Russ Lynn Memorial Lecture Series

This photograph was taken by Russ Lynn and turned into several large canvases that were later raffled by the AANA Foundation to support their scholarship fund. The flower is known as “Russ’s Lily” because he took the photo during a foundation event.

The Russ Lynn Memorial Lecture Series provides a platform to support graduate nurse anesthesia residents by offering a venue to present their research and doctoral projects to the state membership. Each year, NJANA features these student presentations during their Fall and Spring meetings.

NJANA created the lecture series to honor the legacy of Russell “Russ” Lynn, an educator and leader who was a fervent advocate for students and CRNA’s.

A graduate of the Temple University/Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia in 2001, he went on to become the University of Pennsylvania Nurse Anesthesia Program Director. He was passionate about his students and his program. A lifelong learner he was in pursuit of his Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania where he was named a Jonas Scholar.

He also held several key positions on the NJANA Board of Directors from 2005-2012 including President-elect (2007-2008), President (2008-2010), and Treasurer (2010-2012). He served the AANA on the National Board for the Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, was an item writer for the SEE exam and an on-site reviewer for the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs.

Russ Lynn was highly respected and well-loved by all who worked alongside him and by the students who had the privilege of learning from him. The Russ Lynn Memorial Lecture series was created as way to both fulfill his dreams and as a way to continue to lead the way in student advocacy. This effort has been recognized nationally by the AANA leadership.

Click here to read an AANA Article about Russ Lynn who was honored posthumously with the AANA Foundation’s 2015 Advocate of the Year Award.

Fall 2025

Effectiveness of Video Laryngoscopy vs. Direct Laryngoscopy in Patients with Difficult Airways Undergoing General Anesthesia: A systematic Review Protocol

Matthew Antonioni, BSN, RN, CCRN-CMC-CSC,RRNA
Kayla Anzalone, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Natalie Dabrowski, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Jessica Stewart, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA

Project Chairs: Dr. Irina Benenson, DNP, FNP, and Dr. Philip Huang, DNP, APN, CRNA

Preventing the Occurrence of Wrong-Route Medication Administration Among Patients Receiving Neuraxial Anesthesia Using Neuraxial Route-Specific Medication Administration Equipment: A Systematic Review

Frank Mark, MS, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Jonathan Miller, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Cody Powers, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Brian Uster, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA

Project Chairs: Dr. Stephen Pilot, DNP, APN, CRNA, RNAP Project Chair, and Dr. Cheryl Holly, Ed.D, RN, ANEF, SON Project Chair.

Spring 2025

The Effectiveness of Intravenous Dexmedetomidine Compared to Other Intravenous Anesthetics in Reducing the Incidence of Delirium in Pediatric Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia for Cardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review (View)
Emily Black, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Danielle Moed, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Breanna Vitolo, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Dr. Stephen Pilot, DNP, APN, CRNA, RNAP Project Chair
Dr. Irina Benenson, DNP, FNP-C, SON Project Chair

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine Versus Other Agents for Treatment of Preoperative Anxiety in Elective Pediatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (View)
Suet Ying (Carmen) Acoba, BSN, RN, CCRN, Amy Fernandez, BSN, RN, CCRN, Youn Young (Janice) Hur, BSN, RN, CCRN
DNP Chair: Irina Benenson, DNP, FNP ; RNAP Faculty: Dr. MIchael McLaughlin, DNP, CRNA

The Efficacy of Continuing Metformin before Cardiac Surgery and its effect on the Development of Lactic Acidosis in Type 2 Diabetic Patient: A Systematic Review (View)
Christine Daigbe BSN, RN, RRNA, Lindsey Gibbs BSN, RN, RRNA and Irene Ofodile BSN, RN, RRNA
DNP Project Chair: Dr. Cheryl Holly, EdD, RN, FNAP, ANEF and Faculty Member : Dr. Philip Huang DNP, APN, CRNA
PROJECT

The Impact of Cricothyrotomy Simulation on Anesthesia Provider Airway Crisis Management (View)
Alyssa Albert MSN, RN, SRNA, Alyssa Cartier BSN, RN, SRNA, Katelyn Reanos BSN, RN, SRNA, & Tressie Windsor BSN, RN, SRNA
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sarah Rollison DNP, CRNA, CNE, CHSE; Organizational Mentor: Barry Lepley MSN, CRNA

The Dose-response Effect of Intravenous Dexamethasone for Postoperative Nausea &
Vomiting in Women Undergoing Laparoscopic Surgery: A Systematic Review (View)
Megan Maniscalco BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA, Madison Montague BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA & Mark Pajdak BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
SON Faculty Chair: Dr Cheryl Holly, EdD, RN, ANEF & RNAP Faculty Chair: Dr. Thomas Pallaria, DNP, APN, CRNA

The Effect of Opioid-Free Anesthesia on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Systematic Review (View)
Sebin George BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA, Qasim Khawaja BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA & Christopher Serra BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
SON Faculty Chair: Irina Benenson DNP, FNP-C Faculty Chair: Maureen McCartney Anderson DNP, CRNA/APN, FAANA

Fall 2024

The Dose-response Effect of Intravenous Dexamethasone for Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting in Women Undergoing Laparoscopic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Megan Maniscalco, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Madison Montague, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Mark Pajdak, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Dr. Thomas Pallaria, DNP, APN, CRNA, RNAP Project Chair
Dr. Cheryl Holly, EdD, RN, ANEF, SON Project Chair

The Effectiveness of Cricoid Pressure During Rapid Sequence Intubation in Reducing Aspiration in Adult Patients:
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Courtney Campanella, RN-BSN, CCRN, RRNA
Jacqueline Johnston, RN-BSN, CCRN, RRNA
Tara O’Rourke, RN-BSN, CCRN, RRNA
ANES Faculty: Dr. M. McCartney Anderson, DNP, CRNA/APN FAANA
NEST Faculty: Cheryl Holly, EdD, RN, ANEF
Nurse Anesthesia Program, Rutgers University

Spring 2024

Low Flow Anesthesia with Sevoflurane Project Evaluation

Victoria Grant BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Emily Sassano BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA

Improving Antibiotic Stewardship Through Utilization of the PEN-FAST Screening Tool for Surgical Patients with Documented Penicillin Allergy

Hannah Mandler, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Patrick Miller, BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA

Fall 2023

Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) simulation training for healthcare providers in the labor and delivery department

Jenna Bloss BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Brianna Carlotti BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Dr. Maureen McCartney-Anderson, DNP, APN, CRNA , Project Chair 
Dr. Tracy Castleman DNP, APN, CRNA, FAANA,  Project Member

Simulation-Based Training with Cognitive Aids to Increase Provider Preparedness for Intraoperative Malignant Hyperthermia Crisis

Leonora Berisha BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Erin Scott BSN, RN, CCRN, RRNA
Dr. Maureen McCartney Anderson, DNP, APN, CRNA , Project Chair
Dr. Stephen Pilot DNP, APN, CRNA,  Project Member