In 2003, as a La Salle University nurse anesthesia student, my poster project on the lack of diversity in the nurse anesthesia profession revealed a 37K CRNA workforce with 6% of color.
This 2024 photo of the 62nd Diversity CRNA Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab hosted at Midwestern University
In 2024, a 60K CRNA Workforce, only 4% are Black CRNAs, 4% Hispanic CRNAs, 3% Asian CRNAs & 0.7% Indigenous CRNAs
In 2024, we have 5 Diversity CRNA Info & Airway events with early professional socialization to increase representation. This fun fact moves us to do so.
By October 2024, the 63rd, 64th, 65th and 66th Diversity CRNA Info Session & Airway Sim Lab Workshops with a promise of a future diverse CRNA workforce!
The poster project morphed into the Immersion Model for Diversifying Nurse Anesthesia Programs with multiple National awards:
2024 - American Nurses Association Innovation Team Award
2022- American Academy of Nursing Edge Runner
2019 - American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Agatha Hodgins Award for Outstanding Accomplishment
2018 - National Black Nurses Association Trailblazer Award
2015 - American Academy of Nursing, Inducted as first CRNA of color as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
By October 2024, we will be done with the 63rd, 64th, 65th and 66th Diversity CRNA Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab Workshops with a promise of a future diverse CRNA workforce!
"I am deliberate and afraid of nothing"
Audre Lorde
Dr. Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN
Imagine patients who live in the community and meet a Black OB/GYN, Nurses and a CRNA in the OR that mirror them?
Now, imagine the healthcare surgical outcomes as a result in Black Maternal and gynecological healthcare.
I see you...
Dr. Shai Wilkins, DNP, CRNA!
Diversity CRNA 2023 HBCU School of Nursing Tour Howard University.
Dr. Jamare Reed DNP, CRNA speaking to nursing students about his journey. He grew up in a group home in high school. Then, became a Respiratory Therapist and continued on for an Associate Degree in Nursing, then BSN. Finally, a CRNA! All God.
As per Dr. Reed: “The Lord is my Shepard, and his Angels are my army. I am a living witness, that all things are possible.”
Here are five tips for CRNAs to prioritize their mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month:
- Prioritize self-care through regular rituals like exercise and meditation.
- Seek support from colleagues or professionals when needed.
- Set clear boundaries between work and personal life to prevent burnout.
- Practice mindfulness techniques to reduce stress and enhance resilience.
- Educate yourself about mental health resources and coping strategies for better well-being.
The AANA Helpline—800-654-5167—is available 24/7 for a live, confidential response with support, information, and helpful resources. For a crisis with potential immediate risk for harm to yourself or others, call 911 or 988 for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
A transformative story on not seeing CRNAs of color featured or as chapter authors in nurse anesthesia textbooks in 2002 as a nurse anesthesia student. Finally, I was able to make an obvious difference in this omission of representation in nurse anesthesia education textbooks.
Amazing when your direct line of early professional socialization in diversifying the CRNA profession shaped a different representation 2022.
Meet Dr. Fred Reed DNP, CRNA in this journey of inclusion in nurse anesthesia textbooks.
Dr. Fred Reed DNP CRNA photo featured in 7th ed of Nurse Anesthesia (Nagelhout) in book chapter written by Dr. Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN on Patient Centered Care & Cultural Competence. This chapter covers racism as a public health crisis, workforce diversity, Black maternal mortality & impact of COVID19.
This image of Dr. Reed in the OR at LeBonheur Children's Hospital Memphis, TN. This was the first time a Black man CRNA featured in nurse anesthesia textbook nationwide. Notably, he was the only Black CRNA delivering anesthesia at this premier Children's Hospital.
Yes, diversifying the CRNA workforce is important on impact of racially concordant care to diverse patients in communities leading to better health outcomes.
More importantly, the chapters written by CRNAs of color provide a different perspective through a health equity lens.
I see you…Dr. Fred Reed, DNP, CRNA! And, so do nurse anesthesia students across the country in their reading assignments.
And, just like that, Second Lieutenant Calvin Sparks Otterbein University DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program passed CRNA boards!
