BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Jacqueline Sergon is reaching new heights – literally!

Jacqueline Sergon, MSN, BA, CRNP, CCRN, SRNA, has had to overcome immense personal self-doubt, financial challenges, institutional racial micro-aggression, and discrimination to get to where she is today.

That’s why the SRNA at the University of Pittsburgh has made it among her personal and professional goals to correct the current narrative of who comes to mind when people think of a CRNA. She reflected on her journey during Black History Month.

“These challenges remain ever present in many SRNA’s lives,” said Sergon, who added that another reason she chose this profession is because it gives her the opportunity to impact positive, indelible change in her patients’ lives.

“I do recognize these challenges for what they are, though, and the unique role they play in shaping not only my personal outlook, but a collective outlook as well,” she said.

Sergon is already making a huge impact and leaving a mark for herself. She won the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ 2022 student-essay award as a first-year SRNA, making her the first in Pitt’s history to do so. That was meaningful, she said.

She continues to pay homage to legacy pioneers like Esther McCready, the first Black student at her alma mater, The University of Maryland, whom she had the honor of meeting; Goldie Bragman, the first Black AANA president; and, most of all, her personal mentor, Dr. Wallena Gould, CEO & Founder of Diversity CRNA and Chair of The American Academy of Nursing’s Diversity & Inclusivity Committee.

But Sergon isn’t stopping there. Her drive is to scale new heights and slay old barriers in terms of further scholarship, further advocacy, further mentorship, and further diversity and inclusivity --- doing the work she says she needs to do and that needs to be done.

“Black History Month to me is about the solemnity with which we honor our forebears’ sacrifices, the profound gratitude for our opportunities, and not least of all, the sobriety with which we realize there is still much, much more work to do,” Sergon said.

We can expect her to continue to reach new heights --- literally. She already has her pilot’s license!

“It’s important to nourish our personal passions that keep us going,” she said.

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH: First-generation American one-of-a-kind achiever

It was Perpetua M. Auguste’s cousin who introduced her to the fact that she can go beyond bedside nursing and specialize. Her choice? Nurse anesthesia.

“I chose to pursue a graduate degree in nurse anesthesia because I believed I could do it,” said Auguste, BSN, RN, CCRN, who is on pace to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania in 2025. “Don’t get me wrong: The thought was scary and overwhelming, and I didn’t exactly know how or when. I just knew I wanted it.”

Fast forward to 2020 and she was well positioned and prepared to apply after overcoming some of the challenges of being a first-generation American.

As the first born to two Haitian immigrant parents who don’t have college degrees, Auguste had to navigate all the systems on her own. She didn’t have the blueprint or the resources many of her classmates had as undergraduates, or even some of her former colleagues who moved on to school before her.

But, through determination, persistence, being resourceful and asking plenty of questions, she is now in the final semester of her first year as an SRNA --- and she couldn’t be prouder.

“I can feel the approval of my late grandmother and all of those who fought for Black people to be where I am right now,” Auguste said. “I can sense their pride and I draw from that. Their legacy is helping me create mine. Because they did, I can, and I will.”

Auguste said their part in Black history has created her opportunity and she wants to keep working to make her own contributions.

Now, her future in anesthesia looks bright as she is ready to continue to learn as much as she can while earning her degree.

“I’m excited to see where this journey leads me and to continue to build on this foundation and grow in my practice,” she said.

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Jefferson’s career in health care never in doubt

For LaJasmine R. Jefferson, BS, BSN, RN, CCRN, SRNA, a career in health care was never in doubt.

“Potentially cliché but absolutely genuine, as a young child I knew I was going to be in health care providing care for individuals,” said Jefferson, who is attending the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia program, with plans to finish in 2024.

“At a very young age, my mother was also struggling with a medical ailment, and being extremely attached to her all I wanted to do was protect and care for her,” she continues. “I also really loved science, so I combined my natural two loves and the decision to become a nurse was easy.”

Jefferson chose anesthesia because it requires a great deal of critical thinking and fastidiousness. Having an uncle who is an anesthesiologist to guide and support her aided in her decision to pursue anesthesia as well.

Her biggest inspiration is her mother and making her proud. She was a single parent who raised four children with extremely limited resources but with her strength, resilience, belief and love, she made a way for all of her children and herself.

“My success is being my mother’s first child to graduate from college and her first child to obtain a doctorate education,” Jefferson said.

Black History Month is a celebration of what was, what is, and what is to be for the success and empowerment of African Americans. It represents a culture that Jefferson said she is proud to be part of. Black history is American history and its vitality in this world cannot be stressed enough.

As for plans after graduation? Jefferson said that after becoming a CRNA she wants to focus her efforts on increasing minority representation for nurse anesthetists and providing opportunities for nurses to reach their goals.

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