By Laura Gasque
Two University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing alumni have been named Fellows of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. They are among 42 nurse leaders to be inducted into the 2026 class of AANA Fellows and will be recognized in August at the AANA Annual Congress in Boston, Massachusetts. Distinguished researchers, advocates, educators and practitioners are selected based on their professional contributions to nurse anesthesiology.
This year's faculty inductees include Katie Cole, DNP, CRNA, CHSE (MNA 2011), and Ronald Whorton, MNA, CRNA (BS 1985, MNA 2008).
"The newest class of AANA Fellows represents a remarkable commitment to advancing nurse anesthesiology through leadership and service," said Dan Lovinaria, DNP, MBA, APRN, CRNA, CHSE, FNAP, FAAN, FAANA, Fellows Selection Committee Chair. "Their expertise and contributions are driving progress across healthcare-informing policy, improving patient outcomes and, most importantly, expanding the impact of CRNAs nationwide. We are proud to recognize these individuals for their dedication and the lasting influence they bring to patients, communities and the profession."
Katie Cole, DNP, CRNA, CHSE-A (MNA 2011)
Cole is the inaugural Assistant Dean for Simulation-Based Learning and Assistant Clinical Professor at Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. She earned her Master of Nurse Anesthesia from the UAB School of Nursing in 2011. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Nurse Anesthetists and was elected President for the 2026-27 term.
Cole also has contributed nationally through service on multiple committees of the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, including NCE Item Writing and Professional Practice Analysis. Her scholarship centers on simulation standards of best practice, faculty development and the integration of emerging technologies to enhance educational outcomes in nurse anesthesia.
Ronald C. Whorton, MNA, CRNA (BS 1985, MNA 2008)
Whorton has more than four decades of clinical experience in nursing and nurse anesthesia leadership. During his 24-year tenure at UAB Hospital, he served in several key leadership roles, including Chief CRNA and Director of Anesthesia Services for the UAB Health System. In 2001, Whorton was elected President of the Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
In 2017, Whorton received the Career Achievement in Nurse Anesthesia Award from the UAB School of Nursing. During the School's 70th anniversary celebration in 2021, Whorton was named one of the 70 Visionary Leaders.
Whorton currently serves as President of AnPro Services LLC, where he provides anesthesia clinical services, departmental management and consulting expertise. In addition, he serves as Chief of CRNA Anesthesia Services at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
These fellows join more than a dozen other AANA Fellows affiliated with the School, including:
- Professor and Interim Assistant Dean for Research and Scholarship Edwin Aroke, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN
- Clinical Assistant Professor Thomas Baribeault, DNP, CRNA, FAANA
- Terri M. Cahoon, DNP, CRNA, COI, FAANA (BS 1994)
- Lisa Allison Herbinger, DNP, CRNA, COI, FAANA (DNP 2013)
- Larry Hornsby, BSN, CRNA, FAANA (BSN 1981, BS 1985)
- Lisa Lucas, DNP, CRNA, FAANA (DNP 2013)
- Professor Emerita and former DNP Nurse Anesthesia Pathway Director Susan P. McMullan, PhD, MSN, CRNA, CNE, CHSE, FAANA, FAAN
- Erica Moore, DNP, CRNA, FAANA (MSN 2014)
- Krista Niedermeier, DNP, MNA, CRNA, FAANA (BSN 1989, MNA 2006, DNP 2013)
- Heather Rankin, DNP, CRNA, FAANA (BSN 2002, DNP 2014)
- Clinical Assistant Professor Kesha Thurston, DNP, MSHQS, CRNA, FAANA (BSN 1998, MNA 2006, DNP 2019)
- Stacey Vandyke, DNP, APRN, CRNA, FAANA (DNP 2013)
- Brooke Reeves Vining, MNA, CRNA, MSHA, LSSGB, FAANA (MNA 2003)
- Associate Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Acute, Chronic and Continuing Care Bryan Wilbanks, PhD, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN (DNP 2012, PhD 2016)
- Assistant Professor and Director, DNP Nurse Anesthesia Pathway Amy Yerdon, DNP, MNA, CRNA, CNE, CHSE, FAANA (MNA 2011)