UA students and faculty members receive prestigious awards from the Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists 

Two individuals representing The University of Akron (UA) were honored by the Ohio State Association on Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) at its 2025 annual conference. Student Demetra Koutras, a recent Ohio State University nursing graduate and Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist (SRNA) who is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) degree at UA to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), has been awarded the 2025 Student of the Year Award. Kaitlin Vazquez, D.N.P., CRNA, assistant director of UA’s Nurse Anesthesia Program and assistant professor of instruction, received the 2025 Educator of the Year Award.

Housed in the College of Health and Human Sciences’ School of Nursing, UA’s CRNA program is the largest program of its kind in the state, and is well known for its rigorous curriculum, high certification pass rate, strong clinical partnerships across the region and for having the state’s only anesthesia-dedicated simulation surgical suite. Over the last decade the program’s cumulative pass rate for graduates was more than 98%, certification pass rate for first-time takers was 98% and employment six months after graduation was an impressive 100%. Graduates of the program consistently earn top marks on licensure exams and go on to serve in high-impact roles in hospitals and critical care settings.

OSANA is a statewide organization dedicated to advancing education, excellence and advocacy for nurseanesthesiology by representing more than 2,800 CRNAs and SRNAs. Each year, OSANA celebrates students and educators who uphold this standard by handing out five awards: Student of the Year, Faculty of the Year, Educator of the Year, CRNA of the Year and Living Legend of the Year. 

The Student of the Year, which was first awarded in 2023, is given to a student who demonstrates commitment to the profession of nursing anesthesia and persistence in advancing the art of science anesthesia. Since the award’s creation, two of the three recipients have been UA students.

“Being recognized for OSANA’s Student of the Year award is a privilege. But for me, this isn’t a personal achievement — it’s a reflection of the outstanding education and guidance I’ve received from the faculty and staff at The University of Akron,” said Koutras.  “Everything I’ve learned and accomplished is a direct result of their efforts, and I am simply a reflection of all they have taught me. I am deeply grateful to be part of such an amazing program.”

The Educator of the Year award was conceptualized in 2018 by the Ohio Nurse Anesthetists Student Board with the intention of recognizing a CRNA educator who has excelled in their teaching methods and mentorship.Similar to the Student of the Year award, UA faculty have seen significant success, receiving five of the seven awards since its creation.

“I can’t begin to explain how honored I am to receive this award,” said Vazquez. “The nominations for this award come from students, and a student board from multiple universities selects the winner. It means even more because it was my students who nominated me. I am speechless. Winning this award means that I am making a difference for my students, and that makes it all worth it.”

In previous years, UA students and faculty have achieved success in the Student of the Year and Educator of the Year awards. The list below shows individuals from UA who have received either award. 

Student of the Year: 

• 2023: Parker Henderson, B.S.N., SRNA
• 2025: Demetra Koutras, B.S.N., SRNA 

Educator of the Year: 

• 2019: Brian Radesic, D.N.P., M.S.N., CRNA, Director Nurse Anesthesia Track 
• 2020: Kelly Pond, D.N.P., M.S.N., CRNA
• 2022: Melody Betts, D.N.P., M.S.N., CRNA
• 2024: Sean Moore, D.N.P., M.S.N., CRNA, Assistant Director, Associate Professor of Instruction
• 2025: Kaitlin Vazquez, D.N.P., M.S.N., CRNA   

The CRNA program continues to produce highly skilled, compassionate nurse anesthetists who are shaping the future of health care. For more information on UA’s CRNA program, please visit https://www.uakron.edu/nursing/academic-programs/graduate-programs/msn/anesthesia.dot

For more information on OSANA and the OSANA conference, please visit their website https://www.osana.org/.

Media contact: Cristine Boyd 330-972-6476; cboyd@uakron.edu