Joanne Donnelly, DNP, APRN, CRNA, FAANA

Dr. Joanne Donnelly has dedicated a career to the anesthesia care of patients undergoing
surgery for over 25 years. As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Joanne provides
anesthesia for Veterans at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis and performs the duties
of the Associate Chief Nurse Anesthetist. In addition, she is the Director of the Nurse
Anesthesia DNP Program at the University of Minnesota.

Donnelly received a Master of Science in Anesthesia from Columbia University, and her
practice has included the following leadership roles: clinical coordinator, associate director,
chief nurse anesthetist, and nurse anesthesia director of a national medical group. Dr.
Donnelly received a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Vanderbilt University, during
which she authored a thesis focused on patient safety and handoff communication. She
has been invited by the International Association of Nurse Anesthetists to present her
scholarly work at the World Congress for Nurse Anesthetists.

Donnelly’s many academic publications include authorships of chapters in nurse
anesthesia texts and Current Review journals. Additionally, she is a recognized expert in
airway management, is a faculty member of The Difficult Airway Course TM , and is regularly
invited to present lectures at state, regional, and national meetings.

Dr. Donnelly has been a passionate leader in patient safety, simulation, team
communication, and nurse anesthesia education. Her scholarly interests include airway
management, communication, and simulation/crisis management.

• Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (FAANA), 2023
• E. Louise Grant Award, University of Minnesota School of Nursing, 2022
• Mpls St. Paul Magazine’s Outstanding Nurses, 2018
• Sigma Theta Tau, DNP Award, Iota Chapter, 2011
• Certificate of Appreciation, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, American Cancer Society International Service, 2003
• Agatha Hodgins Award of Excellence in Nurse Anesthesia, Columbia University, 1997

"Can Hospitals Turn Into Climate Change Fighting Machines?", Politico, 2023 https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/06/06/hospital-climate-change-waste-00098612 

• Association of VA of Nurse Anesthetists
• Society for Airway Management
• Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists
• American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
• American Nurses Association
• Sigma Theta Tau

Gingerich, S., & Donnelly, J. (2024). Assessment and monitoring of the perianesthesia patient. In J. Odom-Forren (Ed.), Drain’s perianesthesia nursing (8th ed.). Elsevier.

Bradley, C., Donnelly, J., & Swanson, N. (2021). Simulation-based care delivery. In C. Delaney, C. Weaver, J. Sensmeier, L. Pruinelli, & P. Weber (Eds.), Nursing and informatics for the 21st century: Embracing a digital world (3rd ed.). HIMSS Publishing.

Donnelly, J., & Ouellette, S. (2012). Renal anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology. In J.J.
Nagelhout, & K.L. Zaglaniczny (Eds.), Nurse anesthesia (5th ed.). Elsevier.

Hall, H., & Donnelly, J. (2021). Preserving perioperative cognitive function: A QI project. International Student Journal of Nurse Anesthetists, 20(3), 1-51.

Donnelly, J. (2015). Vasopressors & inotropes. Current Reviews for Nurse Anesthetists, Frank
Moya Continuing Education Programs.

Donnelly, J. (2012). Maternal hemorrhage. Etiology and treatment. Current Reviews for
Nurse Anesthetists, Frank Moya Continuing Education Programs.

• Donnelly, J. (2013). Anesthesia for Renal Transplantation. CRNA Today.
• Donnelly, J. (2013). Patient Safety and the Role of Situational Awareness: Planning for Crisis as
• a TEAM. CRNA Today.
• Donnelly, J. (2013). Residual Neuromuscular Blockade. CRNA Today.

Pechacek, J. M., Donnelly, J., & Gingerich, S. "Refugee Crisis: Education, Clinical Care and Leadership," Leadership in Nursing - A Global Approach Nurse Anesthesia Program at University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland. (May 11, 2023). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "International Collaboration: Nurse Anesthesia Education, Training and Practice in the U.S.," Leadership in Nursing - A Global Approach Nurse Anesthesia Program at University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland. (May 9, 2023). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "Critical Incident Debriefing: Caring for the Healthcare Provider," MedCity© Anesthesia Seminars, St. Pete Beach, Florida. (April 2023). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "Wellness: Tips for Success!" MedCity© Anesthesia Seminars, St. Pete Beach, Florida. (April 2023). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "Nursing and Planetary Health: The Intersection Between Curricula and Action," Doctoral Education Conference American Association of Colleges of Nursing, San Diego, California. (January 2023). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "Partnerships Between Academic and Clinical Nursing to Enhance Continuing Education and Patient Safety," Doctoral Education Conference American Association of Colleges of Nursing, San Diego, California. (January 2023). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "The Unanticipated and Failed Airway," The Difficult Airway Course©, Nashville, Tennessee. (September 2022). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "Patient Safety Update," North Dakota Association of Nurse Anesthetists, North Dakota. (March 2022). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "Intraoperative Crisis Management," MedCity© Anesthesia Seminars, Huntsville, Alabama. (February 2019). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "Hazards of Neuromuscular Blockade," MedCity© Anesthesia Seminars, Carlsbad, California. (June 2018). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "Post-Extubation Airway Emergencies," Annual Meeting Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Minneapolis, Minnesota. (October 2017). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "Patient Safety Update," 75th Annual Meeting Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Chicago, Illinois. (August 2014). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "Strategies to Improve Maternal Morbidity & Mortality," CRNAs Ski the Rookies, Copper Mountain, Colorado. (January 2014). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "Difficult Airway Workshop Faculty," Annual Meeting American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Boston, Massachusetts. (August 2011). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "National Investigation of Intraoperative Anesthesia Handoff Practices with Recommendations for Standardization," Annual Meeting American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Boston, Massachusetts. (August 2011). Invited.

Donnelly, J. "National Investigation of Intraoperative Anesthesia Handoff Practices with Recommendations for Standardization and Team Simulation Training," World Congress International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists, Ljubljana, Slovenia. (June 2011). Invited.

Award: Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship (NAT) Program
Principal Investigator: Donnelly, Joanne
Sponsoring Organization: US Dept. of Health & Human Services HRSA
Award Dates: 2020 - 2024

Award: Nurse Anesthetist Traineeship (NAT) Program
Principal Investigator: Donnelly, Joanne
Sponsoring Organization: HRSA Bureau of Health Professions
Award Dates: 2019 - 2020

• Patient safety and simulation in anesthesia
• Standardized communication during transitions in care
• Airway management