PA State Rep, Erie City Mayor participate in CRNA Week

Harkins, Schember observe SRNAs in action

Celebrating CRNA Week is an annual tradition enjoyed by the faculty, students and staff of the UPMC Hamot Anesthesia Department and the School of Anesthesia. But this year, during the weeklong celebration held January 20 to 24, new School of Anesthesia director Dr. Rachel Wolfe added an element of excitement by inviting VIPs to observe during a special day of this event.

Pennsylvania State Representative Patrick Harkins and City of Erie Mayor Joseph Schember joined the faculty and students of the UPMC Hamot School of Anesthesia during a simulation lab to not only observe but to try some of the hands-on activities themselves. Under the guidance of Dr. Wolfe, Mayor Schember and Rep. Harkins participated in activities such as IV placement, arterial line placement, and fiberoptic intubations, while various students from the Classes of 2024, 2025 and 2026 provided both instruction and humor.

Students involved in the simulation lab included Class of 2025’s Pamela Brown, Mark Erickson, and Naudya Yanno; Class of 2026’s Lacey Rovnak, Calvin Gilbert, and Vanessa Stenulis; and Class of 2027’s Joshua Miller and Brian Doyle.

By inviting Mr. Harkins and Mr. Schember, Dr. Wolfe was making an effort to educate the community and the public on the work and function of CRNAs. Hand in hand with that goal, she's putting the name of the UPMC Hamot School of Anesthesia in the public eye to bring additional visibility and focus to the school.

Rep. Harkins poses with SRNAs and the school director after successfully learning CRNAs roles and responsibilities through a Simulation Lab at the UPMC Hamot School of Anesthesia during CRNA Week, January 20-24.

Pictured Above From left to right, Pamela Brown, Class of 2025; Brian Doyle, Class of 2027; Calvin Gilbert, Class of 2026; Lacey Rovnak, Class of 2026; Joshua Miller, Class of 2027; Rep. Harkins; Vanessa Stenulis, Class of 2026, Director Wolfe; and Naudya Yanno, Class of 2025.

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Pictured Above: PA State Representative Pat Harkins, successfully performs a fiberoptic intubation while Mark Erickson, Class of 2025, guides and instructs him during a Simulation Lab demonstration during CRNA Week 2025.

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The mayor and state representative were invited to participate in an effort to educate members of the public on the work of CRNAs in the community.

Pictured Above: Mayor Joe Schember, starts an IV under the tutelage of SRNA Naudya Yanno, Class of 2025, during a Simulation Lab demonstration during CRNA Week 2025. Two members of the newest class, the Class of 2027, observe in the background — Brian Doyle and Joshua Miller.

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Pictured Below: The SRNAs who spent their the time demonstrating and assisting in many hands-on activities included (from left to right) Pamela Brown, Class of 2025; Lacey Rovnak, Class of 2026; Mark Erickson, Class of 2025; Vanessa Stenulis, Class of 2026; and Naudya Yanno, Class of 2025.

(Above) Following a successful day of demonstrating what CRNAs’ roles are in the hospital environment during CRNA Week 2025, Joe Schember, Mayor of Erie, (center), poses with Rachel Wolfe, (far right), the director of the School of Anesthesia.

Who’s Who? PANA President Debra Minzola, That’s Who!

Debra Minzola, Ph.D., CRNA, recently was named to the Marquis Who's Who list for her work as program director of the Geisinger/Commonwealth University Nurse Anesthesia Program. The list features professionals doing outstanding work in their professions.

Minzola gained attention after being featured in a university-wide Commonwealth University news article, “A Professional Pipeline: Geisinger/Commonwealth Nurse Anesthesia Program Provides Vital Professionals,” Aug. 1, 2023, that spotlighted the 36-month anesthesia program that attracts students from as far away as California, Oregon, and Arizona. The class only accepts 15 students who graduate with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Commonwealth University nurse anesthesia graduates have earned a compelling reputation in the industry, with the Class of 2022 earning a 100% pass rate in the National Certification Exam (NCE), while the average pass rate was 82%.

The program – which was affiliated with Bloomsburg University before its merger with two other state-affiliated schools, Lock Haven and Mansfield, to form Commonwealth University – is headquartered at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

“Approximately 60% of our graduates are staying with the Geisinger System,” Minzola said. “That says a lot about the good relationship between the university and the clinical site. It makes it a more positive learning experience, and they want to stay here. Our recruitment has been phenomenal for Geisinger.”

Photo courtesy of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine

If Minzola’s name sounds familiar, that is because she recently was installed as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA), which represents approximately 4,000 CRNAs and students statewide.

She recently helped the statewide association mark national CRNA Week in Pa. in January. You can check out her message to members HERE, where she celebrate all the innovative CRNAs and nurse anesthesia residents who provide exceptional care to their patients during their most vulnerable moments.

Camilo Rubio: From Colombia to Chief CRNA and Global Mission Advocate

Camilo Rubio, DNP, CRNA, is the Chief CRNA at the VA hospital in Pittsburgh. Born and raised in Colombia, Camilo's story of becoming a CRNA and his commitment to healthcare and mission work is impressive. Camilo has worked as a flight nurse and has completed mission trips in Nicaragua, Colombia and Guatemala providing anesthesia in those underserved countries.  

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HAPPY NATIONAL #CRNAWEEK!