Mental health and substance use have been impacting CRNAs and SRNAs, but we’ve come a long way in recognizing and addressing these challenges thanks to organizations like the Parkdale Center for Professionals.

This episode is a powerful one centered on healing, growth, and the critical role of peer support. We’re excited to welcome Linda Stone, DNP, CRNA, peer advisor Jack Stem, and Bridget Petrillo, MS, APRN, CRNA to reflect on 10 years of progress since the founding of the Parkdale Center. They share powerful personal stories of struggle and recovery, the evolution of peer assistance in nurse anesthesia, and how initiatives like the AANA helpline and Parkdale’s 24/7 peer-driven support have become literal lifelines.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

📞 Lifeline moments – How the AANA helpline and Parkdale save lives in critical moments.

🧠 Stigma and recovery – Why openly sharing stories reduces shame and fuels healing.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Peer assistance legacy – The history of CRNAs supporting each other since the 1980s.

🏥 Healthcare-specific care – Why addiction treatment for providers requires unique approaches.

🌟 Celebrating Parkdale – 10 years of profession-specific recovery and wellness support.

If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact Parkdale here: https://parkdalecenter.com/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate

Most CRNAs graduate, get a job, and settle into the profession. But Dr. Erik Rauch proves there’s another path—one of leadership, advocacy, and endless opportunity.

In this episode of Grade 1 View, Erik joins hosts Kevin and Charity to share his 17-year journey from clinical CRNA to program director, pain management fellow, MBA graduate, AANA Board of Directors, and now Chief Clinical Officer of a CRNA anesthesia management company. You’ll hear how economics and workforce shifts are creating unprecedented opportunities for CRNAs to practice independently, and why new grads who embrace skills like ultrasound-guided blocks and critical decision-making will be in high demand.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🚀 From teaching to corporate leadership, CRNAs can shape healthcare.

🏥 Rising demand in surgery centers is opening doors for autonomy.

💉 Skills that matter – Ultrasound blocks and independent decision-making set grads apart.

⚖️ Advocacy fights – Insurance reimbursement cuts put hospitals and CRNAs on the frontlines.

🌉 AANA initiatives keep SRNAs connected as they transition to practice.

Apply to be on the Grade 1 View Season Two (2026) Host Team!

Applications due November 1, 2025. Applicants must be current CRNA students/residents with a minimum of 12 months remaining in their program.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/g1v-host-application

About our guest: https://health.usf.edu/nursing/faculty-staff/directory/esrauch

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/

Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Today’s guest is helping shape the next generations of CRNAs one post, one message, and one connection at a time through his platform, CRNA Mentor. Tyler Anderson, CRNA has ​become ​a ​guiding ​voice ​for ​aspiring ​and ​practicing ​nurse ​anesthetists ​across ​the ​country. In this episode, he shares the story behind the creation of CRNA Mentor, his vision for mentorship in the CRNA community, and how social media is playing a pivotal role in fostering connections.

Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:

🌐 Social Media Impact: Discover how Tyler uses social platforms like TikTok and Facebook to connect with aspiring CRNAs.

💬 Mentorship Matters: Tyler emphasizes the importance of mentorship in shaping the future of CRNAs.

💡 Learning from Experience: The journey to CRNA school isn’t just about the grades, but about gaining the right experience.

🤝 Building a Community: The CRNA Mentor Facebook group creates a safe space for CRNAs, nursing students, and aspiring CRNAs to connect and share valuable insights.

🌍 International Reach: Tyler’s CRNA Mentor is helping individuals from all over the world navigate their way into the CRNA field.

Enjoy your Dream List video in the link below and learn why nurse anesthesia is the best career in healthcare! If any or all of these ingredients of the "Dream List" resonate with you, this could be YOUR perfect career path.

https://www.crnamentor.com/dream-list-video/1717

About our guest: https://www.crnamentor.com/

Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/

The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099

Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate