OU-Beaumont nurse anesthesia program earns re-accreditation

Anne Hranchook (left), is program director for the OU-Beaumont nurse anesthesia program, which just earned re-accreditation.

Oakland University and Beaumont Health System earned an important distinction recently, with the re-accreditation of the Oakland University-Beaumont Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).

The 10-year re-accreditation is the highest level extended to a program and lends an element of prestige to the OU-Beaumont program, which was established in 1991. 

Accreditation is a rigorous process that includes a systematic self-study and review at the program site, which requires many hours of dedication from the entire program faculty to prepare, according to Anne Hranchook, CRNA, MSN, director of the nurse anesthesia program. Part of the self-study process required obtaining evaluations from more 200 individuals including nurse anesthetists, anesthesiologists, school of nursing professors and students. 

 
“The responses to the evaluations were overwhelmingly positive and brought a great deal of joy and pride to the faculty and students,” Hranchook said. “There was such a feeling of accomplishment to see the high praise we received from the community recognizing the excellence of our program and the quality of our students, graduates and faculty.” 

The nurse anesthesia graduate program requires full-time coursework for 28 months. Distance learning opportunities are available in locations such as Kalamazoo, Marquette and Toledo. Students benefit from detailed instruction in physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology and anatomy in cognate courses and earn clinical experience at more than 30 sites throughout the region. 

“By offering high quality instruction in a variety of locations, our students are able to develop a full range of experiences and become highly proficient in a variety of important skills,” Hranchook said. “Our program is difficult and challenging, and prepares students for successful careers.” 

The COA is the sole accrediting authority for nurse anesthesia programs at the post-master’s certificate, master’s and doctoral degree levels across the nation. It supports quality assessment and improvement in nurse anesthesia educational programs, and recognizes excellence in instruction. 

For more information about programs, courses and events in OU’s School of Nursing, view the website at oakland.edu/nursing.