For the third year in a row, graduates of the York College of Pennsylvania/WellSpan Health Nurse Anesthetist Program have achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Certification Exam (NCE), a milestone that affirms the program’s growing reputation for academic and clinical excellence.
The Dr. Donald E. and Lois J. Myers School of Nursing and Health Professions announced that all 18 members of the Class of 2026 successfully passed the rigorous national exam on their first attempt. These newly certified nurse anesthetists are: Elaine Bazemore, Taylor Cifelli, Kaitlyn Douglas, Paige Fellows, Sanju Gurung, Briana Kauffman, Mordechai Kiewe, Brittany Kluk, Jordan Lee, Shannon Lynch, Teresa McDavid, Emily Dettinburn, Gary Pyner, Marie Richardson, Amber Swope, Levi Wilhide, Travis Wealand, and Steve Yang.
All 18 students earned their Doctorate of Nursing Practice and are now in practice as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), licensed to administer the full scope of anesthesia to all patients in all practice settings.
Program Director Dr. Amy Reed praised the Class of 2026 for their resilience, professionalism, and dedication.
“Achieving a 100% first-time board pass rate for three consecutive years is an extraordinary accomplishment and a testament to the commitment of our students, faculty, and clinical partners,” said Dr. Amy Reed, Program Director. “This cohort completed an exceptionally rigorous curriculum with tremendous focus, resilience, and determination. We are incredibly proud of their achievement and even more excited to see them enter the profession as highly prepared CRNAs, ready to provide exceptional anesthesia care and make a meaningful impact on the patients and communities they serve.”
The YCP/WellSpan Health Nurse Anesthetist Program is a 36-month, full-time doctoral program that blends rigorous classroom instruction with immersive clinical experience. It prepares graduates to meet national certification standards and to deliver safe, high-quality anesthesia care in a wide range of medical settings.
Established to meet the growing demand for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), the program benefits from a strong academic-practice partnership between York College and WellSpan Health. This collaboration ensures students receive comprehensive, real-world training while also addressing workforce needs across central Pennsylvania and beyond.
The Class of 2026’s accomplishments demonstrate the program’s excellent outcomes and continued commitment to excellence in advanced nursing education.
