ABOUT US
Testimonials
SRNA (Arkansas State University)
On 08/11/2013 I was invited by my mentors Dr. Lena Gould, CRNA, EdD & John David Bing Jr, CRNA to speak at the American Association of Nurse Anesthetist (AANA) annual meeting (Las Vegas, NV) for the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program (DNAMP) black & white event. I am blessed to be given a platform to tell my testimony & to inspire other minority nurses of color.
BSN, CCRN (Maryland)
I’m so glad to have been a part of this weekend’s conference at the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program geared to help minorities excel in such a highly coveted profession!! It is such a blessing that people like Dr Lena Gould and Mr John Bing and their team of mentors are helping so many students achieve their dreams!! Thank you all, I can’t wait to get involved
and give back!
SRNA (Florida)
You inspire me so much. Your vision to create diversity in nurse anesthesia has helped so many people including me. Your mentorship has helped me get to this point and now the craziness will begin in a few months. Because of DNAMP, I know more SRNAs & CRNAs then I would imagine I would before beginning school. When discouragement tried to creep in , you pumped me right back up. Continue to do what you do. It’s changing lives. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU.#inmyfeelings#mymentor #blessed##happy#rn
#bsn#ccrn#SRNA
BSN, CCRN (NJ)
Dr. Lena Gould, thank you for all that you do. Your selfless attitude and demeanor is forever inspiring. This weekend was simply invaluable and unforgettable. After this weekend, I find myself fully encouraged and motivated to realize my dream and my potential.
SRNA (University of New England)
Had an awesome time this past weekend at Samuel Merritt University for the Diversity CRNA Info Session Event – Oakland California. So glad I was able to be part of the high Fidelity, manikin based simulation lab. Kudos to the entire staff and students of Samuel Merritt University for a great hospitality. As always they did an upstanding job. Thank you so much to our guest speaker Lynn Vitartas Reede, CRNA, DNP, MBA – AANA Senior Director Professional Practice, your message was very inspiring and encouraging. Thanks a million to Dr. Lena Gould, CRNA, EdD and John David Bing Jr, CRNA for all you
do for us!!!
BSN, CCRN (Maryland) Sept. 2013
A wise man ( my father ) to be specific, once told me that a good leader is the one who leads by example. I have had a distinct privilege of meeting the president of AANA Mr.Dennis Bless, CRNA, MS. at the Diversity CRNA Information Session at the University of Pittsburgh and solidify my understanding of nurse anesthesia as a profession. Mr. Bless presented nurse anesthesia from several angles and illustrated current issues with a special emphasis on the need to add diversity and making the profession represent the true makeup of the our society. Mr. Bless was very involved during the two day nurse anesthesia mentorship program and airway workshop organized by Dr. Lena Gould, Mr. John David Bing Jr, and Dr. John O’Donnell of the University of Pittsburgh. Similar to many other fellow future CRNAs I enjoyed being mentored by Mr. Bless on proper establishment and maintenance of airways at the WISER institute. THANK YOU is all I can say.
MS, CRNA (Texas)
The Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program, in my opinion, signifies progress and much needed change. I met Dr. Wallena Gould, CRNA at the Annual Meeting in Minneapolis in 2008 as a trainee. And at the time, the statistics regarding the numbers of nurse anesthetists of color were abysmal. Through this program, minority trainees are being exposed to a career in nurse anesthesia in record numbers. Although the numbers are not yet where they should be, they are improving. As Gandhi so eloquently stated, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Wallena is a living testament to this statement. Through her vision and leadership, she has instilled in many of us along the way to continue to inspire others the way she inspired us. I subscribe to this school of thought and have made myself visible and available to a number of nurses and nursing students on their own quest to achieve the previously perceived unachievable career of nurse anesthesia. This is progress.
