Kimberly S. King

MSN, CRNA, NSPM-C

Congratulations to Kimberly S. King, MSN, CRNA, NSPM-C, Fairfield Memorial Hospital, Fairfield, IL — featured in our Nurse Educator Spotlight! Here’s what she had to say about her experiences:

“What really inspired me to move toward education is how much I enjoy teaching. I feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment when I’m precepting anesthesia residents. I’ve always had a strong desire to keep learning and growing, and transitioning to anesthesia education feels like a natural next step in my career. I want to give back by helping shape the next generation of CRNAs.”

“The Nurse Anesthesia Educator Program at MTSA will give me the tools to take what I’ve learned in clinical practice and turn it into something that’s useful and relatable for anesthesia residents. This program will help me understand how to make the connection between academic content and actual practice. I hope to gain confidence and skill in classroom teaching, curriculum development, and student evaluation. I believe this program will make me a stronger clinician by strengthening my communication and leadership skills, enabling me to support, challenge, and inspire the next generation of CRNAs.”

“One of the biggest challenges of being an educator that I’m anticipating is recognizing that every student learns differently. Figuring out how to reach each individual will require not only skill and patience, but also empathy, flexibility, and creativity. It means being willing to adapt my teaching style, provide meaningful feedback, and meet students where they are. As an educator, I know I’ll need to be intentional about building relationships, fostering a safe learning environment, and continually learning myself so I can support each student’s growth and success.”

Jonathan McGarrity

DNAP, CRNA, CNE

Jonathan did not expect a career in healthcare. What began as a vague desire to make the world a better place gradually evolved from a focus on systemic change into a commitment to the individual and a call to the nursing profession. He became a Registered Nurse in 2010 and worked in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, while also engaging in global health efforts in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Guyana. These experiences revealed the critical need for anesthesia around the world and inspired his next pursuit.

Jonathan earned his Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from Samuel Merritt University in 2019, where he developed strong interests in obstetric anesthesia, regional techniques, and education. Working in community hospitals deepened his awareness of how top-down decisions affect individual patients, reinforcing his commitment to system-level change. He completed his Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice and Acute Surgical Pain Management Fellowship at MTSA in 2024. His doctoral work involved creating educational modules for self-identified needs in Guyanese nurse anesthetists—an experience that sparked a deeper passion for teaching and his need to improve. He recently completed the Nurse Educator Program. He remains active in global health and serves the profession as a member of the California Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ Grassroots Advocacy Team.

Gregory Gill

DNAP, CRNA

Greg’s CRNA career started in 2011 after graduating from Texas Wesleyan University. Since then, he has worked in multiple clinical settings and anesthesia models, serving as staff and Chief CRNA. He currently serves as a CRNA in the US Army Reserves and has had the opportunity to practice at various military hospitals, stateside and overseas.

Greg is a staff CRNA for NorthStar Anesthesia at UT Health in Tyler, Texas, and the Assistant Program Director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program at the University of Texas at Tyler, which will start in the fall of 2025. He completed the DNAP program and Acute Surgical Pain Management Fellowship (ASPMF) through MTSA in 2023. After completing the Fellowship, he had the opportunity to teach ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia at cadaver labs at both MTSA and Maverick Medical Education.

Deana Vandivier

CRNA

Deana graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. In November of 2007, she graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing from MTSA, which allowed her to achieve the title of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Deana’s first professional job as a CRNA was at Vanderbilt Medical Center in 2007. She focused on working at the children’s hospital there until March of 2023. She then accepted a job at the Nashville Veterans Administration in the Anesthesia Department as a staff CRNA, where she is currently working. In September 2023 Deana began working on her Doctoral Completion Program to achieve her Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) by December 2025.

Jessica Wild

DNAP, CRNA

Jessica was a member of the MTSA graduating class of 2023. Last January, she began working at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford and Middle Tennessee Ambulatory Surgery Center, both located in Murfreesboro, TN.

“I have always had a passion for education and love working with students both in the classroom and in the clinical setting. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to gain the skills and experiences needed to thrive as a future educator in the Nurse Anesthesia Educator Program at MTSA,” she said.

