Recipient: Sheena Warner, MS, CRNA, APN; Emory University
Grant Period: 8/11/25 – 12/30/26
Amount: $93,484
Summary: Despite its critical role in maternal safety, obstetric anesthesia lacks a standardized risk stratification framework, limiting providers’ ability to assess and mitigate maternal morbidity and mortality risks. This study aims to develop and validate a machine learning model to identify maternal and anesthesia-specific risk factors for maternal morbidity and mortality events; compare anesthesia providers’ independent risk assessments with ML-derived predictions to evaluate alignment, discrepancies, and decision-making strategies; and design a modular, adaptable wireframe prototype of an obstetric anesthesia risk assessment and stratification tool to establish the foundational infrastructure for future clinical implementation. If successful, this project could help ensure CRNA-led, data-driven maternal safety improvements.
Recipient: Morgan Morrow, DNAP; Midwestern University
Grant Period: 11/14/24 – 12/30/25
Amount: $6,389.92
Summary: Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a skill that CRNAs should possess; however, an optimal educational environment or competency standardization has yet to be established to ensure clinicians are using this assessment properly in practice. This pilot project aims to evaluate if an educational offering increases point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use by Arizona Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologists (CRNAs) and measure attitudes regarding the hybrid educational format. CRNAs in the experimental group will receive hybrid education training including online videos, didactic lectures, and hands-on training. Pre and 6-month post-test surveys will be used, comparing CRNAs that did and did not receive the hybrid educational intervention, to assess impact on POCUS frequency of use in clinical practice and attitudes toward hybrid education. This project has the potential to identify optimal educational strategies for enhancing POCUS skills in CRNAs.
Recipient: Denise Stuit, DNP, CRNA; University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC)- University Health Truman Medical Centers School of Nurse Anesthesia
Grant Period: 3/24/25 – 6/30/26
Amount: $4,640.00
Summary: There are no clear recommendations for training CRNAs who desire to transition from clinical practice into academia. This qualitative study will collect data from focus groups composed of a diverse national sample of CRNA faculty with representation from 141 CRNA programs across the US, guided by concepts in Schlossberg’s Transition Theory. Discussions will focus on reasons for entering and staying in academia, job responsibilities and compensation, and educator experiences, including barriers and facilitators to the transition. Coding with NVivo software will be conducted, extracting concepts and quotes, supporting thematic analysis. The project will elicit perspectives on experience in recruitment and retention of CRNA faculty and create and disseminate a set of best practice guidelines to help facilitate future CRNAs’ transition from clinician to academician.
Recipient: Mary Golinski, PhD, CRNA, FAANA; Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Grant Period: 5/7/25 – 12/30/26
Amount: $73,021.55
Summary: Orthopedic fractures can result in chronic pain; using opioids as the sole method to control acute and chronic pain results in unsatisfactory analgesia and is fraught with adverse events. This project aims to determine the effectiveness of a lidocaine infusion initiated during the perioperative period in decreasing opioid requirements in patients who had surgical repair of lower extremity fractures and to establish if there is a relationship between decreased opioid requirements and the anti-inflammatory properties of lidocaine. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial will examine the difference in opioid consumption between a lidocaine infusion group and control group, 48 hours and 30 days post-operatively, as well as differences in self-report pain levels, objective pain scores, and adverse effects. The relationship between perioperative lidocaine infusion on inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, IL-8, and complement C3a) will be assessed. If the hypotheses are supported, lidocaine could become a viable adjuvant for minimizing opioid consumption and the occurrence of adverse effects, while satisfactorily managing pain.
Recipient: Charles Griffis, PhD, CRNA, FAANA; University of California, Los Angeles
Grant Period: 6/1/25 – 12/30/26
Amount: $109,710
Summary: Residents in nurse anesthesiology training encounter multiple sources of stress. Registered Resident Nurse Anesthetists (RRNAs) report suicidal ideation. Harmful behaviors are common and suicides happen. This project aims to create an online video educational presentation focused on suicide prevention for RRNAs. The educational content will be evaluated and further improved based on pilot assessments. A cross-sectional study with a post-test evaluation will be employed. The educational content will be made available free of cost to all nurse anesthesia educational programs as a component of mandated wellness training. This product will address the lack of suicide prevention training in 50% of existing educational programs of nurse anesthesiology and increase preparedness to intervene with suicide prevention strategies.
