David Eisenbath, CRNA, has graciously agreed to serve as the new Director for CRNA Activities for the Washington University Department of Anesthesiology, effective January 1, 2020. This is a vitally important role, for which Eisenbath is uniquely qualified. He is a highly respected CRNA leader, with an established track record of leadership and service, and with a strong commitment to the department and all its missions.
David is a graduate of St. Louis University School of School of Nursing. After working as an ICU nurse, he was accepted to the highly selective and prestigious Goldfarb School Nurse Anesthesia training program. He excelled as a student, and, on graduation, received the award for clinical excellence. Eisenbath joined our department in 2009, and quickly established himself as an exceptional CRNA, with his calm demeanor, professionalism, teamwork, and clinical acumen. He was appointed as the Assistant Director of CRNA Activities in 2012 and has served in this role for the last eight years.
In the Director role, he will prioritize the delivery of outstanding clinical care, while simultaneously supporting the careers of our CRNAs. Eisenbath will lead strategic planning and goal setting for the CRNAs throughout our department. He will also prioritize CRNA recruitment and retention, as well as mentorship of both SRNAs and early stage CRNAs. Eisenbath will work closely with other departmental leaders to help manage financial, academic and educational issues, and he will partner with the Vice Chairs and Division Chiefs to develop and implement care models and practice parameters for operative and procedural anesthesiology. He will collaborate with colleagues across the department and the BJH system to promote a culture of safety and enhance quality outcomes.
Eisenbath will be receiving the torch from David Potter, CRNA MBA, who has been the Director of CRNA Activities since 2012. Potter has accomplished much as the Director, including impressive recruitment of CRNAs, expansion of the CRNA workforces, successful retention of experienced CRNAs, close partnerships with our SRNA education program, and promotion of collaboration, teamwork, and patient safety. Of particular note, Potter was awarded the highly coveted Washington University School of Medicine Dean’s Distinguished Service Award.
Both Potter and Eisenbath espouse the slogan “the best CRNAs work at Washington University.” In partnership with other leaders in the department, they have also helped to make Washington University the best place for CRNAs to work. Please join us in thanking David Potter for his many contributions as Director. He has poured his heart and soul into this leadership role and has never wavered in his commitment to our CRNAs and our department. He will remain a member of our impressive CRNA workforce, and we are grateful he will continue to be an exemplary member of our clinical team. Join us also in congratulating David Eisenbath, who is excited to assume the mantle of Director and is motivated to build on the strong foundation that has been laid by his mentor, David Potter. We wish both Davids every success!
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