NH CRNA Spotlight of the Month
Do you know a CRNA who elevates your practice or impacts the patients they serve? How is your practice, your patients, or your world a bit better because of this person’s actions? Have you ever wanted to show your appreciation for someone who deserves special recognition for the work they do everyday to better our profession? With the CRNA Spotlight, you can do just that. Nominate your colleagues, staff, or someone you feel deserves a moment in the “Spotlight” for contributing to our profession. A different CRNA will be featured monthly on the NHANA website and social media.
Click here to complete a nomination form.
June 2020 Spotlight – Anna Reis CRNA
Anna has a supportive family who has fostered her desire to learn from childhood. She knew she wanted to start a career in nursing at a young age. Her parents facilitated this by helping her attend the Vermont Academy of Science and Technology for her senior year of high school. It was there that she was able to take prerequisite collegiate nursing courses that helped confirm her belief nursing was the right career choice. After graduation from high school she attended the University of Vermont (UVM) where she obtained a bachelor’s of science in nursing. At UVM she had an undergraduate professor who was a CRNA, Dr. Greenfield. She was very impressed by Dr. Greenfield’s knowledge, passion for education, and poise. After this interaction, Anna was intrigued with anesthesia and developed a desire to learn more about a possible career in nurse anesthesia.
It didn’t take much research to learn what a hidden gem of a career it was! “It’s hard to believe it now, but in 2010 nursing jobs were hard to come by, especially critical care”. Anna took her first nursing job at the University of Vermont Medical Center (formerly Fletcher Allen Healthcare) on a busy neurosurgical floor/step-down. After two years she decided that it was time to continue on towards her goal of becoming a CRNA. She took a job in a combined medical and surgical intensive care unit at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC). DHMC is where she learned that continuing education is imperative in providing excellent care that generates good outcomes. After several years of absorbing critical care knowledge and skills, she and her now husband made the move from Vermont to Southwest Florida for her to attend Florida Gulf Coast University’s nurse anesthesia program.
Southwest Florida provided an excellent learning opportunity with its small class size and plentiful clinical experiences. But southwest Florida lacks a large academic medical facility with continuing education opportunities and most importantly, family. In 2018 Anna returned home to Vermont and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC). At the time, the decision to leave Florida and return to New England winters was daunting, but she is so glad that she made the move. Anna is now the CRNA Education Coordinator at DHMC. Anna’s ultimate goal is to help cultivate excellent and safe anesthesia providers. A smaller, more focused goal of hers is to go on a medical mission trip.
What Her Colleagues Say About Her…
Anna is a talented CRNA who has excelled in her role as an educator. Her accomplishments range from improving the clinical experience for students to providing excellent support and education to CRNA’s surrounding the COVID-19 crisis. Anna‘s passion for education is infectious and she strives to make the learning experience positive and enjoyable for her students. Her efforts are much appreciated by her fellow CRNAs in the department and for this, she deserves to be recognized
8 Quick Questions to Get to Know You Better…
- Top 3 hobbies/interests outside of work?
Hiking, cross country skiing, and spending time with family - Favorite thing to do in NH?
Hike - Mountains or seacoast?
Mountains - If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
New England is my home and is where I want to be. I love the four seasons (even if some of them are too short!) - Hardest concept in anesthesia to figure out?
Emergence! Getting the timing down to safely emerge a patient in a variety of settings was overwhelming. Thankfully, I had patient educators. - Pedi or Adults?
Pedi - CRNA you look up too? WHY?
Rosann Spiegel. She was my program director at FGCU and tirelessly advocated for improving the education of SRNAs. I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences I received because of her hard work. I strive to do the same for SRNAs in New Hampshire. - Top 3 bucket lists items?
Travel to all 7 continents, learn another language, and start a family
One piece of advice you’d like to impart to future CRNAs
Take advantage of every learning opportunity available to you.
