Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs
A podcast for the CRNA industry. Discussing the important issues that happen both in, and beyond, the operating room. With Sharon Pearce, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN and Jeremy Stanley, EA, CFP, AIF. Innovations & opportunities for CRNAs & APRNs. Visit our website for more great information https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ and to learn how you can get CE Credit as a CRNA just by listening to the podcast. Don’t miss our special series on CRNA History, CRNA Personal Finance & Retirement, Political Conversations, CRNA Career Issues, and our leadership series called Courage To Lead. Check out new episodes of Beyond The Mask every week with distinguished guests from the CRNA community... #anesthesiology #rn #surgery #healthcare #nurseanesthesiologist #crnaschool #nursing #srnalife #nurselife #nursingstudent #ornurse #nurseanesthesia #crnalife #nursepractitioner #medschool #anesthesialife #scrublife #icunurse #hospital #futurecrna #medical #crna #nurse #anesthesia #srna #nurseanesthetist #nurses #surgical #operatingtheatre #medicalstudent #operatingroomnurse #studentnurse #diversitycrna #ccrn #nursepractitioner #APRN #APRNchat #NPchat #midwife #NP
Episodes

Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Where Are We Headed With Healthcare And Providers?
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
Thursday Feb 13, 2025
What does a second Trump term mean for the future of healthcare? In this episode, we sit down with Scott Becker, founder and publisher of Becker’s Healthcare, to break down the potential changes, challenges, and opportunities in the evolving healthcare landscape. With major shifts ahead, understanding how policies may shape healthcare access, quality, and costs is more important than ever.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
What significant policy shifts does Scott anticipate during President Trump’s second term?
Why Medicare Advantage has become a complete debacle.
Are we moving to a two-tiered system and what could that look like?
What do all these changes mean for CRNAs?
Is he hearing about any possible solutions for the workforce problem?
Check out Becker's Hospital Review: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate
Support Team Emma Kate: https://grouprev.com/haloswalk2024-shannon-shannon-brekken

Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Ciprofol Chronicles: The New Star in Procedural Sedation
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
Tuesday Feb 11, 2025
This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Ciprofol, a cutting-edge intravenous anesthetic that has been making headlines in both clinical research and operating rooms worldwide. With its innovative formulation and promising safety profile, Ciprofol is poised to transform the landscape of anesthetic practice.
Join us as we explore how this new drug compares to established agents like propofol and what it could mean for the future of procedural sedation and anesthesia.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
What is Ciprofol, and why are nurse anesthetists buzzing about it?
The reduction in dosage isn’t just about using less drug—it has ripple effects.
What about its pharmacokinetics? Does it have the same quick onset and recovery profile that we’ve come to rely on with Propofol?
How does Ciprofol stack up when it comes to adverse events?
We dissect the study—a randomized, double-blind trial conducted in China.
Is Ciprofol the future?
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate
Support Team Emma Kate: https://grouprev.com/haloswalk2024-shannon-shannon-brekken

Thursday Feb 06, 2025
Seamless Transitions: Improving Intraoperative Anesthesia Handoffs
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
With lives on the line, the smallest misstep in communication can have critical consequences. Patient data gets transferred at the handoff from the preoperative area to the operating room to the postoperative area, but most anesthesia practices have been slow to adopt a standardized approach to sharing this information.
Today’s guest, Pete Montrie, CRNA, DNP, created the AMPLE approach for his DNP project, and he’ll explain how this streamlined process can improve communication and enhance patient safety.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
Why he chose this topic for his DNP at the University of Alabama.
The main issues that the literature identified during these handoffs.
How he developed his project and his plan going in.
The project resulted in a 70% increase in handoffs based on billing data.
Read Pete’s DNP Project: https://ir-api.ua.edu/api/core/bitstreams/fc700ea9-3ec8-44e2-a255-0591ceab4be2/content
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate
Support Team Emma Kate: https://grouprev.com/haloswalk2024-shannon-shannon-brekken

Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Grade 1 View - Ep. 4 - Navigating Relationships in CRNA School
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Tuesday Feb 04, 2025
Relationships are hard enough on their own so how do you find the time and energy to maintain one while also trying to go to CRNA school? Whether you’re just starting a relationship or married, it’s difficult to find balance between academic responsibilities and personal life.
Zach and Kate Bekken are living that experience right now as she navigates her third year as an SRNA at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. They join Olivia and Larry to share their personal experiences and insights on maintaining a healthy relationship amidst the rigors of nursing education.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
The many conversations Kate had over the course of months before making her decision.
Her experience having a mentor and how they pushed them to pursue school.
What it was like for Zach to uproot his life for her career and how they worked through that together.
Why they’ve approached this journey as a business trip.
How are they intentional with their time and how do you manage a long distance relationship?
What are the conversations like as they get near the end of school?
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/
Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Don’t Sleep On Your Dreams: Mastering the Art of the TED Talk
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Thursday Jan 30, 2025
Have you ever been inspired by a TED Talk and wondered whether you could inspire people with your own experience? Today’s guest did just that recently. Johnny Garza, MSN, CRNA, delivered a memorable TED Talk inspired by his practice and a personal story that proves life is too short and we should act on our most vulnerable dreams. He’ll share his experience from that TED Talk and tell us more about this inspirational story.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
What motivated him to take the stage and how did he get a spot in TEDx?
The story of the 25-year-old who inspired this story after he administered her anesthesia.
The stress and emotion of delivering that speech in front of an audience and why anesthesia helps prepare you for this.
What advice would he share with others in this position?
His move from CRNA to being a pilot.
About our guest:
Johnny Garza, MSN, CRNA attended Loma Linda University in Southern California where he completed his Master’s degree in Nurse Anesthesia. He has been practicing independently in Central and Southern California since he graduated in early 2018. As he transitioned into the independent provider role he also found a new passion for education and serves as a clinical associate professor. In addition, he proudly serves on the board of the California Association of Nurse Anesthetists (CANA) and is committed to the success of the profession. Johnny is dedicated and eager to share the knowledge gained with future generations of clinicians and supporting CRNA leadership.
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Processed EEG Monitoring and Outcomes: What is the Evidence?
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
Tuesday Jan 28, 2025
In this episode, hosts Garry and Terry explore the transformative role of processed EEG monitors in anesthesia. EEG, or electroencephalography, has been around for a while, but its application in anesthesia is relatively new and incredibly promising.
They dive into the differences between the two, discussing the benefits and controversies surrounding these technologies. From improving patient safety to optimizing anesthesia depth, discover how processed EEG is changing the landscape of anesthesia care.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
We’ll explain what EEG is and how it's traditionally been used?
Some key differences between Raw EEG interpretation and BIS monitors.
Processed EEG or Bispectral Index (BIS) monitoring is generally recommended during general anesthesia to ensure appropriate depth of anesthesia and to reduce the risk of awareness.
The controversies surrounding EEG monitors.
‘The Triple Low’ phenomenon has gotten attention in the anesthesia community.
The potential benefit of including processed EEG monitors when caring for geriatric patients.
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate
Support Team Emma Kate: https://grouprev.com/haloswalk2024-shannon-shannon-brekken

Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Launching a Medical Device Company with David Gomez
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Thursday Jan 23, 2025
Have you ever dreamed of starting your own medical business but aren’t sure how to bring an idea to life? Today we’re excited to welcome on David Gomez, CRNA, to share his experience of starting a medical device company from the ground up. David's story is one of perseverance and ingenuity, as he transitioned from a nurse anesthetist to an entrepreneur, bringing life-changing medical devices to the forefront of the healthcare industry through Infinitus Medical Technologies.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
What steps did he take to give life to his idea and start the company?
The real obstacles that he faced and the resources he utilized.
The truth behind the patent process and the hurdles that need to be overcome.
What are the commercialization challenges in healthcare?
Can we improve on the way we do things and how long does innovation take to hit the market?
David wanted to share a couple messages:
Thanks to Dan Nash of Maverick, sorry I forgot your name!!
Rm8 shout out to Eric O’Conner and David Anderson.
Learn more about Infinitus Medical Technologies: infinitusmedical.com
Get in touch with David: d.gomez@infinitusmedical.com or 817-454-1516
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate

Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
Tuesday Jan 21, 2025
We’re excited to sit down with a distinguished CRNA and a leader in our profession for our first interview. Jackie Rowles, DNP, CRNA, NSPM-C, FAANA has devoted much of her life to pain management and it’s taken her to the height of the profession. She’s currently the president of the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists and formerly served as the AANA president, making her a pivotal figure in global advocacy and education.
Today she opens up on her fascinating journey through pain management and offers up incredible advice and insight that any young CRNA can benefit from.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
How her father, a surgeon from Iran, inspired her to become a nurse anesthetist.
Her advice for students who want to be more involved in healthcare and leadership positions beyond outside of the operating room.
The different types of fellowships for CRNAs and what that process looks like.
How does CRNA school today compare to what schooling was like when she was going through.
What advice does she have for faculty to ensure students have resources for wellness?
What’s the scope of practice for CRNAs outside of the United States?
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/
Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246