Simulation Center KPSA Faculty Awards and Acknowledgments KPSA Clinical Instructor of the Year Agatha Hodgins Memorial Award CSUF Contributions to Professional Nursing Award DNP Projects & Awards

Simulation Center

State-of-the-Art Simulation Center

Our state-of-the-art simulation center provides a safe learning environment that allows students to practice technical skills while integrating knowledge into practice. Our simulation center is equipped with the most modern technology and equipment, including but not limited to:

Adult and infant high-fidelity Leardal™ mannequin-based simulators
Subarachnoid block and epidural task trainers
Storz™ C-MAC™ video laryngoscopes/flexible intubating video endoscopes
Ambu™ fiberoptic bronchoscopes
Glidescope™ video laryngoscopes/flexible intubating video endoscopes
McGrath™ video laryngoscopes
Blue Phantom™ ultrasound task trainers
SonoSim™ Point-of-care ultrasound task trainers
Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) simulators.

First Year

Sterile Technique
Anesthesia Gas Machines
Pre-operative Evaluation
Induction of Anesthesia
Basic Airway Workshop
Spinal Workshop
Problem-based Simulation
TeamStepps®
Differential Diagnosis

Second and Third Years

Central Line Workshop
Pediatric Induction
Epidural Workshop
Double Lumen Endotracheal Tube Insertion
Differential Diagnosis
Crisis Resource Management
Peripheral Nerve Block Workshop
Advanced Difficult Airway Workshop
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) Workshop
Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Workshop

KPSA Faculty Awards and Acknowledgments

1980 - Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator Award - Joyce Kelly, EdD, CRNA
1989 - Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing - Joyce Kelly, EdD, CRNA, FAAN
1993 - Program Director of the Year - Joyce Kelly, EdD, CRNA, FAAN
2002 - Agatha Hodgins Outstanding Accomplishment Award - Joyce Kelly, EdD, CRNA, FAAN
2002 - Program Director of the Year - John Nagelhout, PhD, CRNA
2011 - Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing - John Nagelhout, PhD, CRNA, FAAN
2015 - Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator Award - Sass Elisha, EdD, CRNA
2017 - Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing - Sass Elisha, EdD, CRNA, FAAN
2021 - Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology - Ed Waters, DNP, CRNA, FAANA
2021 - Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology - Sass Elisha, EdD, CRNA, FAAN, FAANA
2022 - Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology - Mark Gabot, DNP, CRNA, FAANA
2022 - Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology - Sarah Giron, PhD, CRNA, FAANA
2023 - Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology - Jeremy Heiner, EdD, CRNA, FAANA
2024 - Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology - Sandra Bordi, DNP, CRNA, FAANA

