September 2015 Issue

From the Director’s Desk

Welcome to another edition of the Anesthesia Circuit! I hope this finds you enjoying the summer with your families, loved ones and significant others.

Though summer is a time of relaxation, Barry University’s Anesthesiology Department never skipped a beat!

In May, we graduated 50 students in the Master’s Class of 2015. We celebrated them at our annual Graduation Dinner Party in Miami, FL. I am proud to say all students passed their NCE exam and have been offered employment.

In July, we graduated 13 students in the DNP Class of 2015. Many of their poster presentations and scholarly papers have been accepted for presentation at national conferences and published in prestigious health publications. We celebrated their accomplishments at the DNP Poster Presentation and Pinning Ceremony in Hollywood, FL. We were honored to have AANA President-Elect Dr. Juan Quintana as the keynote speaker. I look forward to watching our graduates lead our profession forward as they implement new practices and policies through their evidence-based scholarly projects.

I am also proud to announce that Lyda Shambo, DNP, CRNA joined our Anesthesiology faculty in July. Her biography and experience can be viewed on Page ___. We are fortunate to have her expertise.

As we begin the fall semester, we look forward to continuing what we do best: training highly-skilled, competent CRNAs! Thank you for your continued support of our Program. Please continue to keep in touch and update us with your accomplishments!

Sincerely Yours,

Tony Umadhay, PhD, CRNA
Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
Director, Anesthesiology Programs
Barry University College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Congratulations to the DNP Class of 2015!

We are so proud to have such a distinguished DNP graduating class! On Saturday, July 18, 2015, we celebrated their accomplishments at the Hollywood Beach Marriott Hotel in Hollywood, FL. Many graduates have already had their work recognized at national conferences and in prestigious health publications. We look forward to watching them implement their plans and practices to keep our profession progressing.

Alexis Beceiro, DNP, CRNA
Chlorhexidine Prep for Neuraxial
Anesthesia: A New Recommendation

Avonny Bennett-Hankins, DNP, CRNA
Perioperative Education and
Postoperative Pain Management

Yasmine Campbell, DNP, CRNA
Early Detection of Anemia and
Anesthesia Assessment of the Jehovah
Witness Population

Annette Daley, DNP, CRNA
Implementation of a Standardized
Operating Room Surgical Checklist

Christina De Luca, DNP, CRNA
Establishing Uniformity for Reusable
Surgical Scrub Uniforms: A Case for
Evidence-Based Policy

Jesus Del Risco, DNP, CRNA
Should Ultrasound be used for Central
Line Placement?

Gabriel Dietsch, DNP, CRNA
Preoperative Fasting Myths: A Change
in Practice

Sergio Hernandez, DNP, CRNA
Venous Thromboembolism
Prophylaxis in Plastic Surgery: A Change in Practice

Christopher Jorge, DNP, CRNA
Music Therapy for Anxiety before Cataract Surgery: A Change in Practice

Michael Long, DNP, CRNA
Anesthesia-Indicated Gastric Tube Insertion Pathway: Enhancing Patient Safety

Edward Punzalan, DNP, CRNA
Use of Video Laryngoscopy for Airway Management in Office-Based Anesthesia

Ariel Sepulveda , DNP, CRNA
Use of Video Laryngoscopy for Airway Management in Office-Based Anesthesia

Carolina Wilson, DNP, CRNA
The Efficacy of Preoperative Forced Air Warming Techniques Leads to Higher Satisfaction and Temperature

Alumni Corner

Elizandra Pierre, CRNA Class of 2009, featured in AANA Journal for work with Doctors Without Borders

Barry University alumni Elizandra Pierre, CRNA was recently featured in the AANA Journal for her work with Doctors Without Borders, an international association delivering emergency medical aid to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters or exclusion from health care.

In the picture featured, Elizandra is performing a lumbar puncture in the maternity ward while on assignment in Aweil, South Sudan.

We congratulate Elizandra on her work and living the Barry University mission!

Publication Corner:

Lois Krug, DNP, CRNA

Congratulations to Barry University DNP with a Specialization in Anesthesiology alumni, Lois Krug, DNP, CRNA for having her research article entitled, Changing the Endotracheal Tube Taping Practice: An Evidence-Based Practice Project accepted for publication by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Journal.

The purpose of Dr. Krug’s evidence-based quality improvement practice project was to increase the anesthesia provider's knowledge and awareness of the taping practice for securing the endotracheal tube that increases the patient's exposure to pathogens and the risk of nosocomial infections. Dr. Krug was a DNP student at Barry University when this project was implemented. Her scholarly project mentors were Melissa D. Machan, DNP, CRNA and Jose Villalba, MD

Sergio Hernandez, DNP, CRNA

Congratulations to Barry University DNP with a Specialization in Anesthesiology student, Sergio V. Hernandez for having his manuscript entitled, Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Plastic Surgery: A Literature Review, accepted for publication by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Journal.

The purpose of his literature review article was to determine existing venous thromboembolism VTE risk using assessment models available to aid in the implementation of protocols for VTE prevention, specifically for high-risk cosmetic surgery patients in office-based settings. Hernandez’s scholarly project mentors are Jorge Valdes, DNP, CRNA and Moises Salama, MD.

Christina De Luca, DNP, CRNA

Congratulations to Barry University Doctor of Nursing Practice with a Specialization in Anesthesiology student Christina De Luca for having her manuscript titled, Laundering Methods for Reusable Surgical Scrubs: A Literature Review, accepted for publication by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Journal.

The purpose of her literature review article was to determine if facility-laundered surgical scrubs are superior in the prevention of surgical site infections over home-laundering methods, to evaluate the appropriateness and safety of surgical staff laundering scrub uniforms at home, and to provide recommendations for the laundering of reusable surgical scrubs. De Luca's scholarly project mentors are Tony Umadhay, PhD, CRNA and Marquessa Fisher, DNP, CRNA.

Ed Punzalan, DNP, CRNA

Congratulations to Ed Punzalan, Barry University Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a Specialization in Anesthesiology student, for having his abstract titled, "Postoperative Monitoring of the Preterm Infant after Inguinal Hernia Repair" accepted for presentation at the Harvard Medical School / Boston Children’s Hospital Principles of Pediatric Anesthesia and Critical Care conference in Boston, MA.

The poster, part of his DNP Scholarly Project, aims to present recent evidence-based clinical guidance on how long to monitor the former preterm infant postoperatively who returns to hospital for inguinal hernia repair. Punzalan’s Scholarly Project mentors are Tony Umadhay, PhD, CRNA and Ed Czinn, MD.

Yasmine Campbell, DNP, CRNA

Congratulations to Barry University DNP with a Specialization in Anesthesiology student, Yasmine Campbell for having her manuscript titled, The Jehovah's Witness Population: Considerations for Preoperative Optimization of Hemoglobin accepted for publication by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Journal.

The literature review article aimed at determining effective treatment modalities for preoperative optimization of anemia for the Jehovah Witness population. Campbell’s scholarly project mentors are Melissa Machan, DNP, CRNA and Marquessa Fisher, DNP, CRNA.

Going Social

Congratulations to the Master’s Class of 2015!

For the Class of 2015, May was the happiest and most important month of their lives. The textbooks were set down and uniforms taken off for a weekend of fun and celebration! Friday, May 8 held the Graduation Dinner Party at the Biscayne Bay Marriott Hotel in Miami, FL. On Saturday, May 9, the students walked across the stage at Barry University’s Graduation Ceremony in the James L. Knight Center in Miami, FL. We are proud to now call them “colleagues” and see how they will impact our profession.

Program News

Students Provide Health Screenings at Blood Drive in Orlando, FL

Students from the Master’s Class of 2017 assisted at St. Margaret Mary's Blood Drive and Blood Pressure Screening in May of this year as part of the Winter Park Community Outreach Program in Orlando, FL.

Students provided screenings for blood pressure, review of medications and lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise. This event was held in conjunction with One Blood Organization.

Health screenings are becoming highly regarded among health insurances companies. The continued efforts for collaboration among faith communities and universities, such as Barry can leave a lasting impression for those in our communities.

HRSA Grant Awarded to Anesthesiology Programs

Barry University’s Anesthesiology Programs were recently awarded a 55,895 grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the Nurse Anesthesia Traineeship Program.

Under the direction of Dr. Jorge Valdes, DNP, CRNA, the grant will go toward students to assist with tuition, books and other expenses.

Since 2009, the Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship grant has provided anesthesiology students more than $276,000 in scholarship funds.

All grant funds will be used to support programs for full-time students in the master’s or doctoral nurse anesthesia programs at Barry University.

Barry University Anesthesiology Team Welcomes New Full-Time Faculty, Lyda Shambo, DNP, CRNA

Dr. Lyda Shambo is an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at Barry University in the College of Nursing Health Sciences. She began her nursing career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City working on various units as a staff nurse. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and her Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia at the State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences Center. She received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice with a specialization in Anesthesiology at Barry University in the augural class in 2014.

Dr. Shambo’s current research is focused on patient safety particularly in the operative setting. Her article entitled, "Music in the Operating Room: Is it a Safety Hazard?" was published in the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Journal in February 2015.

Dr. Shambo has worked in various clinical settings with most of her experience in tertiary care centers. Her clinical interests include thoracic anesthesia, difficult airway management, and hypotensive anesthesia techniques.

We are honored to welcome Dr. Shambo to our team!

Dr. Tony Umadhay receives the Legacy Award from the Broward Partnership

Dr. Tony Umadhay is a proud recipient of the 2015 Legacy Award from the Broward Partnership for his unwavering commitment to volunteering for the organization and making the Partnership's program participants a part of his life. He has been a Workforce Development Volunteer since 2010 and has given more than 300 hours of service. Dr. Umadhay was recognized during the Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Luncheon held aboard Carnival Cruise's Fun Ship Freedom last April.

Broward Partnership is an organization committed to reducing homelessness by promoting independence and self-worth through advocacy, housing and comprehensive services. For more information visit: http://www.bphi.org.

Sonia Cotto, SRNA, Class of 2016 2015 AANA Mid-Year Assembly: Mentorship Program

It was an honor and privilege to participate in the 2015 Student Mentorship Program at the AANA Mid-Year Assembly in Washington, DC. The Mid-Year Assembly educates CRNAs and SRNAs on advancing CRNA practice through advocacy. We learned the logistics of healthcare policy and our role in the future of affordable healthcare. The Mentorship Program was implemented by the AANA to introduce SRNAs to leaders within our profession and inspire future leaders within the state and national associations. Exposing students to what is possible within our profession motivates future involvement and leadership.

The Program began Sunday evening with a wine and cheese reception to meet other students and leaders within the AANA and state associations. My mentor was Dr. Tony Chipas, who served as Program Director and professor of anesthesia at the Medical University of South Carolina. He is an active leader within the AANA and practices independently as a CRNA. I also met current and former state association presidents, vice presidents, and other student mentees from across the country. It was a wonderful start to the Program.

On Monday morning, I met Dr. Chipas for breakfast where I learned of his transition into academia and leadership. While he never thought of himself as a leader, it was a similar mentorship program early in his career that introduced him to various leadership options. He stated leaders are not born, they are made; they are moved for a cause and able to inspire others in that cause.

I shadowed Dr. Chipas for the rest of the day in meetings with the Board of Directors, discussions on CRNA policy issues and advocacy, and candidate presentations for AANA Elections. Dr. Chipas ran for Vice President, which provided the unique opportunity to learn more about this process. Dr. Chipas made me feel welcome and comfortable at the conference. I have been so inspired by this experience and his wisdom.

On Tuesday, all CRNAs and SRNAs met on Capitol Hill for the first ever AANA rally. During the rally, the AANA President, President-Elect and U.S. representatives motivated us for our day on the Hill. I spent the day with Dr. Jorge Valdes, faculty at Barry University, who encouraged me to meet with lawmakers and advocate for the advancement of our practice. We joined other Florida CRNAs who met with lawmakers to promote the expansion of CRNA practice in Florida. Though I was initially nervous to speak during the meetings, I grew more comfortable throughout the day and contributed my thoughts in two meetings. What a wonderful experience!

I highly recommend the Mid-Year Assembly to any CRNA or SRNA as an opportunity to advocate for our profession and advance our future practice. The mentorship program taught me the importance of each CRNA’s role in our future. I will definitely attend other Mid-Year Assemblies as I represent and promote the future of nurse anesthesia. I am thankful to Dr. Chipas, Dr. Valdes and Barry University for this opportunity.