Jodie Szlachta of Havertown, Delaware County, on Tuesday received unanimous confirmation by the state Senate to serve at least one three-year term on Gov. Tom Wolf’s Health Policy Board, an advisory panel that helps to shape health policy in the commonwealth. The governor nominated Szlachta in January.
“This is an incredible honor,” said Szlachta, Ph.D., a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and program director at the Crozer Chester Medical Center/Villanova University Nurse Anesthesia Program, one of Pennsylvania’s 13 highly competitive nurse anesthesia programs in the state, making the commonwealth a leader in nurse anesthesia education and training.
“More people are beginning to recognize the vital role nurse anesthetists and all advanced practice nurses play in a variety of health-care settings across the commonwealth,” she said. “This post ensures that advanced practice nurses have a seat at the table to provide valuable input to the development of health care policy in Pennsylvania.
“I’m very grateful to the governor for his appointment and to all the Senators who gave me their vote of confidence,” Szlachta said. “I look forward to serving on the Health Policy Board on behalf of my profession and the patients we serve.”
Szlachta previously served as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists, where she remains an active member of the board. PANA represents more than 3,700 CRNAs and students across the state.
You can read the full press release, here.