Anesthetists Unite!

Written by: Kate Snyder, Executive Assistant

You may not be aware, but the week of January 20-25 isn’t just any old week. No, it is National Nurse Anesthetists Week. To be perfectly honest, I had never actually heard of a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) until today, but now my horizons have been broadened and I’ve officially learned my “something new” for the day.

What brought about this enlightenment? Why, the presence of more than 20 fabulous CRNAs who have been volunteering in our Hunger Programs this week as part of National Nurse Anesthetists Week.

CRNAs and students in CRNA programs across the country are participating in a variety of local community service projects as a way of celebrating the national recognition week and giving back to their communities. The University of Pittsburgh has a Nurse Anesthetists program and students in this program, as well as nurses in the city, have been donating their time to us.

Our CRNA crew has been coming every day this week in teams of about 5, arriving at 9am and staying through early afternoon. They’ve been a blessing during a busy week, cheerfully performing any and all assigned tasks and generally bringing enthusiasm and good humor with them. They also brought grocery donations to our Food Pantry and collected financial contributions from Pitt faculty, friends, and other students and nurses who were unable to come with.

Many thanks – you guys were great!