Each year, National CRNA Week recognizes certified registered nurse anesthetists and the invaluable service they provide to patients. The UNMC Department of Anesthesiology is celebrating the more than 60 certified registered nurse anesthetists during National CRNA Week and recognizing the dedication of Melissa Smith, Ann Donnelly-Haasch, and Jolynn Carlson, the associate directors of nurse anesthesia at Fritch Surgery Center, Village Pointe Health Center and Bellevue Medical Center.
Melissa Smith, CRNA, associate director of nurse anesthesia at Fritch Surgery Center, said she was working in intensive care units in Denver, Colorado, before moving to back Omaha – a move precipitated by a desire to challenge herself more. Smith worked as a traveling nurse in interventional radiology and transitioned to a trauma ICU staff nurse before attending anesthesia school at Clarkson College in 2011. After graduating in 2015, she joined Nebraska Medicine, where she serves as associate director of nurse anesthesia at Fritch Surgery Center and chair of the Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist Education Committee.
Ann Donnelly-Haasch, CRNA, has been with Nebraska Medicine since 1999. She said she has seen much change and growth over the past 25 years. Having been involved in many departmental and clinical committees over the years, most notably the interview committee, the clinical practice committee and as clinical coordinator for the student registered nurse anesthetists education committee, she now serves as the associate director of nurse anesthetists at Village Pointe Health Center.
Jolynn Carlson, CRNA, is the associate director of nurse anesthesia at Bellevue Medical Center. She started her nursing career at Nebraska Medicine in 2001. She earned her BSN at Clarkson College and worked at other institutions following nurse anesthetist school and before returning to Nebraska Medicine in 2015 as a CRNA.
Smith said after nine years, she appreciates the camaraderie and supportive culture as well as the challenge and mental stimulation of working at Nebraska Medicine. “I love the acuity of the patients at Nebraska Medicine – my day is never the same and there’s always something new to learn,” she said. “My colleagues also motivate me, it’s such a supportive culture. We can ask for help from each other and have difficult conversations without fear.”
Donnelly-Haasch said she has been proud to represent Nebraska Medicine and UNMC as a CRNA. “When I go to meetings or travel, UNMC/Nebraska Medicine is recognized as a large world-class institution,” she said. “I also have been very proud of our leadership within the CRNA group and the CRNAs that support each other in our careers.”
Donnelly-Haasch also said she appreciates the support from the hospital and department administration, in particular the outreach education in defining what a CRNA is and their role in patient care. “I’m really proud to work somewhere that listens to what we have to say,” she said.
Carlson said that in addition to the satisfaction of taking care of patients and providing comfort and reassurance, it’s rewarding to work with her team at Bellevue Medical Center. “We have a great group of people, and it’s fun coming to work,” she said. “It’s a small group, so everyone gets to know each other, and there’s a real feeling of community.”
As associate director, Smith’s responsibilities include administrative oversight, such as scheduling, perioperative planning and coordination of procedure suites in addition to her clinical duties.
“I’m proud of the level of efficiency at Fritch – surgeons want to come here,” Smith said. “Because it’s an outpatient center, we offer more personalized care in a wide range of services. We do ENT, plastic surgery, dental, ortho, a little bit of everything.”
Donnelly-Haasch said one of the benefits of being associate director is that she is able to build rapport with the surgeons and other team members at Village Pointe. “As a provider, it’s really nice to know your surgeon and what they like they also get to know you and trust you,” she said. “If a critical incident or emergency happens, we’re a small team, and we can all trust we know what to do.”
In addition to her clinical work and administrative duties, Carlson said her duties include personnel management, serving as a liaison between department leadership, and supporting hospital efficiency. “I’m here to advocate for my crew and foster a positive, happy environment,” she said.
Carlson said one of the main differences at Bellevue Medical Center is there is a greater amount of variability in procedures and schedules during each shift because it is a full-functioning hospital.
“We don’t have a set schedule throughout the day. We’ll have patients from the emergency room, or we are called to different places throughout the hospital to respond to codes, place lines, IVs, or intubations,” said Carlson. “We are asked to consult more here than compared to some of the outpatient surgery centers where it’s just not necessary.”
Although their missions and clinical practice may differ, Smith, Donnelly-Haasch and Carlson share a common drive to constantly improve professionally and to make a difference in the lives of those they serve.
Tiffany Olson, division chief of nurse anesthesia, said having a well-rounded leadership team is essential to the department thriving and Carlson, Donnelly-Haasch and Smith are outstanding leaders who excel at collaboration within their teams and with the nurses and surgeons.
“The Assistant Director CRNA positions at all of these sites have varied duties specific to their location but what unites them is their exceptional work as leaders,” Olson said. “They know their sites well and truly can handle almost every issue that comes their way. They are also leaders in improving patient care and ensuring patient safety. We truly appreciate all the work that they do and are blessed to have them serving in these roles. Thank you Jolynn, Ann, and Melissa!”