White Coat Ceremony Scenes from Inspiring and Expanding SIUE School of Nursing Anesthesia Program
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing (SON) Nurse Anesthesia Program held its sixth annual White Coat Ceremony on January 9, celebrating 32 members of the Class of 2026 entering the clinical arena.
“The original symbolism of the donning of the white coat dates back to the nineteenth century, when physicians desired to lend a more scientific approach to the practice of medicine. This coat represents all the greatness they are bound for, but also of all the challenges they have already overcome,” said Leah M. Baecht, DNP, CRNA, APRN, program director and assistant professor in SON Department of Nurse Anesthesiology. “We continue to see a strong interest in our program from applicants all across the county, having around four qualified candidates per one program seat.”
“This May we will increase the programs enrollment to 40 students per cohort in an effort to meet the healthcare demands of the community partners we serve.”
SIUE’s Nurse Anesthesia Program boasts almost 60 clinical sites, giving the nurse anesthesia doctoral (DNP) candidates an opportunity to experience all anesthesia models and various levels of facilities. Faculty members are practicing clinicians in diverse areas of anesthesia.
“The White Coat Ceremony is an inspiring event for the students, families, faculty, and me,” said Judy Liesveld, PhD, RN, PPCNP-BC, CNE, FAAN, dean of SON. “I enjoy hearing about the students' journeys and careers that brought them to the Nurse Anesthesia Program. I am excited as they start their clinical experience and continue their coursework. We will have 32 very well-prepared, caring, and dedicated nurse anesthetists!”
The nurse anesthesia DNP specialization prepares registered nurses with baccalaureate or graduate degrees in nursing to provide individualized anesthetic patient care for surgical, diagnostic, therapeutic or pain management procedures. Courses and clinical experiences meet or exceed the standards of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Program (COA).
PHOTOS: The SIUE School of Nursing recognized 32 nurse anesthesia doctoral candidates during a recent White Coat Ceremony. Photos by Howard Ash.
