News & Publications

Nurse Anesthesiology Program ranked in U.S. News & World Report

ALBANY, N.Y., March 30, 2007 -- Albany Medical College is ranked sixth in U.S. News & World Report magazine's current (2008) edition of "America's Best Graduate Schools" in the category of nurse anesthesiology.

The America's Best Graduate Schools publication is an exclusive ranking of more than 1,000 graduate school programs. Rankings are based solely on the results of peer assessment surveys sent to deans, other administrators, and/or faculty at accredited degree programs or schools in each discipline. Highlights of rankings are scheduled for publication in the April 9 edition of the magazine. The America's Best Graduate Schools guidebook goes on sale on April 3.

Albany Med tied for sixth place on the list of the top 15 nurse anesthesiology programs, ranking higher than such notable programs as Baylor College of Medicine and Wake Forest University. Overall, there are about 100 nurse anesthesiology programs in the United States.

"This gem of a program has made us proud time and again," said Vincent Verdile, M.D., dean of the Medical College and executive vice president for health affairs. "This national recognition is certainly well deserved."

"Because of the strong program and the wonderful support it receives from Albany Medical College, the Capital Region benefits from having access to some of the nation's finest nurse anesthetists," said Kathleen M. O'Donnell, C.R.N.A., Ph.D., program director.

The Center for Nurse Anesthesiology at Albany Med opened in 1951. The 26-month program combines classroom and clinical operating room experience and offers a master's of science degree. There are about 15 full-time students in the program each year.

The Center is staffed by Dr. O'Donnell, Denise Martin-Sheridan, C.R.N.A., Ph.D., associate graduate director, Sonja Myers, C.R.N.A., M.S., graduate clinical director, and Lynne VanWormer, C.R.N.A., M.S.N., assistant graduate clinical director. Students are mentored by members of Albany Med's anesthesiology team, which includes anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists.

Albany Medical Center is northeastern New York's only academic health sciences center. It consists of Albany Medical College, Albany Medical Center Hospital and the Albany Medical Center Foundation, Inc.