BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Thankful for mentors, Brown wants to give back – professionally and personally

Vaunique Brown, BSN, RN, CCRN, still remembers her first intubation. She and her classmates were in clinical for a week at this point, and she had not intubated anyone yet. After seeing the vocal cords and observing the ETT go through, she whispered aloud, “Oh my, God, I got it.” And with that excitement and growing confidence, she knew she had made the right decision to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

In fact, Brown chose the profession because she wanted more opportunities for independence in patient care. She loved working in critical care, but she also wanted to advance her career. The autonomy and quick critical thinking she witnessed during her shadowing experiences made her certain she was going to pursue anesthesia.

Her first shadow experience was in 2012 at her local hospital, where she met Dr. Wallena Gould, Ed, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, founder & CEO of Diversity CRNA who actually encouraged Brown to pursue nurse anesthesia. “Thank you, Dr. Gould,” Brown says.

She also looks up to best friend and peer Ryan Davis, MSN, CRNA, a recent graduate of Columbia University. Davis and Brown met during nursing school at Drexel University. They both shared their aspirations of becoming CRNAs one day. Well, if you’re keeping track at home … that’s one down and one to go! (Brown is studying at the University of Pennsylvania.)

Brown’s current mentor is her program director, Dr. Dawn Bent, DNP, MSN, CRNA, who also serves as a trustee of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists. “If you know her, you know she’s great,” Brown says. “Definitely want to be her when I grow up!"

Brown is taking this educational journey day by day, week by week and embracing each moment. Not that she isn’t thinking about what the future holds. She says she would love to help establish a nurse anesthesia program at one of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

“Black History Month is a time to reflect on the achievements we have accomplished, an opportunity to educate current generations of the sacrifices our ancestors had to make and a moment to remind ourselves of the continued work we still have to hurdle,” Brown said. “I also see this as an opportunity for others to take action on how they can eliminate the disparities that African Americans experience in the various industries that were constructed without us in mind."

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH: Intense interest, passionate mentor fuel Bell to succeed

Ashley Bell, BSN, RN, has always been fascinated by the way patients are put into a state where they are unable to feel and respond to outside stimuli, and then when they awake, they have no recollection of what took place throughout the surgery. That interest in the inner workings of anesthetic treatment has fueled her passion to be a nurse anesthetist. Pursuing that role enables her to continue to advocate for patients and dive even deeper into her interest in anesthetics.

Black History Month offers time for reflection, and Bell says her educational and professional pursuits as an African American student anesthetist at the University of Pennsylvania creates a win-win scenario. One of the challenges she faces is the lack of diversity within her role. It can be overwhelming to be in a work environment that lacks racial diversity. A person can feel like they do not belong within the community, she says. But, as she keeps working to achieve her dreams, she’s changing the dynamic --- and doing her part to ensure people see others of the same background in her profession.

One of the things that has helped Bell navigate these feelings and challenges is her program director, who is also African American. Her program director even inspired her to apply to an Ivy League institution. There’s a real connection, and Bell sees a lot of herself in her program director, who motivates her and helps her see all of the possibilities that are available to her. Bell’s program director motivates her to keep working towards her ultimate goal: Becoming a CRNA and eventually further diversifying the nurse anesthesia profession.

Bell is blessed to have the opportunity to learn from such an amazing role model and hopes to follow in her footsteps, becoming a trailblazer in her profession. When you hear her story, you can tell Bell is already on her way to achieving her dream.

Photos Submitted by Ashley Bell, BSN, RN

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH: In a life filled with promise, Lester Anim studies hard, works harder

It shouldn’t be surprising that the in-depth understanding of pharmacology as well as airway management required of CRNAs would pique the interest of Lester Anim, BSN, RN CCRN-CMC-CSC. He’s a lifelong learner. He’s also someone who remains calm, even under intense pressure, a trait common among nurse anesthetists.

Anim also has drive. “Imposter syndrome is still a problem for me,” he said. Changing careers in health care was a big step, and he remembers feeling like he didn't know as much as some of the other students in class who were nursing aides, paramedics, etc. Instead of deterring him, it only encouraged him to study and work even harder. He still feels that way today as a SRNA at the Geisinger Health System/Bloomsburg University Nurse Anesthesia Program.

Graduating from nursing school was a memorable event for Anim --- not so much because of graduation itself but because of life lessons along the way. Two friends who wanted to become nurses unfortunately lost their lives during that journey. Those events occurred at various points in Anim’s own nursing journey, too, and graduation gave him the sense that he did it for them.

Just as Anim did for them, others have done for Anim. He remains eternally grateful for the overwhelming support he has received from a variety of individuals.

“As cliché as it may seem, I look up to my parents,” he said. “They are both Ghanaian immigrants who worked extremely hard to get to where they are now. They instilled in me the importance of hard effort and doing things the right way.”

Anim wants to graduate from the Geisinger Health System/Bloomsburg University Nurse Anesthesia Program and continue to develop his abilities as a provider. His goal eventually is to participate in mission trips and help provide anesthesia for those less fortunate across the world. He promises to remain an advocate for the profession anyway he can, anywhere he is.

To Anim, Black History Month means celebrating the achievements and contributions that African Americans have given to this world. It involves telling the unsung stories of brilliant people who, despite challenging circumstances, served an inspirational cause with their abilities and talents. For us, it’s time to celebrate people like Lester Anim.

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