Sarah E. Giron, PhD, CRNA, FAANA

Dr. Giron has been educating nurse anesthesia students since 2005, with publications in pain, nursing and nurse anesthesia texts and journals.  She currently focuses on SRNA and CRNA research endeavors, having been involved in myriad studies including the Phase 3 trials of Sugammadex. Her work with CANA helped secure California’s opt-out status and as a member of the NBCRNA Board of Directors she continues to advocate for the CRNA credential.

Niko Lazovich, MSN, CRNA

Niko Lazovich is an alum and faculty member of Samuel Merritt University’s Nurse Anesthesia Program with a career spanning over 20 years in anesthesia practice. His clinical background is diverse, including experience as both an independent provider and as part of an anesthesia care team in urban and rural settings. He currently maintains his clinical practice at Kaiser Roseville Medical Center, specializing in Obstetric Anesthesia, where he also serves as the Clinical Coordinator for Samuel Merritt University and the United States Air Force Nurse Anesthesia Program.

Niko has been honored with nominations for the Faculty of the Year Award and has received the Yuri Nishimura Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award. His true passion lies in fostering a learning environment that encourages, inspires, and challenges students to reach their highest potential. He is dedicated to ensuring that future generations of nurse anesthesiologists uphold the high standards demanded by the profession and deserved by patients. 

Dianna M. Heikkila, PhD, CRNA

Dianna Heikkila completed her nurse anesthesia training at Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia in August 2001. She has practiced for over 20+ years in Boise, Idaho, and the Northern California Region, administering all types of anesthesia to all patient populations. Her clinical passion is obstetrical anesthesia.

Dianna has been the past president of the Idaho Association of Nurse Anesthetists and is currently on the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Board as a trustee. She is also on the CANA Peer Assistance and Wellness Committee.

Dianna completed her Ph.D. from Walden University, the College of Health Sciences, focusing on leadership in November 2018. Her dissertation is “The Relationship between Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists’ Emotional Intelligence and Burnout.” She is an Assistant Professor and ADNP Projects Director at Samuel Merritt University’s Anesthesia-Doctorate of Nursing Practice Program. Additionally, she is a part-time employee at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Roseville.

Sarah E. Giron, PhD, CRNA, FAANA

Dr. Giron has been educating nurse anesthesia students since 2005, with publications in pain, nursing and nurse anesthesia texts and journals.  She currently focuses on SRNA and CRNA research endeavors, having been involved in myriad studies including the Phase 3 trials of Sugammadex. Her work with CANA helped secure California’s opt-out status and as a member of the NBCRNA Board of Directors she continues to advocate for the CRNA credential.

Jake Schonau, MSN, CRNA

Jake Schonau, MSN, CRNA, is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and a faculty member in the Department of Nurse Anesthesiology at the Keck School of Medicine at USC. He is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) and the California Association of Nurse Anesthetists (CANA), having served as a board member from 2021 to 2023. Before pursuing a career in Nurse Anesthesia, Jake earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature from Pacific Lutheran University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Duke University. He integrates his clinical anesthesia expertise with his academic role, contributing to the field through teaching and research.

Jake Schonau, MSN, CRNA

Jake Schonau, MSN, CRNA, is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and a faculty member in the Department of Nurse Anesthesiology at the Keck School of Medicine at USC. He is an active member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) and the California Association of Nurse Anesthetists (CANA), having served as a board member from 2021 to 2023. Before pursuing a career in Nurse Anesthesia, Jake earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Literature from Pacific Lutheran University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Duke University. He integrates his clinical anesthesia expertise with his academic role, contributing to the field through teaching and research.

Sarah E. Giron, PhD, CRNA, FAANA

Dr. Giron has been educating nurse anesthesia students since 2005, with publications in pain, nursing and nurse anesthesia texts and journals.  She currently focuses on SRNA and CRNA research endeavors, having been involved in myriad studies including the Phase 3 trials of Sugammadex. Her work with CANA helped secure California’s opt-out status and as a member of the NBCRNA Board of Directors she continues to advocate for the CRNA credential.

Niko Lazovich, MSN, CRNA

Niko Lazovich is an alum and faculty member of Samuel Merritt University’s Nurse Anesthesia Program with a career spanning over 20 years in anesthesia practice. His clinical background is diverse, including experience as both an independent provider and as part of an anesthesia care team in urban and rural settings. He currently maintains his clinical practice at Kaiser Roseville Medical Center, specializing in Obstetric Anesthesia, where he also serves as the Clinical Coordinator for Samuel Merritt University and the United States Air Force Nurse Anesthesia Program.

Niko has been honored with nominations for the Faculty of the Year Award and has received the Yuri Nishimura Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award. His true passion lies in fostering a learning environment that encourages, inspires, and challenges students to reach their highest potential. He is dedicated to ensuring that future generations of nurse anesthesiologists uphold the high standards demanded by the profession and deserved by patients. 

Dianna M. Heikkila, PhD, CRNA

Dianna Heikkila completed her nurse anesthesia training at Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia in August 2001. She has practiced for over 20+ years in Boise, Idaho, and the Northern California Region, administering all types of anesthesia to all patient populations. Her clinical passion is obstetrical anesthesia.

Dianna has been the past president of the Idaho Association of Nurse Anesthetists and is currently on the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Board as a trustee. She is also on the CANA Peer Assistance and Wellness Committee.

Dianna completed her Ph.D. from Walden University, the College of Health Sciences, focusing on leadership in November 2018. Her dissertation is “The Relationship between Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists’ Emotional Intelligence and Burnout.” She is an Assistant Professor and ADNP Projects Director at Samuel Merritt University’s Anesthesia-Doctorate of Nursing Practice Program. Additionally, she is a part-time employee at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Roseville.