AANA Honors Education Excellence in Nurse Anesthesiology: Clinical Instructor of the Year Award Presented to Susan Newell

Rosemont, Ill. – The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) will present Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Susan Newell, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, with the Clinical Instructor of the Year Award during its top educator event, the 2026 EDGE Conference, February 4-7, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Established in 1991, the Clinical Instructor of the Year Award honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the clinical education of Registered Resident Nurse Anesthetists (RRNAs), also known as student registered nurse anesthetists. The award recognizes the individual’s commitment to the profession of nurse anesthesiology and to the advancement of educational standards that further the art and science of anesthesiology and result in high-quality patient care.

Newell serves as an assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing in Cincinnati, Ohio, and as a clinical instructor in Scranton, PA for the University of Scranton.  Her clinical focus is in obstetric anesthesia. Her teaching spans the full online Doctor of Nursing Practice curriculum, with emphasis on evidence-based practice, leadership, quality improvement, and healthcare policy.

According to one of her students, “Newell embodies excellence in clinical teaching and mentorship. She explains the ‘why’ behind every decision, encourages critical thinking, and supports her students as we develop our own clinical judgment.”

Newell is known for her dedication to lifelong learning. She pioneered the first obstetric anesthesia rotation at the University of Scranton, developing evidence-based required learning materials to guide residents and ensuring a consistent and universal experience for every student who rotates through. She instills in her students the importance of every CRNA knowing not only how to provide comprehensive obstetric anesthesia but also how to function fully independently.

One of her students observed, “Dr. Newell’s excellence is not only in her clinical ability, but also in her ability to meet patients where they are, connect with them personally, and make them feel safe and understood.”

According to a colleague, “She is raising the standard for what residents should expect from a clinical instructor. Her excellence as a teacher, innovator, mentor, and leader has touched not only her students, but also her colleagues and the future of our profession.”

A 2022 Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FAANA), Newell served as a director on the AANA Board of Directors and as president of the Society of Obstetric Nurse Anesthesiology and Research (SONAR). Her scholarship focuses on CRNA-led obstetric care models, maternal health, and interdisciplinary wellness.

Newell’s honors and recognitions include the 2023 AANA Alice McGaw Outstanding Clinical Practitioner Award, the 2024 Advocacy Award from Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA), and the 2023 Elizabeth Kemble Award for Excellence in Nursing from University of Cincinnati.

Newell received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio and her Master of Health Science in Nursing degree from Akron University in Akron, Ohio. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Walsh University in North Canton, Ohio. She earned her Associate of Science degree from the University of St. Catherine and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota, both in Minneapolis.

To learn more about AANA Member Recognition awards, visit https://www.aana.com/membership/recognition/aana-awards/.