Faculty Honors and Awards
Nicholas Bircher, MD, FCCM
Professor
| 2018 | Selected as Co-Chair, Glycemic Control Task Force, American College of Critical Care Medicine |
| 2014 | Elected to Fellowship, Institute of Systems Wisdom, Philadelphia, PA |
| 2012 | Invited Speaker, 10th China-International Modern Emergency and Disaster Medicine Forum 2012, Beijing, China |
| 2012 | Presidential Citation, Society of Critical Care Medicine |
| 2011 | Presidential Citation, Society of Critical Care Medicine |
| 2011 | Winner, Outstanding Service Award, University Senate, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA |
| 2010 | Presidential Citation, Society of Critical Care Medicine |
| 2010 | Appointed to Special Task Force for the Reshaping the System of Survival for Sudden Cardiac Arrest, Center for Organizational Dynamics, School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA |
| 2009 | Presidential Citation, Society of Critical Care Medicine |
| 2008 | Invited Speaker, Consensus on Outcomes for Resuscitation Science Conference, American Heart Association, Washington, D.C. |
| 2007 | Invited Speaker, “Hypothermia after TBI 2007,” It’s Hip to Be Cool: Hypothermia and the Injured Brain, Society of Neurosurgical Anesthesia & Critical Care Breakfast Panel, American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting |
| 2005 | Invited Science Expert, International Consensus Conference on Emergency Cardiac Care and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Science with Treatment Recommendations (C2005), International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation and American Heart Association, Dallas, TX |
| 2005 | Selected as Co-Chair, Glycemic Control Task Force, American College of Critical Care Medicine |
| 2003 | Invited Expert, Wolf Creek VII Conference of Resuscitation Researchers, Palm Springs, June, 2003 |
| 2002 | Invited Topic Expert, American Heart Association, Conference on CPR and ECC, Dallas, October, 2002 |
| 2000 | Invited Topic Expert, American Heart Association, International Guidelines 2000 Conference on CPR and ECC, Dallas |
| 2000 | Invited International Expert, Cerebral Acidosis, Post resuscitative and Initial Utility in Life Saving Efforts, National Institutes of Health, Reston, VA |
| 2000 | Stephen C. Finestone Clinical Instructor Award, Nurse Anesthesia Program, Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh |
| 1999 | Invited Topic Expert, American Heart Association, Second International Evidence Evaluation Conference, Dallas |
| 1998 | Invited International Expert, Pan American Congress on Emergency Medicine and Disasters, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Costa Rica and World Association for Emergency and Disaster Medicine, San Jose |
| 1997 | Co-recipient, Second Place, Research Division, Mary Hanna Memorial Journalism Award, Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing |
| 1996 | Consultant Reviewer, National American Heart Association Lung and Development Grant-in-Aid Committee |
| 1996 | Invited Speaker, Wolf Creek IV Conference of Resuscitation Researchers, Palm Springs |
| 1996 | Appointed to Medical/Educational Advisory Board, Early Defibrillation Program, Catalyst Research and Communications, Carmel, IN |
| 1996 | Visiting Professor, Seventh International Course on Intensive Care "Jose Manuel Velasco Silez," Hospital Magdalena de las Salinas, Mexico City, Mexico |
| 1996 | Certificate of Recognition and Honorary Medical Staff Appointment, Hospital Juarez de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico |
| 1996 | Invited Speaker, 25th Annual Educational and Scientific Symposium, Society of Critical Care Medicine, New Orleans, LA |
| 1994 | Honored Faculty Member, Honors Convocation, University of Pittsburgh, |
| 1994 | Invited Guest-of-Honor, Seventh Annual Trauma Anesthesia and Critical Care Symposium, Paris |
| 1994 | Appointed to Medical Advisory Board, Laerdal Medical Corporation USA, Armonk, NY |
| 1994 | Faculty Opponent, Doctoral Thesis Defense, Faculty of Medicine, University of Uppsala, Sweden |
| 1994 | Invited Commentator, Session on Waiver of Consent in Emergency Research, Changes and Choices for Institutional Review Boards: The Inclusion of Women and Minorities, and Other Emerging Issues in Research, Sponsored by Public Responsibility in Medicine & Research (PRIM&R), Boston |
