South College recognizes eight faculty Fellows in Nurse Anesthesiology
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 16, 2025
South College has eight faculty members who have earned the distinguished title of Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), an indicator of a commitment to excellence and leadership in the field.
A Fellow, recognized by the FAANA designation, must be credentialed as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for a minimum of 10 consecutive years; be an AANA member for at least 10 years; and have a minimum of 10 years of full-time professional experience as a practitioner of anesthesiology, an educator/program director, or a facility or business leader. A mere 1.5% of AANA membership earns the designation as Fellow.
“The fact that we have eight Fellows at South College is a testament to both our commitment to education and the dedication of our faculty and staff to achieve such a distinction within their profession,” said South College Chancellor Steve South. “A Fellow is a recognized leader in the field of nurse anesthesiology, and we applaud all of them.”
Lois Stewart, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, the founding Program Director of South College’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia Program, is among the eight Fellows at South College. Lisa Osborne, DNP, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA is the founding Assistant Program Director, and is also a Fellow of the AANA.
The other fellows are Jeanne Antolchick, PhD, CRNA, FAANA; Susan DeCarlo-Piccirillo, DNP, CRNA, FAANA; Debra Diaz, DNP, CRNA, FAANA; Donna Fiaschetti, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA; Johanna Newman, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA; and Jennifer Wiseman, DNP, CRNA, FAANA.
“We are privileged at South College to have an exceptional total of eight Fellows specializing in nurse anesthesiology,” Dr. Stewart said. “I am so proud of the faculty members who are dedicated to the profession and the public we serve, and who strive to educate the next generation of committed practitioners and leaders in nurse anesthesiology.”
Fellows must also have a record of attending AANA conferences; demonstrate achievements in nurse anesthesia and leadership that command respect and recognition from other leaders in the profession. They are also challenged to show substantial achievement that demonstrates professional and personal growth and use of innovative, creative solutions.
The first cohort to earn a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nurse Anesthesia from South College graduated Dec. 13, 2024. The innovative nurse anesthesiology program provides a specialized curriculum through hybrid distance education, on-ground intensive learning sessions, integrated simulation curriculum and clinical practicum experiences. The cohort began in January 2022 and became the inaugural graduating class.
Visit south.edu/program/doctor-of-nursing-practice-with-a-concentration-in-nurse-anesthesia for information about the program.
Across its national footprint, South College offers an array of academic programs in business, education, healthcare and other fields. The institution was founded in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1882 and now includes 10 physical campuses, online learning and competency-based education (CBE). To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.
About South College
South College serves more than 20,000 students and is proud of its more than 20,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online. South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.
South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.