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The UPMC/University of Pittsburgh Mentoring Partnership was created and developed to support the recruitment of University of Pittsburgh nurse anesthesia students and retention of exceptional UPMC Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). The Mentoring Partnership matches an experienced Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist within the UPMC system with a new first year University of Pittsburgh nurse anesthesia student. This partnership can continue throughout the student’s 28 month nurse anesthesia program. CRNAs receive training in education and mentoring and serve as strong resources/sources of support for the student. Through these mentoring relationships students establish long lasting professional associations, develop support systems while networking, and receive positive feedback from professionals. This program has received tremendous positive response from both students and CRNAs.
The program started officially in the Fall of 2004 with the help of Krista Bragg, CRNA, MSN and was continued by Linda Szymanski, CRNA, MS. As of Fall 2009, Marc Wicker CRNA, MSN, Kristen Wicker CRNA, MSN, Suellen Gallegos CRNA, MSN, and Christine Sarchet CRNA, MSN serve as the Mentoring Coordinators of this program. They join Aaron Ostrowski CRNA, MSN as the faculty advisor and coordinate all of the events associated with the program.
This mentorship program received the AANA Education Committee Crystal Apple Award in February 2005. Read more about it..... http://www.anes.upmc.edu/Archive/News/2005/02/0502_CrystalApple.htm
Photos from the Fall 2009 UPP CRNA Mentor Brunch at the University Club in Pittsburgh.
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