRNA mentors.
Dr. Tedrick Vernon, DNP, CRNA teach as an instructor for Duke University Nurse Anesthesia Program, Co-Chair of Diversity CRNA HBCU School of Nursing Tours, Diversity CRNA Board Member. And, he is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Nurses of color will be able to write about immersive experience in personal statement for Nurse Anesthesia admission consideration.
Repeat after me...I will be a CRNA!
This is the pathway movement of change by the Immersion Model for Diversifying Nurse Anesthesia Programs.
Thank you!
Give credit, where credit is due!
All CRNAs earned 16 AANA Class A Credits at the Diversity CRNA 2024 Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop University of Pittsburgh for the June 7th - 9th Event!
“You can't be, what you can't see" ~ Marian Wright Edelman
Three more filled to capacity Diversity CRNA Events to go at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, Duke University and Fairfield in 2024!
Diversity CRNA 2024 Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop hosted at the University of Pittsburgh
Pediatric intubation skill station with a critical care nurse and Jennifer Babia Espiritu CRNA from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
In 2018, Nathaniel Camillo attended a Diversity CRNA Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshop Event. Then, he was accepted into Boston College Nurse Anesthesia Program!
Exceptionally cool he wore this shirt to work on that day. Three years ago, he graduated from Boston College and he is now delivering anesthesia as a CRNA in the Boston area!