RN, BSN, CCRN, SRNA
Class of 2013 Co-Class Representative,
Nurse Anesthesia Specialty, School of Nursing,
University of Maryland, Baltimore
2012-2013 Student Representative,
Maryland Association of Nurse Anesthetists
The Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program has had an enormous impact on my life. My life has changed drastically for the better since I met Dr. Lena Gould, CRNA, EdD and John Bing, CRNA. Not only did I get accepted to the Nurse Anesthesia program at University of Maryland, Baltimore; I have also made high quality lifelong friends.
From the very first Diversity Information Session I went to at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, I knew that I had met a group of friendly, high caliber people from interesting and diverse backgrounds. Next, I went to an Airway workshop at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I learned a great deal about airway anatomy, techniques for intubation, and how to use a fiber-optic bronchoscope. I also had the opportunity to view and manipulate an anesthesia machine.
READ MOREAnother positive outcome of the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program is that I have become more sensitive to the needs of cultures which are different than mine. In making friends from various cultural backgrounds, sharing life experiences with them, and listening to their life experiences, I have been able to gain some insight into cultures which are different than what I grew up around. I have come to value variety of culture tremendously through the friends I have made in Diversity.
As a result of the friends I made through Diversity, I was offered an opportunity to help the people of Nicaragua on a medical mission. It was an amazing experience which really tested my anesthesia skills. John Bing, CRNA served as my mentor for the trip; I was humbled by the amount of experience and knowledge he was willing to share with me. I feel as though I have become a much stronger clinician as a result.
Through Diversity I was able to gain an insight as to what the field of Nurse Anesthesia is like before entering Nurse Anesthesia training. Being able to get my questions answered before entering the program was invaluable; I knew I needed to prepare myself for a very difficult 28 months. Subsequently, I was able to get my affairs in order before entering training. Considering how difficult the training is, I would not have wanted to enter graduate school without that insight.
To any prospective students who are on the fence about applying to Nurse Anesthesia school, I offer the following words of advice. 1) Get your questions answered. 2) Prepare your life so that you can focus without distraction for the next 3-4 years. 3) The work is hard but advice is available. This is what really makes it possible. Seek a good mentor, then do as they suggest, no matter how difficult. Best of Luck.
Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist
University of North Florida, Class of 2013
While researching minorities in anesthesia during my first year of anesthesia school, I came across Dr. Lena Gould’s name in various online articles. When I heard her name during a session at my first AANA meeting, I had to introduce myself. During that introduction, Dr. Gould gave me her email address and informed me that I could contact her anytime. Weeks later, I sent her an email. Forty five minutes from the time I sent the initial email, she emailed back with her phone number. Twenty minutes later, I called her, and had one of the best conversations with a CRNA since starting anesthesia school. Dr. Gould and the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program has truly been a blessing to me. Prior to getting involved in DNAMP, my journey through anesthesia school was definitely a struggle. The members of DNAMP are devoted to mentoring not only minorities but also anyone interested in anesthesia. They are always a phone call, text message, or email away. Through the DNAMP, I have had the opportunity to network with people I probably would not have had to opportunity to meet without DNAMP. I have had the chance to complete research that will most likely extend to a doctoral degree. Lastly, I have gained relationships that will last a lifetime. My only regret is not finding out about the DNAMP sooner. Dr. Lena Gould truly is, ‘The Bomb Dot Com.’
Capt, USAF, NC
CRNA
Shannon Segres, CRNA, MSN introduced me to Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia back in 2008 before I entered University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) NAP. Who would have known that this organization would inspire me and so many minorities interested in becoming a CRNA. Not only did I benefit from the advice and encouragement from this organization but more importantly it allowed me to become a role model for others. During my first year of school I received the DCANA scholarship for educating students (mostly minorities) at a local community college about Nurse Anesthesia. I also was the student moderator for the Diversity CRNA program at UMB. Despite being the only African American female in my program, I never felt alone. In fact, it motivated me to excel. Thank you Lena for your unwavering dedication and your courageous spirit!!