VANA By The Numbers – Summer 2024
As the spring semester concludes for nurse anesthesia students, here’s a look at some great highlights from around the state this year:
Mary Baldwin University (MBU):
- Derek Owens and junior nurse anesthesia residents Jena Conway, Danielle Donovan, Matt Pizzariella, and Anna Neumeister volunteered on a mission trip in San Raymundo, Guatemala. The four were able to provide anesthesia services for a variety of adult and pediatric cases that included hernia repairs, cholecystectomies and hysterectomies.
- Other junior nurse anesthesia residents have been busy practicing their advanced skills including POCUS, ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, neuraxial anesthesia techniques and pediatric airway management.
- Junior nurse anesthesia residents doing their clinical training at UVA Medical Center were able to attend a central line workshop.
- The MBU nurse anesthesia program received a record-breaking number of applicants this past year and the third incoming class will begin in August 2024.
Old Dominion University (ODU):
- ODU graduated 21 nurse anesthetists this spring, including a 100% pass rate of the National Certification Exam and 100% secured employment post-graduation!
- 19 of the spring 2024 graduates will be practicing in Virginia following graduation!
- Several ODU students were recognized at graduation, including:
- Brandi Ingram Sloan received the Agatha Hodgins Award.
- Mia Mira and Devon Arsalan received Clinical Excellence A
- Hollie Gripp and Roselyn Sylvain were recognized for their scholarly project with the Research Award.
- ODU also recognized the following individuals for their outstanding contributions to VANA and AANA:
- Brandi Ingram Sloan and Erin Francis for service on the VANA Communications Committee.
- Courtney Allen and Kendall Wolf for serving as VANA representatives and for serving on the Education Committee.
- Sarah Forsythe for service on both the VANA and AANA Health and Wellness Committees.
- Brittany Duffy was recognized for being a student advocate at the AANA Foundation.
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU):
- There has been an increase in demand for training opportunities in Virginia: VCU is thrilled to announce they received a record-breaking number of applications for their DNAP program. There were 576 completed applications for just 65 spots in the Class of 2027! For each candidate they admit, 7-8 highly qualified individuals will unfortunately be turned away. In late June, candidates finished their asynchronous video interviews and their committee is now deep into the review process. Those admitted will begin in January 2025.
- Nurse anesthesia training is fun! The Class of 2025 residents recently returned from their annual week-long simulation event, Anatomy Camp, held at the East Tennessee State University Quillen College of Medicine Anatomy Laboratory. This four-day event was packed with activities, including didactic lectures, ultrasound scanning sessions, cadaver-based mini-lectures and hands-on stations. It was an intense but rewarding week of learning, skill-building and fellowship.
Do you have a number, stat or fact we should highlight in the next VANA newsletter? Contact Sarah Lazcano at [email protected] to submit one today!
