Education Initiatives
BAAC is working to build capacity for high quality safe anesthesia in Liberia by investing in the education and upskilling of the Liberian nurse anesthesia workforce including nurse anesthesia faculty. Specifically, our educational focus on strengthening the training of entry-to practice nurse anesthesia students with an emphasis on strengthening the clinical component of trainng, advancing faculty and preceptor development, Nurse Anesthetists, Phebe College of Health Sciences program as a Regional Center of Excellence in Anesthesia Education, to strengthen the nurse anesthesia curriculum, advance faculty and preceptor development; hone teaching techniques and skills; and increase support faculty. BAAC achieve its’ goals through the following initiatives:
BAAC Virtual Anesthesia Grand Rounds
Liberian and US-based anesthetists come together once a month via Zoom to discuss cases, problem solve and share clinical best practices that strengthen anesthesia care in Liberia through relevant presentations and assessment of quality improvement, policies and procedures.
The aim of the monthly rounds is to share clinical best practices that strengthen anesthesia care in Liberia through real-time case reviews/discussions, problem solving, relevant topical presentations and assessment of relevant quality improvement, policies and procedures.
Under the leadership of Patricia O’Connor and Aaron Sonah a committee meets regularly to identify topics and cases for discussion, as well as clinicians to present the case and case considerations. The rounds are co-led by Liberian and Boston anesthetists. Currently this initiative is hosted by Phebe-Esther Bacon College of Health Sciences and the BIDMC Anesthesia Department with input from all partners. Using remote web-based technology (zoom) the Liberian and US-based anesthetists come together once a month to discuss cases, problem solve and assess current practice standards. Liberian faculty and students from Phebe as well as practicing Nurse Anesthetists from 28 anesthesia providing facilities around the Liberia join the rounds along with nurse anesthesia colleagues from across the United States and other African countries.
If you would like to receive invitation for the Virtual Grand Rounds, please email Aaron Sonah at asonah2014@gmail.com, if you live in Liberia Patricia O’Connor at pocono@bidmc.harvard.edu, if you live outside Liberia
New this year is the addition of CEUs (Continuing Education Units) being awarded for participation. To obtain CEUs (continuing education units) for participating in the online rounds hosted on zoom, nurse anesthetists who participate will sign their name in the zoom chat. CEUs will be awarded annually based on the number of round attended.
In support of this initiative BAAC funds internet routers and internet time at Phebe to host these rounds, as well as stipends to 28 anesthesia-providing facilities in Liberia for internet time to assure they can connect for the rounds and the CEUs.
Links to Grand Rounds:
BAAC Grand Rounds Planning Committee
| Name | Hospital/Country | Role |
| Trish O’Connor, CRNA, MSN | BIDMC | US lead |
| Aaron Sonah, CRNA, BSN, MS | PEBCHS Nurse Anesthesia Program | Liberia lead |
| Ama Taplah, CRNA, BSN, MS | JFK Medical Center | Committee member |
| Lorba Tulay, CRNA, BSN, MS | C.B. Dunbar Hospital | Committee member |
| Jebba Zaza, CRNA, BSN | Tellewoyan Hospital | Committee member |
| Macaulay Kilinwollo, CRNA, BSN | PEBCHS Nurse Anesthesia Program | Committee member |
| Theophilus James, CRNA, BSN | JJ Dossen Hospital | Committee member |
In support of this initiative BAAC funds internet routers and internet time at Phebe to host these rounds, as well as stipends to 28 anesthesia-providing facilities in Liberia for internet time to assure they can connect for the rounds and the CEUs.