YSU’s Doctoral Nursing Program celebrates its first graduating cohort

YSU and St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists celebrated the first cohort of doctoral student graduates from the Nurse Anesthesia Program since the program unveiling in August 2020, during a graduation ceremony held at Bon Secours Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Originally founded in 1947 as a certificate program, the Nurse Anesthesia Program at St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists has undergone significant transformations since its original establishment. In the early 2000s, the program officially began its academic affiliation with YSU.

John Underwood, program director, credits the enduring partnership between Bon Secours Mercy Health and the University as, “A pivotal aspect of the program's history”, which hosts its own graduation ceremony on the premises as a homage to its graduates.

Underwood credited the collaborative efforts between students, faculty and staff for its success. “This continued partnership between the hospital and University has provided students with access to clinical experiences, enabling them to surpass national standards in anesthesia education,” Underwood said.

“The graduates of this St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists and Youngstown State University Nurse Anesthesia Program are poised to make significant contributions to the field of anesthesia, embodying the program's commitment to excellence, innovation, and compassionate patient care.”

The graduating cohort will also attend the YSU graduation ceremony on May 4 as a part of the College of Graduate Studies.