David Potter, Director of CRNA Activities, is the Winner of the Washington University School of Medicine Dean’s Distinguished Service Award for 2018.
Prior to his career in anesthesiology, David Potter served in the US Navy from 1978 – 1984 as Department Supervisor and Sonar Technician. He returned to school after the Navy and graduated Valedictorian from the University of Missouri in St. Louis School of Nursing. After working 5 years in the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit, he returned to school to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). He completed his nurse anesthesiology training in 1993 at the Washington University Nurse Anesthesia Program, then went on to get his MBA/Health Care Management degree in 2004 from the University of Phoenix. He worked for 12 years in private practice anesthesiology groups before returning to the Washington University Department of Anesthesiology in 2005. He was attracted back to Washington University because he “enjoys challenges and doing complex cases in a highly supportive environment”. He became Assistant Director of CRNAs in 2006, and later became Director of Clinical CRNA Activities in 2012. His time as Director is split between administering anesthesia in vascular and thoracic cases and also managing a “world class team of CRNAs” at various locations served by the department. He greatly enjoys family life with his wife Angie, a hospice nurse, his son Blake who is studying Information Systems, and his daughter Rachel who plans to become a CRNA. In his words, “In so many ways, God has blessed me beyond belief”.
The Dean’s Distinguished Service Award is the highest form of staff recognition at the School of Medicine. The award recognizes an employee for displaying ongoing commitment to exceeding job responsibilities, helping to create a positive working environment, and improving the community in which he or she lives.