Recipient: Deniz Dishman, PhD, DNAP, CRNA; University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Department of Research, Institute for Stroke and Cerebrovascular Disease, Cizik School of Nursing
Grant Period: 2/5/24 – 6/30/26
Amount: $62,667
Summary: A significant percentage of stroke survivors are reported to suffer from post-stroke pain; however, post-stroke pain is often underdiagnosed, inappropriately treated, or untreated altogether due to variability in assessment and reporting methodologies. This study aims to evaluate the usability of multi-parameter technology (NOL index) for pain assessment in awake stroke survivors during non-nociceptive and nociceptive procedures within acute hospitalization and determine the feasibility and acceptability of NOL for pain assessment to support further large-scale studies. This pilot study will use a prospective, observational, cohort design with repeated measures. A first-of-its-kind NOL index device will be trialed in awake stroke survivors during acute hospitalization. Data will be collected from patients admitted to acute stroke care units with assessments completed during a non-nociceptive event and a nociceptive event to provide comparison to baseline. Descriptive and multiple regression analyses will be employed to assess the correlation between the NOL Index and the visual pain rating scale and critical care pain observation tool. Patients will report their experience with procedures using a numeric rating scale for pain and an open-ended question. Qualitative content analysis will code responses and organize responses into themes. This research has the potential to improve care for a population whose pain has been greatly overlooked and improve function, rehabilitation, and quality of life.
Recipient: Michael Agbor, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Association of Cameroonian Nurse Anesthetists
Grant period: 3/24/2025 – 6/30/2026
Amount: $26,000
Summary: This DEI Initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Association of Cameroonian Nurse Anesthetists in America (ACNAA), aims to train diverse CRNAs, especially those of Cameroonian origin, in regional anesthesia to promote a sense of professional identity and increase diversity among CRNAs performing regional techniques. The ACNAA will host a regional workshop at a conference with online didactic modules and hands-on practice with cadavers. Training will be combined with mentorship and skill development with hands-on simulation training, resume support, and ongoing mentorship after the workshop to guide future residents through their application process and journey to nurse anesthesia school. Conference participants will showcase research and clinical projects in DNP presentations, and panel discussions will promote knowledge exchange and professional networking. Training and mentoring a diverse group of CRNAs in regional anesthesia has the potential to advance equity in anesthesia outcomes. Cameroonian nurse anesthetists often serve diverse populations, many of whom face healthcare disparities due to cultural, linguistic, or economic barriers. By equipping these practitioners with advanced skills, the initiative will enhance their ability to deliver high-quality care and position them as leaders in a field that will benefit from broader representation.
* Supported in part by the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)
Recipient: Rhea Temmermand, MSN, CRNA; Drexel University
Grant period: 5/20/25 – 6/30/26
Amount: $11,350
Summary: This DEI initiative, hosted by the Filipino American Nurse Anesthesiology Society (FANAS) and the Philippine Nurses Association Nashville Chapter (PNA-Nashville), aimed to enhance awareness of Asian American nurses’ contributions within the nurse anesthesia community through a documentary screening of “Nurse Unseen” and a Q&A session followed by a networking event with cultural foods and traditional dances. The event provided a platform for networking among diverse nurses, fostering a safe space for learning about the CRNA profession and encouraging membership in FANAS and the AANA. With promotion of diversity and inclusion, attendees were educated about the CRNA profession and opportunities were created for underrepresented groups to engage with the nurse anesthesia community. The success of this initiative was measured by participant feedback, membership in FANAS and the AANA, and diversity awareness within the nurse anesthesia community.
