Testimonials

CRNA, DNP (Texas)

The Diversity CRNA website is an awesome venue for SRNA and CRNA candidates to seek support, receive encouragement and gain valuable information from insight on productive navigation through their personal program to how to obtain the job of their dreams. The anesthesia and pain management industry is exciting, innovative and ever evolving and Lena’s website captures that same essence and transforms it into a tool for every user, novice to expert. I am continually visiting this site as a networking hub and a resource for new projects in the vast and vital world of anesthesiology. Kudos to Lena and thank you for creating such a useful gateway into our field.

BSN, CCRN (Maryland)

I always knew that I wanted to be a CRNA but it seemed impossible to get there. I heard about the Diversity in CRNA Mentorship Program from a coworker and I immediately knew that I had to go. I attended the 2013 Diversity in CRNA Mentorship Program at Pittsburgh University and it is a weekend that I will never forget. Dr. John O’Donnell, the program director of Pittsburgh Nurse Anesthesia Program and Dr. Lena Gould and Mr. John Bing made this experience unforgettable. I got the opportunity to interact with the guest speaker, the AANA President, Dennis Bless CRNA, MS, and practice clinical skills at the Wiser Simulation Lab. I was excited to connect with so many people who all had the same goal and passion as I do- to be a CRNA. I left the first day speechless and excited about what the future holds. I felt like I finally had a chance to make my dreams come true! Thank you Dr. John O’Donnell for hosting the Diversity in CRNA Mentorship Program at your school and thank you Dr. Gould and Mr. Bing for all your help along the way. This journey has been one I will never forget and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without you!

CRNA, MSN
Graduate of Thomas Jefferson University NAP 2013

My story was a little bit different in the sense that I had not heard about the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia program before I started my anesthesia program . Had I known, I am sure that my application process and journey to starting my career as a nurse anesthetist could have been a much smoother transition. Within weeks of starting my nurse anesthesia program, I had met several classmates that raved about the program and its founder Dr. Lena Gould, CRNA. They shared with me their personal unique experiences and dealings with the Diversity CRNA program. This inspired me to become involved and spread awareness about the program that I had not get to experience to the fullest upon starting my personal journey. Since getting involved, I have encouraged many others to also get involved and not miss out on the experience that mentorship program can provide. I have been able to act as a mentor to others much like Lena Gould and John Bing have been to me. Being able to pay it forward is the best way to further the mission of such a wonderful organization. Thank you Lena for allowing me to be a part of your ultimate goal of expanding diversity in the
field of anesthesia.

SRNA
Drexel University Nurse Anesthesia Program – Class of 2015

The love of science has been instilled in me for as long as I can remember. My grandmother and numerous aunts were nurses and my father was biology major in college. This passion for science was reflected in my first career choice as a Cytotechnologist. As a cytotechnologist I studied the vastness of the human body on a cellular level and continued to marvel as I learned to thoroughly understand the human cell and how various disease processes affected it.

While my career allowed me to help patients indirectly, not having direct contact with them left me feeling unchallenged and frustrated. In 2004 I decided to do something about my frustration and began to extensively research the many fields of study that pertained to Health Sciences. As I weighed my options, I found the nursing profession to be a natural fit for my intellectual and nurturing capabilities. READ MORE

BSN, CCRN-CSC, SRNA
Rutgers University Nurse Anesthesia Program

The Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program has opened so many doors of opportunities for me, including gaining admission into a CRNA program. I attended my first DNAMP session at Samuel Merritt University in Oakland, CA. The information session and airway simulation were so helpful in guiding me through my application process. Getting “my feet wet” in the simulation lab was an exciting experience and strengthened my inner desire to become a CRNA.

Dr. Lena Gould and Mr. John Bing became my mentors and I truly admire them for all the hard work they do in keeping this organization going. They have given me inspiration not only to become a great CRNA, but to guide and mentor future minority SRNAs (like myself). I was honored to have been a part of the SRNA Panel at the University of Pittsburgh (March 2013, to share my experiences with others who will be undergoing the same experiences I did. DNAMP has allowed me to become a part of a melting pot of intelligent individuals, coming together in unity. Thank you Dr. Lena Gould, Dr. John Bing, all the mentors, CRNAs and participating schools for such a fantastic program!

BSN, SRNA
Drexel University Nurse Anesthesia Program – Class of 2015

In 2008, I attended the Diversity CRNA Information Session at the Camden campus of Rutgers University. The guest speaker was Frank Purcell, BS (AANA Senior Director Federal Affairs). At the time, I was just starting an accelerated BSN nursing program. I was excited to become a nurse, as I had a degree in finance that left me somewhat unfulfilled.