KPSA Clinical Instructor of the Year

1985 Donald Schindler

1986 Danielle Civitello

1987 Esther Momrow

1988 Julianna Mortimer

1989 Theresa Park

1990 Janet Meredith

1991 Wendy Bryson

1992 Jane Lai

1993 Mary Perrin

1994 Patricia M. Hughes

1995 Lois MacDonald

1996 John B. Fisher

1997 Shelly Harthrong

1998 Heather Sargeant

1999 Greg Stone

2000 Jim Decker/Gregory Wright

2001 Jim Decker

2002 Joe Burkhard

2003 Ivan Valladolid

2004 Nancy Brown

2005 Kathi Ryan

2006 Sandra Lee

2007 Steve Peirera

2008 Corry DeRobertis

2009 William McIlvaine, MD

2010 Saro Davidian

2011 Mark Gabot

2012 Craig Cooper

2013 Ann Singleton

2014 Mojdeh Didehvarsadr

2015 John DellaRipa

2016 Anne Dondis

2017 Valerie Sedor

2018 Raymond Hussain

2019 Darlene Falco

2021 Kevin De Leon

2022 Robert Valdez

2023 Bryan Elrod

Agatha Hodgins Memorial Award

Recognizing Outstanding Graduate Nurse Anesthetist of the Year

1974 Joanne Coudret

1975 Carol A. Haynes

1976 Jim Estrada

1977 Randy Willeby

1978 Frank Perez

1979 Carol Jackson

1980 Karen Kennedy

1981 Gayle Ulshafer

1982 Patricia Van Culin

1983 Sharon Nakandakare

1984 Elizabeth Sodbinow

1985 Thomas Broach

1986 Joyce Sherman Frankfurt

1987 Lois Rodriquez Ruder

1988 Martha Espinosa

1989 Mark Shuzo Noguchi

1990 Roy H. Fukuoka

1991 Sharolyn Haida

1992 Gregory S. Wright

1993 Marianne Azar-Goodnight

1994 Christine Jaussen

1995 Ellen McCaughey

1996 Karen Erickson

1997 Susan Chesley

1998 Michael Epperson

1999 Mark Hunter

2000 Karla Waddell/Cathy Forward

2001 Bobby Smith/Robert Lineses

2002 Debra Espinosa

2003 Frank Cardoza

2004 Jennifer Zitt-Thompson

2005 Kate Sulitis/Joe Velasquez

2006 Diana Padilla

2007 Emily Hwang

2008 John Cavitt

2009 Sandy Yang

2010 Lee Ranalli

2011 Jennifer Morales

2012 Kerrie Klein

2013 Shelly Noland

2014 Jaine Chapman

2015 Jeff Kupfer

2016 Michael Schafer

2017 Ellison Concepcion

2018 Amin Azam

2019 Natalie Jones

2021 David Sierra

2022 Hana Yoo

2023 Michaela Holland

CSUF Contributions to Professional Nursing Award

2021 Erika Giovaniello

2022 Vincent Risler

2023 Azucena Becerra

DNP Projects & Awards

Our program’s practice-oriented doctorate, combined with the academic education and clinical experience received throughout the program, prepares graduates to meet the demands of an increasingly complex healthcare system. Below are some of our graduates’ program projects from the College of Health and Human Development Student Research Showcase.

2024

A Secondary Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database: Practice Recommendations to Reduce Adverse Postoperative Respiratory Occurrences
Malia Case, Abby Schrader, Evan Shmagranoff

Award: 2024 KPSA Research and Evidence-Based Practice Award
Developing a Cricothyrotomy Training Module: a Delphi Analysis
Jessica Godshall, Jake Moss
Developing a Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist Mentorship Program
Amanda Blanco, Leeshy Levi, Frances Stauber

Award: 19th Azusa Pacific University Nursing Research Symposium – Award for Excellence in the Community Category
Developing an Operating Room to Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Handoff Checklist: a Delphi Study
Justin Breazeale, Junelle Jones, Gina Yan
Developing and Implementing an Educational Module on Situational Leadership During Intraoperative Crises
Matthew Martin, Tiffany Nguyen
Exploring the Relationship Between Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intentions Among Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Survey
Alaina Yamamoto

Award: CSUF College of Health and Human Development Student Research Showcase – 1st Place for Best Poster Presentation
Implementing an Online Preceptorship Training Module for CRNAs
Ryan Han, Michelle Patzer, Han Tran
Implementing the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s Hospital 2.0 Survey on Patient Safety Culture
Sarah Evangelista, Garrick Liang, Brandy Plascencia
Managing Perioperative Glucose of Diabetic Patients
Madinah Durrani, Hanh Le, Jessie Rellosa
Reducing Postoperative Reintubations Through a Risk Assessment Aid
Jacqueline Otake, Caroline Tan, Grace Troyer
The Safety and Efficacy of Sugammadex in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure
Jillian Stasiun
Transition to Practice Programs: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Britainie De Garbott

Award: CSUF College of Health and Human Development Student Research Showcase – 3rd Place for Best Student Oral Presentation

2023

Developing an Educational Module on Situational Leadership During Intraoperative Crises: A Delphi Analysis
Caitlin Hester, Elena Jin, Michelle Kim
Fluid Management Considerations for Colorectal Surgery: Understanding and Enhancing Intraoperative Fluid Management Guidelines for Anesthesia Providers
Sarah Cantrell, Karli Nihei, Susanna Smith

Publication: International Student Journal of Nurse Anesthesia
Cantrell S, Nihei K, Smith S. Goal-Directed Fluid Therapy for Colorectal Surgery. International Student Journal of Nurse Anesthesia. 2023;22(2):50-51.
Improving Standardization in the Perioperative Management of Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Devices
Tom Roschek, Grant Tarrant, Bronsen Valentine
Online Preceptor Training Module to Improve the Clinical Experience: A Focus on Improving Knowledge, Preceptor Satisfaction, Confidence, and Comfort
Erica Butler, Michaela Holland, Alicia Johnson
Operating Room to Post-Anesthesia Care Unit Handoff Checklist
Marlonino Balajadia, Savannah Dominguez, Yasaman Karimianpour
Perioperative Glycemic Management of Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery
Niko Africano, Ryan De La Merced, Gustavo Leor
Postoperative Unplanned Intubation and Associated Patient Factors
Allison Aown, Ashley Bailey, Alexandra Kukurba
Postoperative Vision Loss Following Prone Spine Surgery
Azucena Becerra, Michael Liu, Molly Ronan

