Congratulations to Richard A. Henker, PhD, RN, CRNA, FAAN, a CRNA at UPMC Presbyterian and Professor of Nurse Anesthesia in the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, who will be given the 2016-17 Sheth Distinguished Faculty Award for International Achievement in recognition of his academic and professional contributions to furthering international education in nursing. Awarded by the University Center for International Studies, the ceremony will take place Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at the O’Hara Student Center at the University of Pittsburgh.
Mr. Henker has dedicated his career to promoting best practices for nurse anesthetists both in the U.S. and overseas, providing academic and technical assistance to universities and governments around the world. He has promoted nurse anesthesia in Southeast Asia and Latin America and created clinical rotation programs for Pitt students at Angkor Hospital for Children in Cambodia, where he also collaborated with the country’s public health authorities to develop nursing practice guidelines. He has lectured on teaching methods at Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University and contributed to faculty development at the Boromarajonani College of Nursing, both in Thailand. Mr. Henker also helped to forge academic exchanges with Harbin Medical University in China. In Japan, he presented an invited lectures series on simulation and advanced practice nursing. He has also represented Health Volunteers Overseas to develop a nurse anesthesia program in Belize.