This information session was sponsored by the DNAMP, and it opened up my eyes to the world of anesthesia. There were minority nurses, students, SRNAs, and CRNAs from across the country. They were there enthusiastically pursuing a career in nurse anesthesia or mentoring other people in some fashion. They were open to questions, and provided insight on the rigors and pleasures of a career in nurse anesthesia. They exchanged their personal information and were willing to help me and other students in any way possible.

In addition to the information session, I was invited by Dr. Gould and her colleagues to attend an airway workshop. Now as an SRNA, I now have a bigger appreciation of the opportunity. To have well experienced nurse anesthetist walk you through an anesthesia machine check and present the various airway devices used in anesthesia is a valuable experience that cant be overemphasized.

I would not be in a nurse anesthesia program if it was not for the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program. Point Blank. Period.

SRNA
Drexel University Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program Class of 2014

The Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program has opened a door for me to realize my dream. Thanks to the founder, Dr. Wallena Gould, who would do her best reaching out to me and anyone that need help, whether it is academic, emotional, or financial support. The connection I have built through DNAMP is incredible. DNAMP feels like a big family to me, and what’s more important is that as a SRNA, I am no longer pursuing my dream of becoming a CRNA all alone.

RN, BSN, CCRN, CSC, SRNA
University of Maryland Nurse Anesthesia Program, Class of 2015

I first met Dr. Lena Gould in 2010 when I attended the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program Workshop at the University of Maryland. In 2012, I attended the Airway Workshop held at Drexel University. I was able to gain so much valuable information and advise from Dr. Lena Gould, Mr. John Bing, and numerous other CRNAs and SRNAs. As a Registered Nurse and before I applied to a nurse anesthesia program, I attended the AANA Mid-Year Assembly Meeting and was engaged in the process of advocacy of nurse anesthetists across the country. It was at this meeting, Dr. Gould and John Bing introduced me to many CRNA colleagues and leaders of the AANA.

DNAMP has given me the support and encouragement I needed to succeed. I have always felt that both Dr. Lena Gould and Mr. John Bing were wholeheartedly dedicated to helping guide me through this challenging process. As an SRNA, I look at my fellow classmates and I am able to see and feel the strong presence of The Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program. I am sincerely grateful for all that Dr. Gould and Mr. Bing have done to help prepare all of us to become strong CRNAs.

SRNA
University of Pennsylvania Nurse Anesthesia Program
Class of 2015

After graduating with my BSN, I began exploring which graduate degree would best suit me. I searched the internet, read books and met with various nurse practitioners and nurse managers to explore my options. While researching I stumbled on the profession of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I had a general understanding of the role of a CRNA, however; I was unaware of the process of becoming one. A friend told me to look into the Diversity CRNA Mentorship Program and luckily for me, I did just that.

I attended the Diversity CRNA Information Session & Airway Simulation Lab at the University of Pittsburgh in 2011. I was able to get hands on experience and practice Adult/Pediatric Mask Ventilation, Adult/Pediatric intubation, spinal placement on a lumbar model, Fiber-optic and glide scope intubations and basic review of an Anesthesia Machine. Though I enjoyed having the hands on experience, it was the warm and friendly environment that Dr. Lena Gould and other Diversity CRNA members created that made the lasting impact for me. READ MORE

As a Registered Nurse, I attended the NJANA Fall Symposium where Dr. Gould who also attended and introduced me to Dr. Arthur Zwerling Chief CRNA at Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) who then invited me to shadow him at FCCC and in which I did. Then, I attended the New York Association of Nurse Anesthetist Meeting in the Fall and met Lynne Reede, CRNA, DNP (AANA Region Director) who embraced me as if I was currently enrolled in a program. A few months later, I applied and was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania Nurse Anesthesia Program and in my opinion it was because of Dr. Gould and Diversity CRNA Mentorship Program. Amazing journey so far…

MS, CPNP-PC, RN, AE-C, SRNA
Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
Certified Asthma Educator

As a pediatric nurse practitioner in the middle of a career change towards becoming a nurse anesthetist, I was thoroughly impressed at the professionalism and depth of information presented at the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program (DNAMP), which I attended at the Samuel Merrit University on March 21-22, 2014. Dr.Lena Gould and Mr. John Bing’s curriculum promotes diversity and under represented minority individuals for successful selection and completion of CRNA schools. The guided format allowed for open discussion with active and current leaders of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), various academic program directors,current CRNAs and student ambassadors. Informative sessions reviewed academic requirements for program admissions, challenges of the interviewing process, and a graduate level anesthesia lecture was even presented to the attendees as a guide for the academic rigors expected of nurse anesthesia students. READ MORE