From high school drop out to husband and father to CRNA!
“True Kings don’t die...we multiply” ~ Jay Z
Second Lieutenant Sparks solidified his DNP scholarly project with an educational acronym for autistic children named after his son Aiden. A quick reference tool for utilization of educational resources at the facility and how to approach autistic children.
Diversity CRNA 2024 HBCU Tour at North Carolina A&T State University School of Nursing.
On March 15th, nursing students had an opportunity to review the anesthesia machine, intubate mannequins and placement of spinal on their campus and network with Black CRNAs.
Dr. Nathaly Palacios DNP, CRNA as preceptor at intubation station.
Honestly, diversifying the nurse anesthesia profession to HBCU nursing students is about access, early professional socialization and networking with Black CRNAs
Love how WE show up in their time of glory!!
Praise God!! Congratulations Dessiarae!! My heart was with you all day!
As per Dr. Rylee Apodaca, DNP, CRNA (Diversity CRNA Board Member who was present at Dessiarae Sanchez’s Samford University Nurse Anesthesia Program Commencement Ceremony:
“What an absolute privilege to watch you come full circle, Dessiarae. I’m not only proud OF you, but I’m inspired BY you. From Diversity CRNA to graduation day… you made this happen and I’m honored to bear witness to it.
To a lifelong friendship and more. I proudly introduce to you, Dr. D Sanchez!”
Absolutely, beautiful!
In Nurse Anesthesia Faculty & PhD News…
Congratulations to Dr. Lukeythia Bastardi, PhD, DNAP, CRNA, (Nurse Anesthesia Faculty, Johns Hopkins University) on successfully defending her PhD mixed methods research on CRNA Faculty of Color!
Thank you lifting silent voices in nurse anesthesia academia!
PhD Dissertation: Perceived Barriers and Facilitators for Underrepresented Minority CRNA in Faculty Roles
"Research is formalized curiosity" ~Zora Neale Hurston
BRAVO!!!
In 2017, we launched the Diversity CRNA Doctorate Symposium on the campus of Howard University School of Nursing.
Invited Keynote, Dr. Eric Williams, DNP, RN, FAAN (President, National Black Nurses Association). Since this event, 7 doctorate prepared panelists became Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing.
And, 5 are PhD CRNAs of color , 4 enrolled in PhD Programs & 6 are Nurse Anesthesia Full-Time Educators.
In 2017 photo: James as a nurse anesthesia student at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Fast forward 2024, United States Air Force Captain Dr. James Winters DNP CRNA, NPMP-C is an Advanced Pain Management Fellow. Dr. Winters is one 7 Black CRNAs Fellows with the specialty credential of Non-Surgical Pain Management or NSPM-C in a 60K CRNA workforce.
Embarking on an unforgettable journey, Nkam Mongwa, MSN, CRNA conquered the towering heights of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, standing tall at 19,341 feet.
Overcoming rugged terrain and unpredictable weather, the ascent demanded perseverance and determination. After an awe-inspiring climb lasting 5.5 days, the summit revealed its majestic beauty, offering breathtaking views that stretched as far as the eye could see.
The descent, though quicker at 1.5 days, was no less exhilarating with each step. What a memorable, life time experience.
Nkam representing Diversity CRNA wearing a sweatshirt at the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, priceless!
I'm excited to start my new position as a CRNA at Jefferson Health System in the City of Brotherly Love.
Wallena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN
Founder & CEO, Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program
In Nurse Anesthesia Faculty News…
Congratulations to Dr. Jakkarin Jake Sareerak, DNP, CRNA, CHSE selected as the inaugural Nurse Anesthesia Program Director at the University of California Davis, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing.
This is pending accreditation for the first cohort June 2025 in Sacramento per the Council of Accreditation.
Dr. Sareerak is a former Assistant Professor at Samuel Merritt University CRNA Program and Simulation Lab Coordinator. Also, he is a Certified Simulator Healthcare Educator.
In addition, Dr. Sareerak is currently enrolled in the PhD Program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
This innovative program combines distance-based education w/ on-campus high-fidelity simulation & clinical experience throughout California.