| 1993 | Honored Faculty Member, Honors Convocation, University of Pittsburgh |
| 1993 | Elected to Membership in the Association of University Anesthesiologists |
| 1993 | Visiting Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, Rush Presbyterian St. Luke Medical Center, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL |
| 1992 | Fellow, American College of Critical Care Medicine |
| 1992 | Honored Faculty Member, Honors Convocation, University of Pittsburgh |
| 1991 | Invited Expert, United States Department of Transportation Conference on Bystander Care, Miami, FL |
| 1991 | Appointed to International Scientific Advisory Board, Eighth World Congress on Emergency and Disaster Medicine |
| 1991 | Co-Chairman with Vladimir Negovsky, Scientific Session 16.1, "Mechanisms and Methods of Correction of Post-resuscitation Pathology," Constituent Congress, International Society for Pathophysiology, Moscow, USSR |
| 1988 | Invited Guest of Honor, 1st Annual Trauma Anesthesia and Critical Care Symposium, Washington, D.C. |
| 1989 | Moderator, Section on Disaster Medicine, International Emergency/Disaster Medicine Symposium, Beijing, China |
| 1988 | CPR Program Appreciation Award (Basic Life Support Affiliate Faculty), Montgomery County Division, Maryland Affiliate, American Heart Association, Bethesda, MD |
| 1988 | Navy Commendation Medal (Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Programs) |
| 1988 | Letter of Appreciation, Naval Reserve Readiness Command Region Six, Washington, D.C. |
| 1986 | Navy Achievement Medal (Quality Assurance) |
| 1985 | Appointed to Committee on Critical Care, American College of Emergency Physicians |
| 1985 | Command Commendation for Quality Assurance, Naval Hospital, Bethesda, MD |
| 1985 | Certificate of Appreciation, 1985 Armed Forces Inaugural Committee |
| 1984 | Appointed to World Federation of Societies of Anesthesiologists CPCR Committee |
| 1984 | Appointed to Disaster Planning Committee, Allegheny County Emergency Medical Services Council |
| 1984 | Invited Expert, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Planning Conference on Emergency Health and Medical Training for Disasters and Mass Casualty Incidents, November |
Megan Dill, DNAP, MSN, CRNA
Interim Chair, Interim Director, Assistant Professor
| 2010–2011 | PANA District V, Recruitment Chair |
| 2009–2010 | PANA District V, President |
| 2009 | PANA District V, President-Elect |
| 2003–2008 | PANA District V Trustee |
Bettina Dixon, DNP, MSN, CRNA, CHSE
Professor
| 2023–present | Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator certification, SSIH |
| 2019–2021 | Trustee, Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists |
| 2018–2020 | HAI Advisory Panel member, Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority |
| 2018 | University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Cameos of Caring Advanced Practice (clinical focus) |
| 2018 | Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania, Doctor or Nursing Practice Winner |
| 2015 | Patient Safety Fellowship from the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative |
| 2007–2008 | Chair, PR committee, Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists |
| 2005–2007 | Trustee, Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists fand Chair, PR committee |
| 2003 | Dean’s Distinguished Teaching Award from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing |
| 2000 | Didactic Instructor of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists |
| 1989 | Excellence in Clinical Teaching and Outstanding Contributions to Professional Growth, presented by the University Health Center of Pittsburgh School of Anesthesia for Nurses |
Joseph Goode, PhD, MSN, CRNA, CHSE
Vice Chair for Research & Scholarship, Associate Professor
| 2016 | Margaret E. Wilkes Scholarship Fund Award, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Simulation in Nursing: Historical Analysis and Theoretical Modeling in Support of a Targeted Clinical Training Intervention. Award Amount: $4000 |
| 2009 | Eta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau Leadership in Nursing Award |
