A Pennsylvania nurse anesthesia student received the 2020 AANA Student Excellence Award.
Ryan Wade, a senior at the Allegheny School of Anesthesia/La Roche University, accepted the award during the virtual Annual Congress.
The national award is an annual honor presented to a student in good academic standing who demonstrates outstanding leadership and professionalism, participates in activities that help foster a positive public image of nursing, and engages in activities that support health care.
Wade demonstrated his capacity for leadership and professionalism during his first clinical rotation when he took swift action to help a nurse found unresponsive on the floor. He immediately began CPR and called out for help, remaining calm as he continued providing care. Wade’s actions and competence helped her survive the cardiac arrest, intact cognitively. Her subsequent care uncovered additional complications, and though she later passed away, the family kept in contact with Wade, inviting him to attend her memorial service.
He also maintained academic excellence while being active with PANA. Wade has been an advocate for CRNAs in Pennsylvania by serving on PANA’s Government Relations Committee. He was an active member of the committee for two terms, having participated in numerous events. Wade met with state legislators and committees, including legislative leaders such as former Speaker of the House Mike Turzai and the House Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee. His efforts also extended to the federal level, having met with Vice-President Mike Pence.
"Ryan is a leader among his peers and has consistently exceeded our expectations these past two years,” said PANA Director of State Government Affairs Jessica Poole, DNAP, CRNA. “His drive and enthusiasm is contagious and his wisdom and insight exceeds well beyond his level of training. He represents our profession with tact and professionalism."
Locally, he displayed his professional promise and capabilities of serving the community by serving as a PANA spokesperson to WTAE, a Pittsburgh news channel. During the broadcast, he demonstrated proper use of PPE and informed the public of PANA’s purchase of 3D N-95 masks, intended to support Pennsylvania CRNAs working with COVID-19 patients.
“I envision he will continue in his efforts to privately and publicly represent our profession as a knowledgeable, competent and pre-eminently invested CRNA after graduation,” said Allegheny School of Anesthesia Program Director Deborah Davison, DNAP, MS, CRNA. “I am very proud of his accomplishments and feel confident that he is deserving of this award as recognition for his hard work.”
PANA applauds Ryan Wade’s achievements as an SRNA and congratulates him on this well-deserved national recognition.