University of Mobile Honors First Graduates of Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program, Celebrates 100% Job Placement

MOBILE, Ala. - Even before they had completed the University of Mobile's new Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program this summer, every member of the first graduating class had received job offers in a field that U.S. News & World Report ranks #5 on its 2024 Best Jobs List.

Dr. Todd Hicks, executive dean of the College of Health Professions and professor of nurse anesthesiology, congratulated the 12-member inaugural class and noted their many accomplishments during an awards ceremony held July 13 on campus.

By the Numbers

"You have been diligent. You have persevered - and look how far you made it!" said Hicks, founding dean of UM's DNAP program.

Throughout the 36-month program, the dozen students:

• Delivered 10,735 anesthetics among six clinical sites
• Experienced 32,157 hours and 30 minutes of anesthesia time
• Cared for 1,136 pediatric patients, including 304 infants and 31 neonates
• Provided care for 482 emergencies
• Handled 864 obstetric cases, including performing 393 epidurals for labor analgesia and more than 300 spinal anesthetics for 382 Cesarean sections
• Performed 7,539 endotracheal intubations, 1,243 regional anesthetics, 913 arterial lines and 182 central lines.
• Participated in 165 open heart anesthetics and 210 lung surgeries.
• Produced three high-quality evidence-based practice doctoral projects and conducted at least 6,000 hours of research and inquiry.

Outstanding Student Awards

During the awards ceremony held at the Lonnie & Lynne Burnett Event Center, students received a variety of awards highlighting their achievements in various categories.

The Agatha Hodgins Award for Student Excellence was presented to Molly Miljus Lane. Named for the founder and first president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and founder of the first CRNA training program, the Agatha Hodgins Award is presented to the student from each graduating class who exudes excellence in didactic and clinical training as well as in scholarship or research inquiry - displaying strength in all academic and clinical areas.

Academic Achievement Awards were presented to two students who earned 4.0 GPAs, Evan Brock and Joel Hicks. Brock also received the Outstanding Clinical Student Award, for proficiency in all areas including general, regional, airway management, crisis management, teamwork and teaching.

Two special awards were presented in recognition of the Cindy and John Bruns family.

The Cindy Bruns Scholarship Award, presented to a rising senior, was awarded to James Easter. The award honors the late Cindy Bruns, a beloved, longtime University of Mobile employee described as "someone with a heart full of gratitude and a willingness to help anyone with anything." Cindy was particularly known for her support and encouragement of students majoring in health care fields at the Christ-centered university.

The John Bruns Spirit of Mobile Award was named in honor of Cindy's husband, John Bruns, who started the family's UM legacy when he graduated in 1978 with an Associate Degree in Nursing. Following in his footsteps, members of the Bruns family also graduated from UM in health care fields, with a total of five serving as CRNAs in the Mobile area. The UM Alumni Association named John Bruns the Alumnus of the Decade for the 1970s, and he has continued to be a strong supporter of the university.

The John Bruns Spirit of Mobile Award is presented to a student who has the utmost work ethic, is a caring servant leader, works diligently with a smile in the face of extreme challenges, is respected by their class and colleagues and most exemplifies the spirit of the University of Mobile. Receiving the award was James Tyler Downs.

First DNAP Class

Members of the inaugural class of UM's DNAP program, including their award recognitions, are:

Evan Brock, Outstanding Clinical Student, 4.0 Certificate, program completion certificate

Alexandra Brock, Most Emergency Cases, program completion certificate

Olivia Branning, Most Clinical Cases, program completion certificate

Alec Cunningham, Most Clinical Cases, program completion certificate

Tyler Downs, The John Bruns Spirit of Mobile Award, program completion certificate

Anna Caroline Gaines, Most Neuro Cases, program completion certificate

Joel Hicks, 4.0 Certificate, Most Regional Management Cases, program completion certificate.

Morgan Harlan, Most Open Heart Cases, program completion certificate

Molly Miljus Lane, Agatha Hodgins Award for Student Excellence, program completion certificate

Heath McGrew, Most Peripheral Regional Anesthetics, program completion award

Olivia Partin, Most OB Cases, program completion certificate

Meredith Perry, Advocacy Award, program completion certificate

UM's Highly Competitive Program

UM offers the first and only DNAP program in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Georgia. The 36-month program consists of nine consecutive semesters with blended learning environments. Students train locally in the Mobile metropolitan area. DNAP graduates are eligible to take the National Certification Examination required to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.

The DNAP program accepted the first class of 12 students in August 2021. The highly competitive program has expanded and now accepts 15 new students annually. Deadline for applications is Oct. 1, 2024. Program information and applications are available at umobile.edu/dnap.

The University of Mobile DNAP program is accredited and approved by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), Alabama Board of Nursing and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of "Higher Education for a Higher Purpose," founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.

Photo above: From left: Anna Caroline Gaines, Olivia Branning, Molly Lane, Meredith Perry, Alexandra Brock, Tyler Downs, Morgan Harlan, Alec Cunningham, Olivia Partin, Heath McGrew, Joel Hicks, Evan Brock

About the University of Mobile

The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of "Higher Education for a Higher Purpose," founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.

For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.

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