Good Samaritan Hospital Nurse Anesthetist Dan Bartlett Receives National Honor
September 1, 2022The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology recently presented Dan A. Bartlett, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital, with the 36th Alice Magaw Outstanding Clinical Anesthesia Practitioner Award. Bartlett received the award at the association’s 2022 Annual Congress Aug. 12-16 in Chicago.
The Alice Magaw Outstanding Clinical Anesthesia Practitioner Award was established in 1986 to recognize the accomplishments of CRNAs who are involved in direct patient care. The recipient of the award is recognized by peers as a person who has made an important contribution to the advancement of nurse anesthesia practice. Bartlett is the first CRNA in Georgia to receive the Alice Magaw award.
"When I think of Dan's years of unwavering commitment to those he serves, I consider myself very fortunate and honored to know him,” said Good Samaritan Hospital President Tanya Adcock. “Dan exemplifies our Core Values in all he does, every single day, with every patient he cares for and with the team he works with. To say Dan is worthy of this amazing recognition is an enormous understatement. Dan was created on purpose, for a purpose. He is truly one of a kind and one of the greatest men I know."
Bartlett has been a continuously practicing, full-time CRNA for 50 years. He currently is an independent practitioner working with plastic surgeons, urologists, and three critical access rural hospitals in Georgia, including St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital. He became interested in anesthesia nursing while serving as an Army combat medic during the Vietnam War. Bartlett triaged and stabilized injured soldiers before handing them off to the battle frontline CRNA. This early exchange with a nurse anesthetist inspired him to look into the profession. After six years in the military, he applied to nursing school and, after earning his bachelor’s degree, went directly to nurse anesthesia school.
“Dan is the most skillful, creative, fearless, and best problem-solving nurse anesthetist I have ever had the pleasure of working with during my career,” said his nomination. “He shares his abundant knowledge with all healthcare providers and does so humbly and respectfully, endearing himself to all. The support, advice and expertise he provides is unmatched by any other anesthesia provider. Dan is a master. He has elevated the practice and craft of anesthesia to an art form.”
“Receiving the Alice Magaw Award is certainly an honor of which I’m proud and thankful,” Bartlett told the association. “I appreciate the praise and recognition from my colleagues, and feel fortunate to work with many fine professionals. However, my greatest source of pride and honor has been, and continues to be, providing expert care to my patients, support to their families, and service to the physicians, nurses and technicians that I’ve been lucky to work with for 50 years. Thank you so very much.”
Bartlett has spent his entire career serving rural communities. For example, during his time as director of obstetrics anesthesia at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Tennessee, he established the first obstetrics epidural service in the community and trained the entire anesthesia department on epidural anesthesia techniques.
“His decades of service to rural communities has allowed for the safe delivery of surgical care to thousands, close to home, avoiding costly transfers and other travel inconveniences,” his nomination said.
Bartlett grew up in Clarksburg, West Virginia, and earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Clarksburg, where he also received his certificate in nurse anesthesia. He served in the U.S. Army for six years, receiving Purple Heart and Bronze Star medals for his service. He and his wife, Tracy, live in Athens. They have a daughter, Claire, and a son from Bartlett’s previous marriage, Danny.