UA nursing prof named clinician of the year

Brian Radesic, associate director of The University of Akron's Nurse Anesthesia program, has been named 2011 Clinical Instructor of the Year by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).

Radesic, who recently defended his dissertation for his Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Case Western Reserve University, will receive his award in August at the AANA’s annual meeting in Boston.

"I see myself as a clinician who loves to educate," says Radesic. "The clinical arena has been my classroom for 16 years, and I take pride in my ability to incorporate current practice issues into the curriculum so my students are prepared to provide high quality patient care."

Contributing to his field

Radesic serves a mentor and role model for his students, and keeps his finger on the pulse of current research, regularly contributing his own research to the nurse anesthesia field. His article, "Examining the ease of intubation using the Parker Flex-Tip® or a Standard Mallinckrodt® Endotracheal Tube using the GlideScope®" was accepted for publication in the AANA Journal. Radesic has significant interest in improved airway management through enhanced specialized supplies and equipment.

Radesic's influence on his students is evident. In 2010, UA nursing graduates who took the National Certification Examination had a 100 percent first-time pass-rate. The national pass-rate was 85.3 percent. Also, one of his graduates earned the highest overall score in the nation. Radesic acknowledges the tremendous support he has received from the College of Nursing faculty and from the program director, Charles R. Barton, who has headed UA's program since 1995, the same year Radesic graduated from the anesthesia program.

Media contact: Sarah Lane, 330-972-7429 or slane@.uakron.edu.