It is our pleasure to announce that Erin Herrera, CRNA, has agreed to serve as the Assistant Director for CRNA Activities for the Washington University Department of Anesthesiology, effective January 1, 2020. In this role, Erin will work closely with the Director for CRNA Activities, as well as other departmental leaders, to provide leadership to the CRNA workforce and engage in strategic planning. She will help with CRNA recruitment, retention, career development, and day-to-day clinical operations.
Herrera, a native of St. Louis, began her educational journey at the University of Missouri in Columbia, where she earned two degrees: Bachelor’s in Biology and Bachelor’s in German Language and Literature. She then returned to St. Louis to earn her Bachelor’s in Nursing from the Goldfarb School of Nursing. After graduation, she found her calling working in the CTICUs at Barnes Jewish and NewYork–Presbyterian Hospitals. Eager for the next challenge, Herrera was accepted to the highly selective Goldfarb School of Nursing’s Nurse Anesthesia Program. She was a truly exceptional student and deservedly received numerous accolades. She received the Tsugie Watanabe Excellence in CT Anesthesia award, the Missouri Association of Nurse Anesthetists Student Scholarship award, the Barnes Jewish Hospital Dean’s scholarship, and the Reach Beyond RA Scholarship award. Following graduation, Herrera was enthusiastically recruited to join the Washington University Department of Anesthesiology, where she rapidly proved herself to be a clinical leader and knowledgeable educator.
Driven by her interest in cardiothoracic anesthesia, Herrera has specialized in anesthesia for cardiac, thoracic, vascular and electrophysiological procedures. She is widely admired for her skills, can-do attitude, and collaborative outlook. Herrera has demonstrated strong leadership aptitude. She has served on various committees aimed at cultural transformation, enhancing teamwork, and improving communication among all members of the perioperative team. Herrera has also been a clinical leader in the Anesthesiology Control Tower initiative and recognizes the potential of telehealth to advance the safety of perioperative care.
As the Assistant Director for CRNA Activities, Herrera will partner with David Eisenbath, Director for CRNA Activities, to continuously seek opportunities for improvement and innovation. She will work tirelessly to support all four missions of the department, including the focus on the wellness and growth of each and every member of our community. Please join us in congratulating Erin Herrera on her exciting new leadership position.
Courtney Hardy MD, MBA, FAAP
Vice Chair for Clinical Operations
Washington University Department of Anesthesiology
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
Division of Pediatric Anesthesiology
Michael Avidan, MBBCh, FCASA
Dr. Seymour and Rose T. Brown Professor of Anesthesiology
Head of the Department of Anesthesiology
Anesthesiologist-in-Chief, Barnes-Jewish Hospital