| 2009 | 3rd Place, Junior Scientist Division. Goode, Jr JS, Ranier R, Klain M, Schwartzman D, Buffington CW; The Use of High Frequency Jet Ventilation for Posterior Left Atrial Ablation. Poster presented at the 1st Annual University of Pittsburgh Anesthesiology Research Day, Pittsburgh, PA |
| 2006 | 2006 Pennsylvania Didactic Instructor of the Year (co-awarded). Presented by Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists |
| 2004 | 2004 Pennsylvania CRNA Clinician of the Year. Presented by Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists |
Richard Henker, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, FAANA
Professor
| 2024 | Visiting Faculty, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan Taiwan |
| 2024 | Reviewer, United Nations SURGhub Modules, Global Surgery Foundation |
| 2023 | Founders Award, Dorothy Garrigus Adams Award for Excellence in Service. Sigma |
| 2023 | FHI 360 Consultant Pre-service Bachelor’s Degree Curriculum for Nursing Schools in Cambodia |
| 2023–2026 | Chair, International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists Practice Committee |
| 2022–2026 | International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists, Practice Committee |
| 2022–2024 | Editorial Board, Critical Care Explorations |
| 2022–2024 | Secretary, The Global Alliance for Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma and Anaesthesia Care - G4 Alliance Permanent Council |
| 2022 | FHI 360 Consultant, Pre-service Diploma Curriculum for Nursing Schools in Cambodia |
| 2021–present | Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, AANA |
| 2020–2024 | Visiting Professor, Keio University, Tokyo Japan |
| 2019–present | Board of Directors G4 Alliance |
| 2019–2024 | Chair or Co-Chair, Planning Committee – Biannual Permanent Council Meetings, The Global Alliance for Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma and Anaesthesia Care 2024 – Peshawar, Pakistan 2024 – Geneva, Switzerland 2023 – Bauru, Brazil 2023 – Geneva, Switzerland 2022 – Dublin, Ireland 2022 – Geneva, Switzerland 2020 & 2021 – Virtual 2019 – Manila, Philippines |
| 2019 | Nurse Influencer, Recognizing 100 nurses with ties to UW. University of Washington School of Nursing Centennial Celebration |
| 2018 | Honoree, Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania 1st Annual Gala, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
| 2018 | Visiting Professor funded by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita Japan |
| 2018 | Luther Christman Award, American Nurses Association |
| 2017–present | AANA representative for The Global Alliance for Surgical, Obstetric, Trauma and Anesthesia Care |
| 2017 | Cameos of Caring Award Winner, UPMC Advanced Practice Nurse |
| 2017 | Sheth Distinguished Faculty Award for International Achievement. University Center for International Studies. University of Pittsburgh |
| 2016 | Janice Drake Humanitarian Award AANA, Washington D.C. |
| 2016–2023 | Secretary of Board of Directors, Health Volunteers Overseas |
| 2015–2025 | Board of Directors, Health Volunteers Overseas |
| 2015–2016 | Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs - International Issues Special Interest Group |
| 2015–present | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Reviewer |
| 2014 | Visiting Professor, Mahidol University, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok Thailand |
| 2014 | Visiting Professor, Nakon Phanom University, Nakon Phanom Thailand |
| 2014–2016 | Co-Chair, American Nurses Association Committee on Nursing Practice Standards and Guidelines |
| 2010 | Visiting Professor, Harbin Medical University, Harbin China |
| 2009 | Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing |
| 2009 | Golden Apple Award, Health Volunteers Overseas, Washington D.C. |
| 2009–2017 | American Nurses Association Committee on Nursing Practice Standards and Guidelines |
| 2006 | Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award, University of Pittsburgh |
| 2005–present | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Onsite Reviewer |
| 2005 | Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Alumni Association |
