In 1947, a certificate program in nurse anesthesia was founded at Harris Hospital, and in 1982, the Harris Hospital School of Anesthesia affiliated with Texas Wesleyan College.

At the time, Texas Wesleyan awarded a Master of Health Science to students completing Phase I in the Harris Hospital Methodist Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia.

In 1986, Texas Wesleyan College assumed control of the Nurse Anesthesia Program, and Harris Methodist Fort Worth was the first primary clinical site. St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Wichita, Kan., became the second primary clinical site in 1989.

There are currently 25 primary clinical sites in 11 states.

Today, the mission of the Graduate Programs of Nurse Anesthesia is to teach and contribute to the science and art of anesthesia at the master’s and doctoral level by placing strong emphasis on academics for all students and rigorous clinical training for RNs who are preparing to become CRNAs.

Student not only graduate with a strong working knowledge of the healthcare environment, they're also known as highly qualified anesthesia providers.