Welcome to the
pana blog

PANA DEI Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

PANA
Nov 3

Dr. Ledys Janett Perez:

Being a Latina CRNA fills me with immense pride—especially during Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to honor the culture, resilience, and the contributions of our community. Every day, I carry the strength of my ancestors and the sacrifices of my family into the operating room. As a first-generation Latina in this role, I understand the power of visibility and representation. This month reminds me that being a Latina CRNA is more than a career—it’s a celebration of identity, a reflection of perseverance, and a promise to uplift those who will come after me.

Gianka Figueroa:

“I’m a third year SRNA at Cedar Crest College. When I’m not in the OR or studying, you can usually find me traveling or playing pickleball. Both of my parents are from Nicaragua, and I love visiting family there whenever I can. I also hope to take part in a medical mission trip once I graduate! My biggest inspiration in this journey has been my mom, she is a CRNA and the reason I fell in love with this amazing profession. I can’t wait to work alongside her soon!”

Dr. Virginia Urdaneta:

Being a Latina anesthesia provider makes me proud because I am not only perpetuating the dream of my immigrant parents, but of so many others as well. I hope to be the representation that makes at least one person feel better, whether it be my Latino patients, or a fellow dreamer hoping to become a CRNA!

Dr. Jorge Alvarez:

“My work providing anesthesia is a daily source of gratitude. This month, I’m especially mindful of my family’s humble beginnings in the Dominican Republic and their incredible sacrifice and hard work that turned the hope for a better future in this country into a reality for me.”

Jennifer Salinas:

"My name is Jennifer Salinas. I am a first-year student at Thomas Jefferson’s CRNA program. My family and I are from Cuenca, Ecuador and we enjoy cooking traditional recipes for our family friends. I am very excited to form part of the TJU cohort!"

Arianna Aguilar SRNA:

Born and raised in El Salvador, I came to the U.S. at 19, working as a housekeeper while taking ESL classes. Over a decade later, I have more than five years of nursing experience and am now proudly pursuing my dream as an SRNA. Representation matters deeply to me. Every patient deserves culturally sensitive care and to feel understood. Just as importantly, visibility shows immigrants and first-generation nurses that our challenges build resilience—not barriers. We belong, and I hope my journey reminds others of that truth.

MORE DEI NEWS

We are your PANA DEI Committee

PANA
Jan 27

Updated: Jan 29

The Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is chaired by Bimpe “Bebe” Adenusi, PhD, CRNA, APRN, CNE, FAANA, FNAP.

Other members include:

Dr. Dawn Bent, DNP, CRNA, FAANA

Keith Wieland, CRNA, MSN

Jacqueline Johnson, CRNA

Michael Willie, CRNA

Perpetua Auguste, SRNA

Ledys Janett, SRNA

Check out this video where they share their passion for DEI work and its importance to the association and profession!

MORE DEI NEWS

Beyond the Mask Podcast🎙️Episode: Brett Fadgen's Road to Anesthesia

PANA
Jun 1, 2023

It's here! The Beyond the Mask podcast taping from PANA's Spring Symposium in Hershey! #ICYMI in person, Jeremy Stanley, CFP, AIF and Sharon Pearce, MSN, CRNA sat down with #CRNAinPA Brett Fadgen back on Saturday, May 6th to hear more about his personal story, which includes a timeline of the innovations and opportunities for CRNAs, once believed to be unattainable.

Episode Description

🍫Jeremy and Sharon were up in Hershey for the PANA Spring Symposium and hosted a live taping of the podcast with Brett Fadgen, MSN, CFRN, CRNA. If you haven’t heard Brett’s story, it’s a remarkable one about perseverance and never giving up in the face of life’s challenges. Join us to hear all about his journey and how he became the only one-armed nurse anesthetist.

Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show:

🔹 Brett’s childhood and growing up with a congenital defect. (3:21)

🔹 The journey from being a paramedic to RN to anesthesia school. (9:05)

🔹 The challenges he faced in anesthesia school. (13:47)

🔹 The contact he has with other people with limitations that are interested in anesthesia. (23:55)

🔹 What questions do patients ask? (26:15)

🔹 The final message Brett has for people. (32:00)

🎧 Listen to this episode below via Spotify or via Soundcloud.