Award: CSUF Student Creative Activities and Research Day (SCAR) – 2nd Place

Publication: Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing
Becerra, A., Liu, M., Ronan, M., Giron, S. E., Yan, R., & Al-Majid, S. (2024). Perioperative Vision Loss Following Prone Spine Surgery: A Case-Control Study. Journal of perianesthesia nursing: official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses, S1089-9472(23)01069-9. Advance online publication.
Preoperative Hyperoxygenation for Reducing Risk of Surgical Site Infection in Colorectal Surgery Patients
Josiah Hoi, Brian Lin, Chris Radford
Reducing Perioperative Complications in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Marcus Jew, Mai Lor, Brett Miyamoto

Award: 18th Azusa Pacific University Nursing Research Symposium – Award for Excellence in the Community Category
Surgical Factors Associated with Unplanned Intubations
Mario Khong, Michael Ortegon

2022

A Rural California Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Workforce Study
Haiyun Bertrand, Se Park, Hana Yoo
Disaster Preparedness: Massive Power Outage in the OR
Joseph Ortega, Joshua Quesada, Caroline Yi
Implementation of Crisis Checklists: A Simulation-Based Toolkit
Leo Myo, Rex Itchon, Ryan Guinoo
Implementing a Clinical Decision Support Tool to Minimize Nitrous Oxide Use at a Southern California Kaiser Permanente Hospital
Rozely Barbero, Heather Todd, Mariam Youssef
Intraoperative IV Fluid Administration by Anesthesia Providers During Colorectal Surgery
Mason Cox, William Frappaolo, Francisco Lievano
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Quality Improvement Project
Monica Lang, Quinn Le, Devon Reeves
Operating Room to Intensive Care Unit Handoff for Cardiac Surgery
Vincent Risler, Karanbir Sumra, Graham Valley
Perioperative Glycemic Management of Diabetic Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery
Chelsea Putman, Tyler Stitt
Perioperative Opioid Reduction in Orthopedic Spine Surgeries
Jocelyn Brown, Blake Ohm, Scout Stanley

Award: CSUF College of Health and Human Development Student Research Showcase – 1st Place for Best Oral Presentation
Sugammadex and Hormonal Contraceptives: Improving Education and Documentation
Sydnie Dong, Christa Solis, Victor Tung
The Effect of Hyperoxia on the Incidence of Surgical Site Infections in Colorectal Surgery Patients
Carla Morris, Kristy Abel

2021

Development of a Clinical Reference for Screening and Perioperative Management of Patients with OSA
Matthew Rosales, Meagan Sitzer, Alyssa Wagenhals
Intravenous Fluid Administration in Colorectal Surgery
Caresse Correa, Allison Yue
Enhancing Simulation Education: A Quality Improvement Project to Support Professional Development, Growth, and Education of Nurses Transitioning into the Critical Care Setting
Jennifer Ngo, Austin Peik, Lisa Wheeler-Haggart
Improving Proper Disposal of Opioid Prescriptions Among Patients
Soomin Kim, Gina Nguyen
Nitrous Oxide for the Management of Labor
Lindsay McCormick, Allison Spolsdoff
Non-Invasive Respiratory Monitoring for the Early Identification of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea in the Postoperative Setting
Stevan Abt, Jeffrey Graham, Adrian Ramirez

Award: CSUF College of Health and Human Development Student Research Showcase – 3rd Place for Best Oral Presentation
Nurse Education: Utilizing Acetaminophen and NSAIDs to Reduce Postoperative Opioid Consumption After Orthopedic Surgery
Nicholas Rincon, Emanuel Sevilla, David Sierra

Award: CSUF College of Health and Human Development Student Research Showcase – 3rd Place for Best Poster Presentation
Perioperative Glycemic Management of Diabetic Patients
Isabella Alcaraz, Kathryn Fukumoto, Shayne Santiago
Perioperative Hyperoxygenation for Reducing Risk of Surgical Site Infection in Colorectal Surgery Patients
Christina Cross, Kyla Winkle
Reducing the Use of Nitrous Oxide in an Urban Southern California Hospital
Erika Giovanniello, Rebecca Hamilton, Kuei-na Lee

Award: CSUF College of Health and Human Development Student Research Showcase – 1st Place for Best Oral Presentation
Remifentanil Analgesia During Labor
Leezett Lopez, Katy Mabunay, Miroslav Ustemchuk