Palm Springs Oasis in the Desert Encore Symposium 2027

Erin E. Martin, CRNA, APRN, DNP

Ionela Morosanu, DNP, MS, CRNA

Dr. Ionela Morosanu is a Staff Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Clinical Center***. In this capacity, she administers anesthesia for human clinical trials and complex medical procedures that contribute to the advancement of patient care. Her work ensures the safe and effective delivery of anesthesia services that support the Center's research mission. Before joining NIH, Morosanu practiced at the University of Maryland Medical Center, where she focused on high-acuity cases including complex vascular, thoracic, neurosurgical, and transplant surgeries. There, as a committee member of the Morbidity, Mortality, and Process Improvement Committee, she played an active role in analyzing clinical outcomes and implementing quality improvement initiatives.

She contributes to the education of future CRNAs through guest lectures at Georgetown University's DNAP Program.

Ionela earned her Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia from Georgetown University and completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at the University of Maryland.

***Dr. Ionela Morosanu is speaking in a personal capacity and not as a federal employee or representative of the NIH.

Kimberly Westra, DNP, MSN, APRN, MBA, CRNA

Dr. Kimberly Westra has been a practicing nurse anesthetist for over 20 years in settings ranging from a level one trauma center to a rural regional medical center. Kimberly practices in diverse settings, including as a solo practitioner, team care model, and as an academic adjunct faculty at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Mrs. Westra is the Chief Nurse Anesthetist at Bayhealth Medical Center on the Delmarva Peninsula. Kimberly is the sole proprietor of Atlantic Specialty Services, serving Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania in ambulatory settings.

Mrs. Westra is the Chairperson for the Maryland Association of Nurse Anesthetists PAC and has been an active AANA member since 1999. Kimberly enjoys working to advance the future of nurse anesthesia through education as part of the University of Pennsylvania academic team.

Kimberly Westra has worked in education and mentorship programs, working with rising stars from high school students to medical providers in training to support the future of healthcare.

The Encore Faculty Team