Brandon Perrotte's Leadership Journey as Student Chair of PANA's GRC

As a nurse anesthesia resident from The University of Scranton, Brandon Perrotte is conjuring change as the Student Chair of PANA's Government Relations Committee (GRC).  We all know Brandon's amazing commitment to our state and profession since he started his program more than two years ago. In June 2025 he's coordinating a larger version of the simulation lab where invited legislators and their staff received a first-hand look at what CRNAs are training to do. What's his motivation? 

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Lawmakers, staff experience “day in the life” of nurse anesthesia residents

Seeing is believing --- and several northeastern Pennsylvania lawmakers and staff got a firsthand look at just a few of the intensive education and training programs that students must master to become certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).

Aaron J. Crowell, BSN, RN, SRNA, a nurse anesthesia resident at the University of Scranton School of Nurse Anesthesia, initially reached out to invite state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne) to visit and check out the university’s simulation labs.

🏫 But, as the senior student leader on the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ (PANA) Government Relations Committee, Crowell realized he had a golden opportunity to help inform key decision-makers in Harrisburg. So, he expanded the invitation to cover all lawmakers in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.

🩺On Sept. 5, a contingent of legislators and staff visited the campus for a “day in the life” tour of the university’s anesthesia simulation lab and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) labs.

Besides Pashinksi, other attending lawmakers included state Reps. Jim Haddock (D-Luzerne) and Kyle J. Mullins (D-Lackawanna) and state Sen. Marty Flynn (D-Luzerne & Lackawanna), and staffers from the offices of state Reps. Bridget M. Kosierowski (D-Lackawanna) and Kyle Donahue (D-Lackawanna) and state Sen. Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne & Wyoming).

As sought-after anesthesia care providers, CRNAs are highly educated and expertly trained with years of education and experience before entering into practice. Nurse anesthetists obtain an average of 9,369 clinical hours of training prior to becoming a CRNA. They are required to be nationally certified and must be recertified every four years. Recertification includes meeting advanced practice requirements and obtaining a minimum of 100 continuing education credits.

Of course, it’s one thing to talk about education and training. It’s another thing altogether to see it and experience it firsthand.

Crowell and other nurse anesthesia residents, including Brandon Perrotte, Nelson Ramos, and Meghan Visalli, used the simulation lab as a tool to demonstrate how extensive CRNA training is and what skills nurse anesthetists demonstrate so expertly in the operating room.

Shadowing these nurse anesthesia residents ensured lawmakers saw up close and personal the skills that CRNAs possess to keep patients safe --- an invaluable experience they will take back to the state capital in Harrisburg to help inform their decisions about important health-care initiatives, especially those related to CRNAs.

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Featuring SRNA Samantha Lina Valle, BSN, RN

Samantha Lina Valle, BSN, RN

Samantha Lina Valle, BSN, RN, is a Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist (SRNA) at the University of Scranton School of Nurse Anesthesia. The life of a SRNA is a busy one. Between classroom work and clinical hours, the motto holds true: “Your days are long, and the weeks are short.”

⏰ Despite hectic schedules, SRNAs in Pennsylvania are eager to push the profession forward. When given the opportunity to share an inspiring message during National Hispanic Heritage Month, this is what Samantha had to say:

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the many contributions and extensive history of the American Latino community. It exemplifies our influence, our achievements, and the role we play on American growth and success."

"To be an SRNA of Hispanic origin means I can now be a representation of what it means to overcome social and academic boundaries. Throughout my early educational years, there were times I encountered academic difficulties. Whether it was due to limited comprehension or processing, not once did I give up. Now, as I continue my journey in gaining the knowledge of anesthesia, I would like to inspire others to build the courage to pursue their dreams! I would like to remind others that failure is only failure if you do not get up and try again.”

🩺💙 For additional #HispanicCRNA stories in our #HispanicHeritageMonth blog series, click here.

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