Wendy Hoersting

DNAP, CRNA, APRN

Wendy has been a clinical preceptor and student mentor since entering the anesthesia arena in 1997. For 25 years, her focus has been on her family, anesthesia practice, and community. Wendy currently serves as the sole CRNA to an oral surgery practice in coastal Georgia and offers shadowing and college planning to high school and college students.

Due to a love for learning and the nurse educator track’s introduction, she returned to complete her DNAP at MTSA. Some areas of interest are evidence-based practice, provider self-care, advocacy, and mentoring.

Zoya Nikolenko

DNAP, CRNA, APRN

Zoya Nikolenko is a CRNA currently employed at The Ohio State University Medical Center and MetroHealth Medical Center with special interest in Obstetric Anesthesia and Acute Surgical Pain Management.

Her professional experience includes 13 years of critical care nursing in various units such as medical, surgical, burn, and trauma ICUs. The majority of her anesthesia training was done in a Level 1 trauma facility with focus on diverse patient population needs. Her educational endeavors include completion of the Acute Surgical Pain Management Fellowship at MTSA and certification as a nurse educator.

Beimal Yazdanparast

DNAP, CRNA, APRN, CNE

Beimal Yazdabparast is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and Certified Nurse Educator. She has been a CRNA for six years in various settings and practices including obstetrics, pediatrics, and adult specialty anesthesia at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Tennessee Surgery Center. Precepting over the years influenced her to complete her doctorate to teach future CRNAs.

In conjunction with the Doctorate Completion Program, she also completed the Nurse Educator Track. While in the program, she became an adjunct faculty member teaching OB Anesthesia at MTSA. She has had the opportunity to organize lectures, present live lectures, and administer exams. Her hard work, determination, collaboration, and passion allow her to become an educator who supports SRNAs to flourish into successful and skilled CRNAs.

Robin Birchenough

MSN, CRNA

Robin Birchenough completed her initial studies in nursing at an associates degree/diploma program at Helene Fuld School of Nursing in Trenton, NJ, followed by a BSN from Thomas Edison State College in NJ ten years later. She received an MS and completed her anesthesia training at St Joseph’s University/Nazareth Hospital in Philadelphia in 2003.

“I learned about the MTSA program from a fellow CRNA and good friend who completed her studies there. I had always intended to teach at an anesthesia program but never quite found the time, so the education track intrigued me. Although the program was challenging, I’m amazed at how much valuable information I learned in two short years. I feel very prepared to begin the next chapter of my career in anesthesia. The professors, guest lecturers and all the staff at MTSA are some of brightest and most professional people I have met. I feel blessed to have found them,” Robin said.

Currently Robin is the chief CRNA at a Community Medical Center in NJ. She has two grown daughters, both nurses, one in her nurse anesthesia residency. She enjoys running, weightlifting, and gardening. She practices and teaches yoga and is certified in teaching trauma informed yoga. When she’s not busy with those activities, she is chasing after her toddler granddaughter, Elsie.

Special congratulations to Robin who can now add Certified Nurse Educator to her credentials!

Jordan Frenz Billings

Recipient of the 2023 Larry Lancaster Outstanding Nurse Educator Award

This year’s recipient (pictured above right) graduates from the completion program today and is currently enrolled in our first nurse educator cohort. She created an education podcast with her Doctoral Project team on Anesthesia Techniques to Decrease the risk of relapse for patients in recovery. In addition, she is the first postgraduate student to serve on a school committee. She actively serves on our student life committee and is committed to health and wellness for students. She has also taken on the additional role as a teaching assistant this semester. She is a recipient of the NFLP grant which means she has received funds for school in return for dedicating 4 years working as a Nurse Educator upon completion of the program.

About the Award
The Larry Lancaster Outstanding Nurse Educator Award is voted on by the Doctorate Faculty. Candidates seek opportunities in teaching beyond course requirements. In addition, the qualifications to be nominated for this award include:

• Presenting scholarly works at MTSA and Professional conferences
• Use of creative or innovative instructional techniques
• Creating work that translates into other disciplines
• Organizing and presenting subject matter in ways that interest and stimulate learners
• Being a positive role model to students regarding the value of a doctoral education
• Imparting a respect for truth and a love of learning
• Showing respect for all persons