When you look at areas of the nurse anesthesia profession that need improvement, diversity would be near the top of that list. Thanks to Dr. Lena Gould, EdD, CRNA, FAAN, there’s a mentorship program in place that is helping facilitate entry into the profession for people of color. Today we’ll spotlight that work that’s being done, share Dr. Gould’s incredible journey to this point, and discuss ways to keep increasing diversity in the operating room.

Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-117-a-hand-up-how-dr-lena-gould-edd-crna-faan-is-improving-diversity-in-nurse-anesthesia/2814/ 

Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

What we discuss on this episode: 

2:17 – Welcome our guest today, Lena Gould. 

6:47 – Her first trip to an AANA annual meeting 

9:26 – How education saved her during homelessness 

14:54 – HRSA grant

18:58 – The beginning of the diversity and mentorship program

23:49 – How she found out about nurse anesthesia

27:47 – Stats on nurses of color

31:38 – Financial barrier to entry

38:33 – An equity issue 

40:18 – Lightning Round