Bernadette Henrichs serves as the Director of CRNA Education and Research in the Department of Anesthesiology and as the Director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Barnes-Jewish College, a program she founded in 2004. While she spends most of her time at the College, she also practices in Pod 5 every Wednesday. Outside of work, Bernadette enjoys cycling, running, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
A Typical Monday at the College
4:30 AM – My alarm goes off. I hit the silent button for three more minutes of sleep before getting up, making coffee, and doing some stretching exercises.
5:30 AM – Head out for my 4-mile run—rain, snow, heat, or cold, I never miss it. Running is the best part of my day, helping me prepare mentally and physically for whatever lies ahead.
6:30 AM – Shower and get dressed for work. I also take a moment to read part of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch before heading out.
7:15 AM – Walk to work. I love that I no longer have an hour-long commute each way; this extra time has been a game-changer.
7:30 AM – Arrive at the office, make coffee, and start answering emails.
8:00 AM – The morning consists of in-person meetings, Teams calls, and preparation for teaching.
12:00 PM – Take a quick walk around the block to get my circulation going—I believe in staying active throughout the day.
12:30 PM – Prep for teaching and simulation. I check in with the simulation specialists to ensure everything is set for the upcoming scenario.
1:00 PM – Class begins. I introduce the scenario, draw a name to select the student who will play the CRNA role, and then we head to the simulated OR. I run the scenario from the control room. As one student put it, “Something bad always happens.” While that’s not entirely true, the simulations do include challenges such as right main stem intubation, hemorrhage, tension pneumothorax, anaphylaxis, hemodynamic instability, and cardiac or respiratory arrest. We also run pediatric and obstetric scenarios, such as a ruptured placenta, thrombocytopenia, cardiac arrest after succinylcholine in a child, and anesthesia for a child with pyloric stenosis.
Afterward, we return to the classroom to debrief. We discuss what went well and what could be improved in a real OR situation, followed by the day’s lecture.
4:00 PM – Lecture wraps up, and I return to my office to grade assignments, review care plans and student evaluations, and answer emails. Some days, I also have meetings at 4:00 or 5:00 PM.
6:00 PM – Continue emails and administrative tasks.
6:30 PM – Walk home, make dinner, and finish reading the Post-Dispatch while I eat.
8:30 PM – Head to bed to ensure a good night’s sleep before another busy day.
Weekends
On Saturdays, I try to ride with my cycling group if the weather cooperates. I also attend my grandsons’ soccer or baseball games in Illinois—there’s almost always one happening. When I can, I visit my daughter and her family in Chicago or my middle son and his family in San Antonio.
Why should women in our department attend the WoW Retreat in April?
I encourage anesthesia providers, including SRNAs, to sign up for the Women of WUDA retreat that is coming up on Saturday, April 5. I have always enjoyed these retreats! It is a great time to mingle with other women from the department, share ideas, participate in activities, eat with them, and laugh with them! There is a connection that cannot be described! It is also being held in a great location! Please sign up and be a part of this great event!