The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) presented the 43rd Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator Award to Bernadette Henrichs, PhD, CRNA, CCRN, CHSE, FAANA, on August 16 at the 2022 AANA Annual Congress in Chicago.
The AANA established the Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator Award in 1980 to honor Helen Lamb, founder and director of Barnes School of Anesthesia from 1929 to 1951. Every year, the award is presented to a CRNA who has made a significant contribution to the education of nurse anesthetists.
“Like the leader that came before her, Helen Lamb, Dr. Bernadette Henrichs 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.”
This award signifies Dr. Henrichs’ commitment to the profession of nurse anesthesia, and to the advancement of educational standards that further the art and science of anesthesiology.
“Helen Lamb paved the way, and I am dedicated to continuing her legacy as far as I possibly can,” says Dr. Henrichs. “I am personally here today because of the passion she instilled in me to become the best CRNA possible, and to uplift, educate, and empower future nurse anesthetists.”
Dr. Henrichs is currently the professor and director of CRNA Education & Research in the Department of Anesthesiology (WUDA), and is also a professor and director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program at the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College. Prior to re-launching the program in 2004, Dr. Henrichs was the clinical coordinator and chief CRNA.
Dr. Henrichs earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and went on to earn a Master of Science in Nursing and a PhD in Educational Studies from Saint Louis University,. Additionally, she received a certificate in nurse anesthesia education from WUDA.
“I have dedicated my life’s work to advancing this profession because I see the critical importance of this role in the anesthesia field,” says Dr. Henrichs. “This award is a true honor that spurs me forward even harder to continue growing our practice by educating nurse anesthetists and providing the highest degree of anesthesia care to all of our patients.”
