Welcome Alumni to the first edition of the Graduate Programs of Nurse Anesthesia (GPNA) newsletter. We are so excited to be able to keep up with what all of you are doing and for you to keep us with us!

In this edition, you will hear about two new projects for our department. The first, a $2 million dollar, total overhaul of the simulation center adding a third “OR” and even higher-tech equipment; and secondly, a new student-centered support program called Graduate Adaptation Support (GAS) designed by students and implemented by students. In the future, we plan on featuring alumni, clinical sites, and other exciting events occurring in and around GPNA.

Fall 2020 leads us to a pivotal point in our history. While we welcomed our 2^nd Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia class (DNAP), we make plans for the final MSNA class to graduate from Texas Wesleyan in December. Over 30 years of graduates are grateful for the commitment made by Texas Wesleyan when a diploma program was transitioned from Harris Hospital in the 1980s. We now look forward to the challenge of educating doctoral prepared nurse anesthetists to meet the future’s health care needs.

There are plenty of “old” faces around GPNA but some new ones also. We welcome Dr. Craig Atkins from Colorado. Following a military career, Dr. Atkins has been chiefly involved in CRNA only practices, rural healthcare, and anesthesia-related politics. Dr. Brian Cornelius joins us from a clinical practice in Shreveport, Louisiana with teaching experience at the University of Alabama and at Midwestern University.  Dr. Cornelius has widely presented and published on topics related to prehospital/trauma care. Stop by if you are in the neighborhood…they would love to meet you!

Wherever you are, we hope you are well and happy.  We would love to hear about your successes and maybe even feature you in a future edition. Thanks for all you do!  Terri