Clinical Instructor of the Year Award
2025 Clinical Instructor of the Year Award
David O’Con, CRNA, DNAP, MHS
The Clinical Instructor of the Year Award, established in 1991, is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the teaching of nurse anesthesia students in the clinical area. This Award recognizes the commitment of individuals to the profession of nurse anesthesia and to the advancement of educational standards that further the art and science of anesthesiology and result in high quality patient care.
With more than 25 years of CRNA experience, O’Con blends clinical expertise with a student-centered approach to teaching. He is the only CRNA graduate of an acute surgical pain fellowship practicing in Louisiana and uses this advanced training in his dual roles as Chief CRNA and site coordinator at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center (NRMC). His leadership has had a transformative impact on Northwestern State University RRNAs and he is often referred to as an “invaluable resource” by students and colleagues alike. According to a colleague, RRNAs “finish their rotation at his hospital light-years ahead of their peers” due to his deep investment in their learning and professional development.
With more than 25 years of experience, O’Con blends clinical expertise with a student-centered approach to teaching. He is the only CRNA graduate of an acute surgical pain fellowship practicing in Louisiana and uses this advanced training in his dual roles as Chief CRNA and site coordinator at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center (NRMC). His leadership has had a transformative impact on Northwestern State University RRNAs and he is often referred to as an “invaluable resource” by students and colleagues alike. According to a colleague, RRNAs “finish their rotation at his hospital light-years ahead of their peers” due to his deep investment in their learning and professional development.
O’Con is known for his dedication to going above and beyond for his students. According to one of his students, he “sets the bar for what a clinical instructor should be.” He routinely offers lectures on regional anesthesia during their didactic phase, often on his own time and at his own expense. He has also developed original classroom materials to supplement his lectures and enhance student understanding. One student remarks, “Dr. O’Con is revered among his peers, serves as a knowledge source on numerous topics, and is an incredibly dedicated anesthesia provider with a passion for success in the clinical setting.”
In his nomination, a student shares: “The person who deserves ‘Clinical Instructor of the Year’ must be a person whose primary goal is the success of the students. A person who is patient, informative, selfless, and constructive. When I think of that person, I think of Dr. David O’Con.”
Beyond his contributions to the education of Louisiana RRNAs, O’Con is also a leader and advocate for the nurse anesthesiology profession. He currently serves as president of the Louisiana Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (LANA), having previously held various roles on its Board of Directors. He continues to work as a practicing CRNA at NRMC.
Reflecting on his career and service, O’Con shares, “Only a prepared pessimist can be optimistic about the future.” This mindset has guided his efforts to champion both innovation and preparedness across education and clinical practice.
O’Con received both his Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Health Science in Nurse Anesthesia degrees from Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas. Additionally, he completed a fellowship in acute surgical pain at Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia in Madison, Tenn.
