CRNA of the Year

The PANA CRNA of the Year (previously CRNA Clinician of the Year) award is presented to a certified registered nurse anesthetist that practices in the state of Pennsylvania and demonstrates the core values of advocacy, leadership and integrity. The award recognizes the CRNA’s commitment to the profession of nurse anesthesia by the safe and evidence based delivery of anesthesia practice.

Previous Award Recipients

2012 John Giglio, CRNA

2013 Brian Berry, MS, BSN, CRNA 

2014 Linda Crippen, CRNA, MSN

2014 Leslee DiNunzio, CRNA 

2015 Darlene Homa, MEd, CRNA

2015 Ann Culp, DNP, CRNA

2017 Diana Davidson, CRNA

2018 Pam Wrobleski, DNAP, MPM, RN, CASC, CRNA

2019 Diane Crosby, CRNA

2020 George Dugan, CRNA

2021 John Jones, DNP, CRNA

2022 Danielle Meholic, DNAP, CRNA

2023 Lisa Deppen, CRNA

2024 Nicole Nowe, MSN, CRNA

Clinical Instructor of the Year 

The PANA Clinical Instructor of the Year award is presented to a clinical instructor that provides instruction to nurse anesthesia students in a Pennsylvania nurse anesthesia program. The award recognizes the instructor’s commitment to the education of nurse anesthesia students to advance the art and science of anesthesia.

Previous Award Recipients

2012 Dale Fleck, MSN, CRNA

2013 Michael S. Lord, MSN, CCRN-CMS-CSC, CRNA

2014 Laura Kridler, MSN, CRNA

2015 Arthur J. Zwerling, DNP, MSN, MS, DAAPM, CRNA

2016 Cynthia Betron, DNP, CNE, CHSE, CRNA

2017 Diane Hackman, CRNA

2018 Nancy Dines, MSN, RN, CRNA

2019  Donald Larmon, DNP, CRNA

2020  Maria Sabia McGraw, CRNA

2021  Jennifer Fleegle-Vitsas, MSN, CRNA

2022 Daniel Ohl, CRNA

2023 Julie Tidmore, MSN, CRNA

2024 Clarice Johns, DNP, CRNA

Didactic Instructor of the Year  

The PANA Didactic Instructor of the Year award is presented to a didactic instructor that provides instruction to nurse anesthesia students in a Pennsylvania nurse anesthesia program. The award recognizes the instructor’s commitment to the education of nurse anesthesia students to advance the art and science of anesthesia.

Previous Award Recipients

2013 Michael DeBroeck, DNP, MHS, CRNA

2014 Thomas Kelly, MSNA, CRNA

2015 Aric Bunch, MSN, CRNA

2016 Suzanne Morrison, DNP, MSN, CRNA

2017 Susan Elczyna, PhD, CRNA

2018 Carlene McLaughlin, PhD, CRNA 

2019 Debra Minzola, PhD, CRNA

2020 Ann Culp, DNP, CRNA

2021 Amy Reed, PhD, CRNA

2022 Laura Miner, PhD, CRNA

2023 Michael Debroeck, DNP, CRNA

2024 Tracy Murray, Esq., CRNP, CRNA

Advocate of the Year 

The PANA Advocate of the Year award is presented to an individual who exemplifies the use of advocacy or grassroots efforts to advance the profession of nurse anesthesia.  This accomplishment can be done through legislative, regulatory, legal work, or as a special project or service to the profession.  This award was started in 2021.

Previous Award Recipients

2021 Derek Reckard, MSN, CRNA

2022 Jodie Szlachta, PhD, CRNA

2024 Diane Boettger, CRNA

Student of the Year  

The PANA Student of the Year award is presented to a senior nurse anesthesia student from a Pennsylvania nurse anesthesia program. The award recognizes the student’s commitment to the profession of nurse anesthesia to advance the art and science of anesthesia.

Previous Award Recipients

2012 Samantha Baldwin, SRNA

2013 Lucian Alex Dumitru, SRNA 

2014 Emily Decker, SRNA

2015 Heather Meister, SRNA

2016 Carrilee Powell, SRNA

2017 Christine Novak, SRNA

2018 Chelsea Runkle, SRNA

2019 Trevor Swedeen, SRNA

2020 Amanda Beckstead, SRNA

2021 Andrew DeMaio, SRNA

2022 Jorge Alvarez, SRNA

2023 Hydie Pomey, SRNA

2024 Aaron Crowell, SRNA

Educator of the Year

The PANA Educator of the Year award is presented to a nurse anesthesia program faculty member who demonstrates a commitment to the education of nurse anesthesia students through the promotion of the art and science of anesthesia.

Previous Award Recipients

*2012 Dr. Beverly Silvis

*2013 Richard Haas, Ph.D, MS, Ed. M, BSN, CRNA

*2015 Russell Lynn, MSN, CRNA

*2017 Jodie Szlachta, Ph.D, MSN, CRNA

2018 Deborah Davison, MS, CRNA

2019 Michael DeBroeck, DNP, CRNA

2020 Erica Elliott, DMPNA, CRNA

**Discontinued in 2021