Melissa Bennett
University of Washington Medical Center
Lopez Island,WA
1
Certification
27
years of professional experience
Senior Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist experienced in managing anesthesia for complex surgical cases while ensuring patient safety and comfort. Delivered positive patient outcomes through advanced clinical skills and effective teamwork in high-pressure operating room environments. Focused on adapting to rapidly changing situations and fostering collaboration among surgical teams.
Work History
Senior CRNA, Department of Anesthesia
21 Years 7 Months- Provide comprehensive anesthesia care within a tertiary academic medical center for complex surgical patients, caring for ASA I–VI patients, with approximately 80% ASA III or greater.
- Provide comprehensive general and neuraxial anesthesia across a broad range of surgical specialties and high-acuity procedures.
- Contributed to the Structural Cardiac Procedure Team, gaining extensive experience in complex structural heart and cardiothoracic procedures.
- Delivered anesthesia care for patients with significant medical complexity, including cardiovascular disease, oncology, and neurologic conditions, ensuring optimal outcomes.
- Perform and manage invasive hemodynamic monitoring, including arterial lines, central venous catheters, Swan-Ganz catheters, and continuous cardiac output monitoring.
- Trained clinicians in CVC simulation, delivering procedural education and clinical training.
- Trained teams in UW OB crisis simulations, enhancing multidisciplinary emergency preparedness and clinical education.
- Acted as a CRNA representative for Continuous Quality Improvement, contributing to initiatives in clinical quality, patient safety, and practice improvement.
- Recognized for clinical excellence, leadership, education, and commitment to patient care.
OB CRNA, Department of Anesthesia
5 Years- Provided comprehensive anesthesia and analgesia for obstetric patients, including spinal, combined spinal-epidural, and general anesthesia.
- Collaborated with faculty and multidisciplinary teams to enhance OB emergency simulation and crisis preparedness.
- Administered anesthesia for routine and high-risk obstetric patients in private practice, ensuring optimal patient outcomes.
CRNA, Department of Obstetric Anesthesia
6 Years 7 Months- Provided comprehensive obstetric anesthesia and analgesia, including spinal, combined spinal-epidural, and general anesthesia.
- Contributed to neonatal resuscitation and facilitated multidisciplinary obstetric emergency preparedness drills.
- Trained faculty in OB crisis simulation techniques.
CT-ICU / Emergency Department Registered Nurse
2 Years 7 Months- Provided critical care nursing for critically ill cardiovascular, medical, and surgical patients.
- Contributed to intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and continuous veno-venous hemodialysis (CVVHD) teams, enhancing patient care through collaborative efforts.
- Established a solid foundation in cardiovascular critical care, equipping for advanced practice in nurse anesthesia.
Education
Master of Science in Anesthesia
- Ben Taub General Hospital — 20 months: General and regional anesthesia for ASA I–VI patients; Level I shock and trauma, neurology, general surgery, plastics, orthopedics, urology/gynecology, high-risk obstetrics, and hospital-wide emergency airway management.
- DeBakey Heart Center / Fondren-Brown — 5 months: Cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia including CABG, valvular repair, ascending/descending aortic reconstruction with and without circulatory arrest, pulmonary resection with one-lung ventilation, and heart/lung transplantation.
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center — 5 months: General and regional anesthesia for ASA I–V patients across cardiovascular, urology, ENT, neurology, ophthalmology, and general surgery.
- GPA: High Honors
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
GPA: Magna Cum Laude
Skills
Complex anesthesia management
General & Neuraxial Anesthesia
Structural Heart & Cardiothoracic Anesthesia
Obstetric Anesthesia
Clinical education
Clinical leadership
Anesthesia pharmacology
Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring
Critical Care
Clinical Education & Simulation
Clinical Leadership & Mentorship
Quality improvement
Certification
- Washington State: CRNA / ARNP / RN Licensure
- National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA): Board Certified
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
Lopez Swim Center, President-Elect & Board Member, Lopez Island, WA, 2025, Present, Serve on the Board of Directors with responsibility for organizational governance, strategic planning, financial oversight, and long-term organizational sustainability., Participate in organizational decision-making, operational planning, and oversight of a major community nonprofit organization., $11 Million Nonprofit Organization
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION & PRESENTATIONS
- University of Washington Medical Center
- Preventing Intraoperative Hypotension
- AANA Continuing Medical Education and Recertification Process Review
- Arterial Blood Gas Interpretation
- Sustainability in the Operating Room
- Continuous Quality Improvement
PROFESSIONAL HONORS & DISTINCTIONS
CRNA of the Year, University of Washington Medical Center, Department of Anesthesia — 2021, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine Top Doctors Award, Top ARNP Nurse Anesthetist — 2017, 2018, 2020, NBCRNA Re-Certification Examination Writer / Subject Matter Expert — 2015–2020, Washington State Nursing Board Standard-of-Care Expert — 2010–Present
Timeline
OB CRNA, Department of Anesthesia
Virginia Mason Medical Center
09.2018 - 09.2023Read More
CRNA, Department of Obstetric Anesthesia
Swedish Medical Center
06.2009 - 01.2016Read More
Senior CRNA, Department of Anesthesia
University of Washington Medical Center
01.2005 - CurrentRead More
CT-ICU / Emergency Department Registered Nurse
Overlake Hospital Medical Center
10.1999 - 05.2002Read More
University of Washington / Pacific Lutheran University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Read More
Baylor College of Medicine
Master of Science in Anesthesia
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