| 2004 | Didactic Instructor of the Year, Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists |
| 2000 | Presidential Citation, Society of Critical Care Medicine |
| 1998 | Dean’s Distinguished Teaching Award, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing |
| 1995 | Micromedex/ENA Foundation Best Emergency Nursing Research Award |
| 1987 | Excellence in Clinical Practice, Sigma Theta Tau, Beta Mu Chapter |
John O'Donnell, DrPH, CRNA, CHSE, FSSH, FAANA, FAAN, CHSE
Senior Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning, Past Chair
| 2024 | US News and World Report, #2 Ranking for Nurse Anesthesia DNP Programs, #1 civilian program |
| 2024 |
Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) Presidential Service Award Presented at the International Meeting for Simulation in Healthcare (IMSH), San Diego, CA |
| 2023 |
Sigma Theta Tau International: Lucy S. Kelly Mentoring Award Presented at the Sigma Theta Tau Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX |
| 2023 | President (elected) Council on Accreditation (COA) Educational Programs |
| 2022 | Vice President (elected) Council on Accreditation (COA) of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs |
| 2022 | Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) |
| 2021 | Fellow, American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FAANA), Member of inaugural fellows’ class, AANA Foundation |
| 2020–present | Senior Associate Director, WISER |
| 2020–present | Associate Director, WISER Simulation Fellowship |
| 2020–2024 | Visiting Professor, Taipei Medical University |
| 2020–2023 | Elected Educator Director, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs |
| 2020–2022 | Treasurer, Society for Simulation in Healthcare |
| 2019–2022 | Finance Committee Chair, Society for Simulation in Healthcare |
| 2019–2020 | Co-Chair, Meetings Oversight Commission, Society for Simulation in Healthcare |
| 2019 | Fellow, Society for Simulation in Healthcare Academy (one of 2 US CRNAs) |
| 2019–2020 | Founding member, AANA Simulation Sub-Committee |
| 2018 | Carlow University Alumni Laureate |
| 2018–2020 | Visiting Scholar, Siri Raj Hospital, Mahidol University |
| 2017–present | Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator certification, SSIH |
| 2017 | Selected by Chancellor Gallagher to present the BodyExplorer Project at the ACCelerate Exhibition, Smithsonian Institute |
| 2017 | Pittsburgh Magazine Nurse Educator of the Year |
| 2017 | PA State Board of Nursing Chair Advanced Practice Committee |
| 2017 | Appointed by Provost to ACIE Learning Management System Review Committee |
| 2017 | Faculty Honoree, Taipei Medical University, Center for Education and Simulation (CEMS) Grand Opening Ceremony |
| 2017 | Co-Chair IMSH International Meeting |
| 2017 | 1st Place, Technology Showcase IMSH International Meeting, Body Explorer System (Doug Nelson PI) |
| 2017 | Invitee, American Heart Association Resuscitation Education Summit |
| 2017 | Recipient of the Chancellor’s Innovation Commercialization Fund (Body Explorer: Augmented Reality Simulator) ($35,000) |
| 2017 | Plenary Speaker, American Heart Association ECC Educational Consensus Conference |
| 2016 | 1st place University of Pittsburgh Medical Education Abstract Competition (Andy Musits PI) |
| 2017 | AANA Anesthesia Payment and Policy Specialist Panel (APPSP) |
| 2016–present | Frank J. Tornetta/LaSalle University/Einstein Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program Advisory Board |
| 2015–2019 | Visiting Professor, Taipei Medical University |
| 2014 | PA State Board of Nursing |
| 2011 | Chancellors Distinguished Teaching Award University of Pittsburgh |
| 2010 | University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Cameos of Caring |
| 2009 | Lifetime alumnus, University of Pittsburgh |
| 2009 | Outstanding Dissertation University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health Department of Epidemiology |
| 2009 | Ake Grenvik Award for Excellence in Education and Assessment in Simulation (WISER) |
| 2006 | National Program Director of the Year 2006, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Presented at 75th annual meeting |
| 2006 | Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Alumni Association |