The UPMC Presbyterian anesthesiology team, along with the University of Pittsburgh student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs), recognized Joseph Williams, MD, with the 2025 Fellowship Teaching Excellence Award at their June 25 morning meeting. Dr. Williams received the honor in recognition of his outstanding teaching, mentorship, and academic development of our SRNAs as part of UPMC’s Presbyterian’s SRNA Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship Mentorship Program.
Launched a few years ago, this educational initiative was developed in collaboration with SRNA and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) leadership, as well as Michael L. Boisen, MD, FASE, Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology (ACTA) Fellowship Program Director, and Kathirvel Subramaniam, MD, MPH, FASE, Director of our department’s Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Division. The program aims to provide SRNAs with enhanced exposure to cardiac anesthesia by pairing them with ACTA fellows. As a component of SRNA training, SRNAs work alongside ACTA fellows in the operating room, providing cardiac anesthesia. Through these experiences, ACTA fellows guide and mentor SRNAs, bolstering their practical knowledge and confidence in cardiac anesthesiology.
The tremendous impact of the program can largely be attributed to mentors like Dr. Williams, who graduated from the ACTA Fellowship Program this summer and recently joined our faculty as a Clinical Assistant Professor. Dr. Williams is now a member of the general/trauma anesthesiology team at UPMC Presbyterian and the cardiac anesthesiology team at UPMC Passavant.
The SRNA Fellowship Teaching Excellence Award is particularly noteworthy because it is nominated and selected by SRNAs—the individuals who directly benefit from the mentorship provided.
Congratulations to Dr. Williams for his outstanding dedication and for inspiring the next generation of CRNAs.