Thomas Davis, CRNA, MAE

Allen Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1973

Position: Founder, ProSynEx leadership development and team building. Former Chief CRNA The Johns Hopkins, Baltimore and Scott & White Medical Center, Temple, TX.

What led you to pursue your education at Allen College?

As a student at UNI, I had an interest in healthcare and worked as a technician in the Allen Hospital emergency room where I met many competent nurses, many of whom were trained at Allen Hospital School of Nursing. I applied and was accepted.

Please note any accomplishments, awards, proud moments, published articles, etc.

I served 21 years in the Air Force and retired with the rank of Lt. Col and was trained by the Air Force to be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I received the Agatha Hodgins Award for Excellence upon graduation.

Following the Air Force, I was on the faculty at the University of Kansas for five years, and while there developed and implemented the nation’s first distance education program for nurse anesthesia. Capitalizing on personal experience and military leadership, I served as Chief Nurse Anesthetist at two major organizations including The Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MA.

Currently, my interest is focused on leadership development for nurses to include nurse anesthetists. I write a weekly leadership blog article published on www.prosynex.com and have published a leadership book; Leader Reader 1, Authentic Lessons in Leadership. (see below for the URL for the blog and the book). In addition, I conduct workshops and webinars that teach values-based leadership skills to those interested in creating a preferred workplace.

I keep a busy speaking schedule and frequently give talks at state nurse anesthesia meetings. In addition, I have done numerous breakout sessions with students. Recently, I taught values-based leadership to the students at Gonzaga University.

How did Allen College help prepare you for where you are now?

Allen provided the foundation, inspiration, and self-confidence to take on challenges throughout my entire career. In addition to the activities described above, I am also in the process of earning a DNAP from Midwestern University in Arizona.

What was your first job out of nursing school?

United States Air Force. I enjoyed the experience, especially the three years that I lived in Tokyo, Japan.

Share any hobbies/ interests?

Aerobic sports to include marathon running, triathlons, hiking and cycling. Currently, my focus is on cycling and plan one day to ride coast to coast.

What piece of advice would you give to current Allen students

Dream big and work hard. You can do it but nobody will hand it to you…have a vision, make a plan and then do the work necessary to achieve it.

Tom’s book:

Book URL https://www.amazon.com/Leader-Reader-Authentic-Lessons-Leadership/dp/1520815263
Blog URL http://prosynex.com/blog-masonry-full-2-columns