Recipient: Maria Van Pelt, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, FAANA; Northeastern University
Grant period: 6/19-24 – 6/22-25
Amount: $4,945
Summary: Anesthesiology professionals typically begin misusing drugs during anesthesia residency programs with peak incidence for CRNAs occurring one decade post-certification. Heightened awareness, prompt identification, and evidence-based interventions are crucial for provider and patient safety. This national descriptive comparative study employed pre-post survey methodology. Participants were recruited from accredited programs and exposed to an educational intervention via virtual platform. Pre-post surveys collected data on demographics, perception, knowledge, experience, and reporting likelihood. Participants from 32 randomly selected nurse anesthesia programs were matched for analysis. Results showed significant change in perception of substance misuse as a disease after intervention. Knowledge of safety steps for impaired professionals increased, understanding of high substance misuse risk improved, confidence in identifying symptoms increased, and likelihood of reporting suspected use increased significantly. The results strongly support that this educational intervention improved knowledge, perception, and reporting likelihood regarding substance misuse among anesthesiology professionals. This national study provides a model for anesthesia programs nationwide. Including both RRNAs and their support systems creates a prevention network that improves early identification and intervention, potentially saving lives through increased awareness and willingness to report.
* Supported by the Art Zwerling fund
Recipient: Julia Hedge, BSN, RN; The University of South Florida
Grant period: 2025
Amount: $1,703.45
Summary: Imposter syndrome (IS) is a prevalent issue among Resident Registered Nurse Anesthetists (RRNAs), characterized by persistent self-doubt and fear of inadequacy despite clear success. These feelings contribute to heightened anxiety, burnout, and impaired academic and clinical performance. Resilience, the capacity to adapt to stress, is critical for overcoming these challenges. Evidence suggests mindfulness interventions enhance resilience and reduce IS, promoting mental well-being. This quality improvement (QI) project leverages the Headspace™ app to implement and evaluate a mindfulness-based program to reduce IS, foster resilience, and mitigate burnout among RRNAs at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Nursing. Baseline levels of imposter phenomenon (IP), resilience, burnout, stress, and anxiety will be assessed. Surveys will be administered before and after a 30-day mindfulness intervention delivered through the Headspace™ app to RRNAs. This quantitative design aims to assess the impact of mindfulness on IS, resilience, and mental well-being, using validated tools for robust pre- and post-intervention analysis.
* Supported by the Dean Hayden fund
Recipient: Daniel Jaworowski, BSN, RN; Albany Medical College Center for Nurse Anesthesia
Grant period: 2024
Amount: $3,205 Summary: The use of illicit substances is increasing in prevalence among anesthesia providers. High levels of work-related stress and access to addictive substances predispose addiction as a growing threat to these health practitioners. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of substance use disorder among RRNAs and CRNAs and explore the association between stress levels and substance abuse in a cross-sectional, observational study. A survey will be conducted of RRNAs and CRNAs including assessment with the PSS-10 and DAST-10. Multiple regression analysis will assess how factors such as age, gender, and years of experience practicing anesthesia may affect stress and substance use. Employing a comprehensive analysis with validated measurement tools will provide valuable insight into stress and substance use in this population, providing a foundation for future research and addressing a major occupational hazard to nurse anesthesia providers.
Recipient: Christina Congdon, MS, MPhil, CRNA; The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
Grant period: 6/19-24 – 12/30/25
Amount: $6,495
Summary: Rates of burnout among CRNAs are alarmingly high, leading to adverse outcomes such as decreased job satisfaction and increased intention to leave a position. Rural hospitals face significant hardships; use of care models that promote utilization of the CRNA workforce for provision of anesthesia services is vital to reducing health disparities. There is a gap in knowledge regarding the factors of the organizational climate in rural settings that contribute to CRNA burnout, job dissatisfaction, and intention to leave. This mixed-methods study will determine, from the perspective of CRNAs, the impact of organizational climate on burnout, job satisfaction, and intention to leave among CRNAs in rural settings. CRNAs in rural settings will be surveyed across California, New York, and Texas and multivariate models will examine whether organizational climate is predictive of burnout, job satisfaction, and intention to leave. Phenomenological methods will be employed to interview CRNAs in rural settings experiencing low and high burnout to better understand associations. Content analysis will identify meaning. Evidence generated from this project will inform workforce policy and identify targeted organizational interventions to be tested in subsequent studies aimed at reducing CRNA burnout and turnover. Optimized organizational climate and workforce policy may ensure the ample CRNA supply needed to meet the demand for high-quality anesthesia care for rural populations.