Jodie Szlachta receives state nurse anesthesia faculty award

Villanova, PA, April 24, 2009 — Jodie Szlachta, M.S.N., CRNA, on April 18th, received the Didactic Instructor of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA) at its 2009 Spring Symposium in Hershey, PA. She is the associate director of the Villanova University College of Nursing- Crozer-Chester Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia-a highly competitive program to educate nurse anesthetists.

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice nurse who administers anesthesia. CRNAs are the only nurses who are credentialed to provide anesthesia services. More than 2,500 CRNAs practice in the state of Pennsylvania.

Szlachta , a nurses anesthetist for 11 years, was honored for her enthusiastic classroom instruction and dedication to nurse anesthesia education. She is a 2007 alumna of the College’s post- master’s program in nursing education and is one of its doctoral students.

The Villanova University College of Nursing, established in 1953, is a nationally recognized premier nursing program under Catholic auspices with a mission to create a synergy between compassion and clinical excellence. Designated a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing, the College provides a values-based undergraduate education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences that prepares students to assume positions as productive, ethical, and socially responsible citizens and leaders providing care in clinical and community settings. Its reputation is solidified by its rigorous, top-ranked graduate program to prepare advanced practice nurses, administrators and nurse educators; its environment for faculty and student scholarship; its respected continuing nursing education program and the leadership contributions of its students, faculty and alumni in nursing and health care around the world.