We share with sadness news of the passing of our former colleague, Denise Lewkowicz, MSN, CRNA, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the age of 73.
Denise built an exceptional career grounded in clinical excellence, mentorship, and a lifelong commitment to the advancement of nurse anesthesia practice. She completed her BSN at Duquesne University School of Nursing and began her clinical career as a staff RN at Presbyterian University Hospital in 1974, before going on to earn her Diploma in Nurse Anesthesia from the University of Pittsburgh School of Anesthesia for Nurses. She returned to Presbyterian to begin her career as a CRNA and over the following years gained broad experience across multiple Pittsburgh institutions, including St. Francis General Hospital, UPMC South Side Hospital, and Allegheny General Hospital.
Driven by a passion for leadership and professional growth, Denise later earned her Master of Science in Nursing Administration from La Roche College School of Nursing, completing 300 practicum hours at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh focused on departmental operations, quality improvement, and staff development. That experience foreshadowed an important period in her career: in 1999, she was appointed Clinical Director of Nurse Anesthesia at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, a role she held with great distinction. In that capacity, she provided direct oversight of CRNA staff across Children's main campus, Children's North, and Bethel adult and pediatric surgery centers. She was deeply involved in credentialing, policy development, quality assurance, and CRNA education, including simulation-based training through WISER, and played a central role in the transition to the hospital's new Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center. In 2016, she was accepted to the Executive Track MBA Program at Indiana University, a testament to her continued drive to grow as a leader. Denise left UPMC in 2020.
Throughout her career, Denise was known as a dedicated mentor who worked tirelessly to create a supportive, collaborative environment for the anesthesia care team. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and former colleagues. Her contributions to our department and to the nurse anesthesia community leave a lasting legacy.
To read more about Denise, please find her obituary here: Denise C. Lewkowicz Obituary | 2026 | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette