Aug. 25, 2021

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MILWAUKEE — The first cohort of advanced practice registered nurses have graduated from the Doctor of Nurse Practice (DNP) with a specialization in Nurse Anesthesia Program in the College of Nursing at Marquette University.

Ten students graduated from Marquette’s DNP Nurse Anesthesia Educational Program on Aug. 22, marking the program’s inaugural graduating class.

Marquette announced the addition of the three-year program in 2017, with the first group of students beginning the coursework in 2018. The program is one of only three of its kind in Wisconsin. It aims at ensuring graduate advanced practice registered nursing students are equipped in a variety of regional and general anesthesia techniques for every setting in which anesthesia is delivered to patients.

The graduates were selected for the competitive program out of more than 100 qualified applicants. They spent their classroom time on campus and in clinical rotations with Medical College of Wisconsin physicians and nursing practitioners, as well as regional clinical sites including Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, and a number of other partnering health care facilities.

All the graduates have accepted employment and 70% will stay in Wisconsin. Graduates have accepted positions with Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Children’s Wisconsin, Ascension and Advocate Aurora Health systems.  

Dr. Lisa J. Thiemann, director of the nurse anesthesia program, said she is proud of the graduates for their dedication and hard work in taking on a new challenge to further their passion for and knowledge of advanced practice nursing. 

“This first cohort of graduates could not be more impressive, and I applaud them for their accomplishments, as well as our faculty for a successful first round of this intensive three-year program,” Thiemann said. “These graduates are expert clinician leaders who understand the complexities of evidence-based health care, including patient safety, advanced diagnostics and treatments, information technology, business management, and health care finance. They will be truly valuable assets to the field of advanced practice nursing.”

Dr. Janet Wessel Krejci, dean of the College of Nursing, said seeing the group graduate is a testament to the commitment of the students in their profession and the college’s drive to meet the needs of the industry.

“This program came about following discussions with local health care leaders who expressed a need for more advanced practice nurses with an anesthesia focus,” Krejci said. “Providing patients a comfortable and pain-free experience during one of the most critical times in their health care experience is crucial and I am elated to say that our graduates will be the ones to help these patients and contribute to better health care outcomes. This really is a historic moment.”

Several of the graduates were recognized with various awards.

Samia Ahmed Yahia Campbell was selected by program faculty and staff for the John F. Garde Professionalism Award — a nurse anesthesia program-level award for commitment to advancing the specialty.

Lauren Brown was selected by program and clinical faculty for the Agatha Hodgins Memorial Award — a program-level award for outstanding academic and clinical performance.

Geoffrey T. Bowman received the College of Nursing Sr. Berenice Award in May during regular Commencement ceremonies and was also recognized during the DNP nurse anesthesia educational program graduation. Bowman was selected by nursing faculty for the award which recognizes the recipient’s outstanding academic and clinical performance and embodiment of the university’s mission and values.

*The featured photo was taken outdoors following Marquette University Commencement ceremonies in May.

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About Shelby Williamson

Shelby is a senior communication specialist in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Shelby at (414) 288-6712 or shelby.williamson@marquette.edu