Happy Veterans Day to all who have served or are serving in our nation’s military!

Did you know that certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs)often have a strong connection to the military? CRNAs are registered nurses who specialize in administering anesthesia and related care.

“CRNAs’ versatility, education, and training has made them the predominant providers of anesthesia care in the U.S. military since the Civil War,” according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.

In the military, CRNAs serve on forward teams on the front lines, on ships, and on aircraft evacuation teams around the globe, utilizing the full range of their skills.

At WellSpan, they serve in our operating rooms and other sites, including cardiology and gastroenterology labs as well as labor and delivery suites.

We thank them, and the almost 760 team members who have served or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, for their service to our country and to our patients!

Meet some of our CRNAs who have a military background (pictured from left in the accompanying photos).

In the East Region:

• Matt Uber was a lieutenant colonel who served 21 years in the U.S. Air Force.
• Michelle Nyamekye is a lieutenant colonel in her 27^th year, serving with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Medical Readiness Detachment.

In the Central Region:

• Christopher Smith was a captain who served 12 years in the U.S. Army.
• Brock Martin was a captain who served 14 years in the Air National Guard.
• George Haritos was a major who served 25 years active duty, and two years reserve duty in the U.S. Air Force. 
• Stephen Cattalo was a major who served 11 active years and four years in the reserve in the U.S. Army. 

In the West Region:

• Brian Keller was a captain who served 11 years in the U.S. Army.
• Lai Ng was a major who served 16 years in the U.S. Air Force.
• Kris Wagner was a petty officer third class who served five years in the U.S. Navy.
• Mike Powell was a lieutenant colonel who served more than 23 years in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Army.

In the North Region:

At Evangelical Community Hospital, which joined WellSpan in July:

• Colleen Fritz served 10 years in the U.S. Army.
• Raymond Tomaszewski served more than 20 years in the U.S. Navy.