CRNA News

Congratulations to the faculty and CRNAs who were selected as recipients of our department’s 2023 Chair’s Excellence Awards. These individuals are recognized by our Chair Dr. Aman Mahajan and department leaders for going above and beyond in their service to our patients and department.

On Tuesday, June 13, the UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside Diversity Mentorship Program was launched. Together with Danielle Robinson (Presbyterian Nursing), David A. Snyder, MSN, CRNA from UPMC Shadyside is leading the program, which targets emerging leaders among employees of color from the Presbyterian and Shadyside hospitals.

CRNAs set up a team under the Magee Anesthesia Cares committee to help raise money to fund care for children in need, especially those requiring extended and involved care.

The award recognizes staff members who go above and beyond their job duties, maintain a high office morale, and actively display UPMC’s values.

Les studied at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nurse Anesthesia, graduating in 2009 with a Master of Science of Nursing. He began employment at UPMC Presbyterian as a Level II CRNA in 2009 and was promoted to Level 2 Senior in the CRNA Career Ladder. He was known for his great work ethic.

Our Shadyside CRNAs Jessica E. Kridler, MSN, CRNA, and Rachel Hicks, MSN, CRNA, gave presentations and led demonstrations for students to practice intubation and bag mask ventilation techniques on training mannequins.

Nearly 50 of our CRNAs participated in the ALICE training. ALICE is a training acronym and response protocol for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate.

CRNA Week 2023 took place January 23-29 and marked another year of celebration, appreciation, and community service.

“There & Back Again: Sarah’s Life Changing Experience on the Appalachian Trail” on the UPMC Careers website tells the fascinating tale of our UPMC Presbyterian nurse anesthetist Sarah E. Robison, MSN, CRNA, and her adventures hiking the entire Appalachian Trail.

Nicole R. Nowe, MSN, CRNA, received the Mary DePaolis Lutzo Anesthetist of the Year Award and Ezeldeen Abuelkasem, MBBCh, MSc, FASE, received the Stephen Finestone Anesthesiologist of the Year Award.