CRNA News

Laura received the Daniel D. Vigness Federal Political Director Award at the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Mid-Year Assembly in Washington, D.C. on April 2-6, 2022, and Danielle received the 2022 Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists CRNA of the Year Award on Saturday, April 30, 2022 in Hershey, PA.

Congratulations to the faculty and CRNAs who were selected as recipients of our department’s Chair’s Excellence Award. These individuals are recognized by our Chair Dr. Aman Mahajan and department leaders for going above and beyond in their service to our patients and department.

Michael W. Neft, DNP, MHA, CRNA, FNAP, FAANA, FAAN, earned his second doctoral degree - a PhD in Nursing from Duquesne University.

Clinicians at the UPMC-Magee-Womens Hospital Center for Reproduction and Tissue Transplantation, a multidisciplinary, national leader in cutting-edge fertility treatments, performed their first anesthesia procedure on February 11 for a testicular sperm extraction.

On February 5th, Rachel Bekavac, MSN, CRNA, and Rama Joshi, MBBS, MPM, provided anesthesia services with a select group of cardiac surgery specialists in a virtual transcatheter aortic valve implantation symposium co-hosted by UPMC and Cardiovascular Research Technologies.

The award recognizes staff members who go above and beyond their job duties, maintain a high office morale, and actively display UPMC’s values.

ACES honors the most outstanding employees within UPMC - staff who exemplify UPMC’s five core values — Quality & Safety, Dignity & Respect, Caring & Listening, Responsibility & Integrity, and Excellence & Innovation. Each year, fewer than one percent of UPMC staff from across the health system receive this great honor.  

With help and support from their hospital leadership and staff, a group of benevolent CRNAs from UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh organized a donation drive to help the displaced citizens of Ukraine. 

Danielle M. Meholic, DNAP, CRNA, has been selected to receive the 2022 Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists CRNA of the Year Award.

The award is given annually in recognition of significant contributions to the advancement of the national healthcare agenda of certified registered nurse anesthetists.