Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator Award
2023 Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator Award
Susan Parry McMullan, PhD, CRNA, CNE, CHSE, FAANA, FAAN
The Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator Award, established in 1980, is presented to a CRNA who has made a significant contribution to the education of nurse anesthetists. The award recognizes the individual’s commitment 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.
The award was established to honor of Helen Lamb (1900-1979), founder and director of Barnes School of Anesthesia in St. Louis from 1929 to 1951. She chaired the AANA Education Committee from 1931 through 1939 and established the curriculum and minimum standards for schools of nurse anesthesia. She pioneered the endotracheal technique in lung surgery and performed the anesthetic for the world’s first successful pneumonectomy. Lamb served as president of the AANA from 1940 to 1942.
Throughout her 35 years as a CRNA, including 12 years in nurse anesthesia education, Susan has made a tremendous contribution to the education of CRNAs and a meaningful impact on the profession of nurse anesthesiology.
Currently an associate professor and director of the Nurse Anesthesia program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Susan has made significant improvements in making a positive impact on the nurse anesthesia workforce in the southeast. Under her leadership, the UAB program successfully transitioned from a Master of Science in Nursing to the Bachelor of Science -Doctor of Nursing Practice program of study, graduating the first doctoral prepared class of nurse anesthetists in 2020 during the height of the pandemic.
In addition to improving the CRNA workforce numbers, McMullan is passionate about increasing the diversity of the CRNA workforce. Through her leadership and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, she participated in the inaugural Leadership Excel and Achievement Program, working with Case Western University to increase and sustain diversity in the nurse anesthesia profession.
“Like the leader that came before her, Helen Lamb, Dr. Susan McMullan unambiguously represents everything a nurse anesthetist should aspire to be,” her nomination said. “She is passionate about and devoted to uplifting the nurse anesthesia profession through educating and cultivating nurse anesthesia leaders.”
For her commitment to advancing nurse anesthesiology education and more, , the AANA members and Board of Directors are honored to present you with the 2023 Helen Lamb Award.
