NATCHITOCHES – Liza Phillips, a student in Northwestern State University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia program, has been named as a recipient of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Foundation’s Maria Roach CRNA Scholarship worth $3,000. 

Phillips was one of 100 recipients of the highly competitive AANA Foundation Scholarships worth nearly $300,000. Less than four percent of scholarship applicants receive awards. She is the second NSU nurse anesthesia student to receive an AANA scholarship. Phillips was a Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) nurse and trained at Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, Mississippi, before traveling to aid in COVID relief in various Mississippi and Denver, Colorado locations.  She is scheduled to receive her doctorate next year. 

“I am incredibly grateful to be awarded the recipients of 2024 AANA Foundation Maria Roach CRNA Scholarship, which not only lightens the financial burden of education but also provides me with the resources and network to grow my personal and professional development,” said Phillips. “The inspiration I have drawn from receiving scholarships like this has led me to start my own scholarship, the LJ Scholarship, to give back to the community that has enabled me to be where I am today and help others achieve their academic goals.” 

The LJ Scholarship will be awarded to a student in Waverly, Ohio, where Phillips grew up. She started the scholarship in 2022 and plans to restart it after earning her doctorate. 

The AANA Foundation is a charitable organization devoted to anesthesia research and education and is committed to supporting members at all stages of their career including students; new and established CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists; and retired and emeritus members. The Foundation creates and offers opportunities for learning, volunteering, mentoring, leadership, networking, knowledge sharing, engagement, advocacy, and more. In addition to supporting the individual growth of CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists, the Foundation builds a body of research used to protect the practice of every CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist.  

The Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) and donations help fund programs and awards. Student scholarships, poster sessions, research grants and health policy research. 

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Northwestern provides a clinical doctorate for baccalaureate or master’s prepared registered nurses who desire to practice at the highest level and significantly impact health care outcomes for vulnerable populations. Graduates of the DNP program have the potential to transform health care by utilizing advanced clinical skills, translating evidence into practice, implementing systems changes, establishing standards and policies, and acting as organizational leaders. 

For more information on Northwestern State’s Doctor of Nursing Practice Program, go to https://www.nsula.edu/nursing/nursing-programs.