By Pareasa Rahimi
To address workforce shortages and meet healthcare needs in Alabama and across the nation, the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia Pathway has increased the number of students admitted each year, with the incoming 2025 cohort growing from 55 to 65 students.
“This increase in cohort size addresses significant workforce shortages across the United States, particularly in the South,” said Professor and Associate Dean for Graduate Clinical Education Aimee Holland, DNP, CRNP, WHNP‐BC, FNP‐C, FAANP, FAAN (DNP 2012). “We greatly appreciate the Nurse Anesthesia faculty and staff's commitment to this important work that aligns with our vision of graduating ‘innovative leaders transforming health.’”
Over the course of the pathway, nurse anesthesia students complete a doctoral curriculum consisting of high-level science and advanced nursing courses followed by a rigorous 20-month clinical rotation and residency, where they learn to deliver all forms of anesthesia techniques. Graduates enter the workforce prepared to be leaders in innovation, clinical advancement and new discoveries.
“Our goal is to create confident certified registered nurse anesthetists who provide the highest quality of patient care, thereby representing the school and profession at the highest level in Alabama and across the nation,” said Professor and Nurse Anesthesia DNP Pathway Director Susan McMullan, PhD, CRNA, CNE, CHSE, FAANA, FAAN.
First-time pass rates among students taking the National Certification Examination have steadily improved. The first-time pass rate for the 2024 graduating class of 48 students is 98 percent, surpassing the national average of 83.2 percent. The overall pass rate for 2024 remained 100 percent, the same as 2023.
The School also has the highest-ranked nurse anesthesia pathway in Alabama, ranking No. 29 out of 140 programs nationally by U.S. News & World Report, a steady increase from its last ranking in 2017 as No. 65 out of 120 programs. The pathway is one of only seven programs in the nation programs with full accreditation status by the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists and is No. 6 internationally, with the highest and most prestigious level of recognition from IFNA, highlighting the program’s strengths in academics, clinical experiences and faculty expertise and leadership.
The School and nurse anesthesia faculty are dedicated to ensuring the best possible academic support and wellness resources for students. The pathway recently implemented the WellPro Path, a wellness and professional development plan for incoming students. The plan supports and sets students up for success prior to starting the program and helps ensure all have access to the same resources provided by faculty and current students. Resources range from being academic-focused, including learning and test-taking strategies, to covering areas of wellness and community, involving support groups and a mentorship program between upperclassmen and new students.
“We’ve seen students with the same recurring stressors and have prospective and incoming students ask us what they can do before beginning the program. The nurse anesthesia faculty put together our years of experience and what we’ve observed to create something meaningful to share with students,” said Assistant Professor Katie Woodfin, DNP, CRNA, CHSE (MSN 2014, DNP 2022).
The pathway also is supported by the leadership of faculty, who have contributed to and been recognized within the discipline, including:
- Professor and Nurse Anesthesia DNP Pathway Director Susan McMullan, PhD, CRNA, CNE, CHSE, FAANA, FAAN, is President of the National Board of Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists. She previously served as NBCRNA Vice President and served two terms on the NBCRNA board. She also served as the board liaison to the NBCRNA Evaluation and Research Advisory Committee for more than three years. In 2023, she received the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator Award. In 2022, she was named a Fellow of AANA and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. In 2021, the Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists presented McMullan with the Outstanding Advocacy and Service to the CRNA Profession Award.
- Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of the Nurse Anesthesia Pathway Amy Yerdon, DNP, CRNA, CNE, CHSE, is Director on the board of the Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists. She currently serves as Chair of the Professional Development Committee for the ALANA. Additionally, she serves as an exam item writer for NBCRNA.
- Clinical Assistant Professor Kesha Thurston, DNP, MSHQS, CRNA (BSN 1998, MNA 2006, DNP 2019), received the 2024 Mary Hanna Memorial Journalism Award from the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. She also was recognized in 2023 as a UAB Medicine Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award recipient.
- Associate Professor and PhD Program Director Edwin Aroke, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, has been nationally recognized for his research and scholarship regarding epigenetics and chronic lower back pain. Through a Through a $1.7 million R01 grant, Aroke seeks to fill gaps in knowledge and improve practice. He was named 2021 2021 Researcher of the Year by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Foundation and serves as President of the Association of Cameroonian Nurse Anesthetists in America.
- Associate Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Acute, Chronic and Continuing Care Bryan Wilbanks, PhD, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN (DNP 2012, PhD 2016), is Vice Chair of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Foundation Board of Trustees. As an active member of AANA, he has worked on studies, served as a reviewer for grants and is on the Fellows Selection Committee. In 2021, he joined the AANA Foundation Board and was named an inaugural AANA Fellow.
- Assistant Professor Katie Woodfin, DNP, CRNA, CHSE (MSN 2014, DNP 2022) joined the Nurse Anesthesia faculty in 2015 and now serves as the Simulation Coordinator for the program. Katie teaches didactic courses, develops simulations and helps create wellness initiatives for the students. She was recognized for her innovative simulation efforts, receiving the Dean’s Teaching Award for Innovation in Simulation Instruction in 2022 and 2023. Woodfin also is the 2024 recipient of the Nancy Smith Memorial Award for Excellence in Teaching.
- Assistant Professor Ryan Richey, DNP, CRNA, CHSE (MNA 2005, DNP 2022) joined the Nurse Anesthesia faculty full time in 2018 after several years as a Site Coordinator for the program, during which he was recognized as Clinical Preceptor of the Year. He currently serves as Clinical Coordinator for the program. Richey develops simulations, teaches students in the clinical setting during his faculty practice and helsp create student wellness initiatives. He was recognized for his innovative simulation efforts, receiving the Dean’s Teaching Award for Innovation in Simulation Instruction in 2022 and 2023.
