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Every day, CRNAs across Pennsylvania are doing incredible work — and we want to celebrate it!
November 2026
Spotlight on Don Larmon, CRNA
Don Larmon has built a remarkable career defined by clinical excellence, leadership, mentorship, and a deep commitment to advancing the nurse anesthesia profession.
At UPMC Hamot, Don is a trusted clinician known for his sound judgment, calm presence, and ability to navigate complex cases while delivering safe, evidence-based anesthesia care. His expertise and collaborative approach have made him an invaluable resource for colleagues, students, and the entire anesthesia team.
Don’s impact is especially evident in nurse anesthesia education. After serving as Assistant Program Director for ten years, Don became Program Director in August 2019, leading the program through September 2024. He has since returned to the Assistant Program Director role as he looks toward retirement next year, continuing to teach, mentor, and shape the next generation of CRNAs.
Over the course of his career, Don has dedicated countless hours to mentoring nurse anesthesia residents, new CRNAs, and future clinical and didactic faculty. His influence extends far beyond the classroom and operating room. Several CRNAs he has mentored have gone on to develop an independent practice group, expanding access to CRNA-led care and extending Don’s impact throughout the profession.
His commitment to education and clinical excellence has been recognized at both the state and national level, including being named PANA Clinical Instructor of the Year and AANA Didactic Instructor of the Year, as well as receiving UPMC’s Cameos of Caring Award as an Advanced Practice Clinical Nurse.
Perhaps Don’s legacy is best reflected in the people and culture he has helped shape:
“I witness Don's influence daily through the students and faculty and their interactions with patients and families. It warms my heart to think of how his gentle instruction has changed the culture of anesthesia. I feel our patients receive the best anesthesia care because of him.”
Don is also a dedicated advocate for the profession, supporting efforts to strengthen the voice and visibility of CRNAs across Pennsylvania. Whether caring for patients, teaching at the bedside, mentoring colleagues, developing future leaders, or advocating for nurse anesthesia, Don leads with integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
💙 PANA is proud to spotlight Don and celebrate a career whose impact will continue to be felt through the patients, students, colleagues, and CRNAs he has influenced for years to come.
Do you know CRNA in PA we should highlight next? Visit the form to nominate them!
October 2026
Spotlight on Karen Ferguson, MSN, CRNA
With more than 30 years of anesthesia experience, Karen Ferguson has built a career centered on exceptional patient care, leadership, education, and advocacy for the nurse anesthesia profession.
Karen serves as Lead CRNA at UPMC’s Digestive Health and Endoscopy Center and continues to practice as a Trauma and Transplant CRNA at UPMC Presbyterian. Throughout her career, she has led complex clinical care, advanced practice improvements, mentored countless SRNAs, and helped establish a student clinical rotation at DHEC.
A longtime PANA and AANA member, Karen is also a dedicated advocate for CRNAs and the important role they play in patient care.
💙 PANA is proud to spotlight Karen and celebrate her incredible contributions to nurse anesthesia!
Do you know CRNA in PA we should highlight next? Visit the form to nominate them!
September 2026
Spotlight on Mentorship: Lisa Jones, MSN, CRNA
PANA is proud to spotlight Lisa Jones, MSN, CRNA, a pediatric cardiac CRNA at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).
Lisa has dedicated an incredible 30 years of nursing practice to caring for pediatric patients at CHOP, including 20 years specializing in anesthesia for pediatric cardiac cases. Throughout her career, she has been a trailblazer for CRNA practice and a trusted leader within the Division of Cardiac Anesthesia.
As Team Lead, Lisa has mentored countless student nurse anesthetists and CRNA colleagues with patience, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to their success. She has consistently shared her time, knowledge, and encouragement to support the growth of future nurse anesthetists and has also been instrumental in the successful implementation of DNP projects within the Cardiac Center at CHOP.
Lisa’s leadership extends beyond the walls of CHOP. She has served multiple terms on the NJANA Board, advocating for CRNA practice and our profession. She has also co-authored several publications throughout her tenure at CHOP, contributing to the advancement of pediatric cardiac anesthesia and the care of this incredibly complex patient population.
Thank you, Lisa, for all you have contributed to the nurse anesthesia profession, for the generations of CRNAs you have mentored, and for the extraordinary care you have provided to our tiniest patients and their families. Your leadership, expertise, and kindness are an inspiration! 💙
Do you know CRNA in PA we should highlight next? Visit the form to nominate them!
July 2026
Spotlight on Leadership and Advocacy: Toni Orsino, MSN, CRNA
PANA is proud to recognize Toni Orsino, MSN, CRNA, for her outstanding leadership and advocacy for the CRNA profession.
🩺 As Senior CRNA Director at UPMC/University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Toni helps lead one of the region’s largest CRNA teams. She is a strong voice for CRNAs at the executive level, advocating for scope of practice, professional recognition, fair compensation, and the value CRNAs bring to patient care.
Toni is also deeply committed to mentorship, recruitment, and supporting the next generation of CRNAs. Through networking events, SRNA engagement, and community-focused initiatives, she continues to elevate the profession both inside and outside the operating room.
👏 Thank you, Toni, for your dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to advancing CRNA practice.
June 2026
Spotlight on Education and Mentorship: Bryan Kapish, DNP, CRNA
Dr. Bryan Kapish is making a lasting impact as a clinical educator at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg's Nurse Anesthesia Program!
A student nominated Bryan for being patient, kind, knowledgeable, and truly dedicated to helping students succeed. He takes the time to make sure students understand concepts and procedures, building their confidence before they step into the clinical setting.
Thank you, Bryan, for investing in the next
generation of CRNAs and helping students grow with skill, confidence, and support!
March 2026
Spotlight on Excellence: Aric Bunch, CRNA🔍
From the bedside to the classroom, Aric Bunch is a force for innovation in nurse anesthesia. Between his leadership at Ultrasound Red Goo and his nationwide conference presentations, Aric is helping clinicians everywhere master procedural ultrasound and vascular access.
Scholarship, innovation, and mentorship—Aric brings it all to the table. We are so lucky to have him in the PANA community!
Do you know CRNA in PA we should highlight next? Visit the form to nominate them!
March 2026
Spotlight on Clinical Expertise: Dan Chojnacki, CRNA
Dan has dedicated 45 years to nurse anesthesia practice as a CRNA, building a career marked by expert clinical care, humor, and mentorship.
A graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes Nurse Anesthesia Program, Dan has served at hospitals across the state and inspired future CRNAs through both teaching and example.
💬 His nominator shared that he gifted her first stethoscope and took her to her first regional PANA meeting as a student — a gesture that helped shape her career. 🩺
Thank you, Dan, for your lasting impact on patients, colleagues, and the profession!
Spotlight on Student Development: Elizabeth Strunk, CRNA
Elizabeth exemplifies what it means to be a team-centered, patient-focused CRNA. Her nominator says she consistently shows up ready to support her colleagues and provide excellent, compassionate care to every patient she serves.
Beyond her clinical role, Elizabeth has been deeply committed to educating and mentoring the next generation of CRNAs since 2017 -- teaching at multiple programs and volunteering her time for both simulation and lecture. Her dedication, generosity, and steady work ethic strengthen our profession every single day.
About PANA CRNA Spotlight Nominations
Do you know a colleague (or are you a CRNA/SRNA yourself) who deserves recognition? We are looking for nominations in these categories:
✨ Professional Spotlight
📚 Research & Scholarship
🏆 Awards & Honors
🤝 Community Impact
🎓 Education & Mentorship
