Meet Our Faculty

Sarah Giron, PhD, CRNA, FAANA
School Director

Sarah joined as faculty of KPSA in 2019.

Education:

  • BS in Biochemistry and Cellular Biology: University of California, San Diego
  • BS in Nursing: Columbia University
  • MS in Nurse Anesthesia: Columbia University
  • PhD in Nursing with emphasis in Psychoneuroimmunology: University of San Diego

Teaching Areas and Research Interests:

  • Pain
  • Cardiac
  • Burns
  • Organ Transplant
  • Neuro, Neuromuscular Blockade Pharmacology
  • Inhalational Pharmacology
  • Data Set Analysis
  • Longitudinal Assessment
  • Held numerous positions with CANA and NBCRNA
  • Currently serves on the Board of Directors with NBCRNA
  • Director of the Kaiser Permanente Anesthesia Technology Program since 2021
Otoniel “Tony” Castillo, Cer ATT, BS
Co-Director

Tony joined as faculty of KPAT in 2012.

Education:

  • BA: California Polytechnic University, Pomona

Teaching Areas and Research Interests:

  • Anesthesia technology
  • Invasive lines
  • Education
  • Cardiac and transplant procedures
  • Anesthesia gas machines.
  • Served on numerous committees and leadership roles within ASATT and CoA-ATE
  • Current member of the ASATT-NCE item writers committee
  • Serves as a CoA-ATE Site Visitor
Jeremy Heiner, EdD, CRNA, FAANA
Co-Director

Jeremy joined as academic faculty in 2008.

Education:

  • BSN: University of Utah, 2001
  • MSN Anesthesia: Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia/CSU Fullerton
  • EdD: CSU Fullerton, 2013

Teaching Areas and Research Interests:

  • Airway
  • Critical events
  • Crisis management
  • Respiratory physiology & pathophysiology
  • Anesthesia simulation
  • Served on and chaired multiple committees with NBCRNA
  • Serves as the KPSA Head of Admissions
Sara Paraspolo, Cer ATT, AS
Director of Clinicals

Sara joined as faculty of KPAT in 2021.

Education:

  • Graduate of KPAT, 2011
  • AS Biological & Physical Science: Citrus College, 2009

Teaching Areas and Research Interests:

  • Clinical aspects and practices of anesthesia technology
  • Physiology
  • Simulation in anesthesia academia
  • Regional anesthesia
  • Currently serving with the ASATT-NCE item writers committee
Sass Elisha, EdD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN
Instructor

Sass joined as academic faculty in 2001 and became the Assistant Director, Head of Clinical in 2009.

Education:

  • BSN: CSULB, 1991
  • MSN: KPSA/CSULB, 1996
  • EdD: Pepperdine University, 2005

Teaching Areas and Research Interests:

  • Cardiac anatomy and physiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Adult education
  • Clinical evaluation
  • Served as a director with the Council on Accreditation (COA)
  • Named a Fellow of the AANA in 2021
Jennifer Thompson, DNP, CRNA
Instructor

Jennifer joined as academic faculty in 2009 and became the Assistant Director, Head of Academics in 2021.

Education:

  • BSN: Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, 1998
  • MSN Anesthesia: Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia/CSU Fullerton, 2004
  • DNP: Southern California CSU DNP Consortium, 2014

Teaching Areas and Research Interests:

  • Ultrasound Guidance in peripheral nerve blockade
  • Obstetric anesthesia
  • Bariatrics
  • Pharmacology
  • Patient safety
  • Adult education
  • Multimedia learning
  • Served on and chaired multiple committees with NBCRNA
Sandra Bordi, DNP, CRNA
Instructor

Sandra joined as academic faculty in 2007.

Education:

  • BSN: Bowling Green State University, Ohio
  • MSN Anesthesia: Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia/CSU Fullerton, 2003
  • DNP: Southern California CSU DNP Consortium, 2014

Teaching Areas and Research Interests:

  • Pain physiology
  • Pharmacology and management
  • Endocrine physiology and pathophysiology
  • Geriatric anesthesia
  • Simulation in nurse anesthesia academia
  • Evidence-based practice
  • Admission criteria for nurse anesthesia education
  • Nurse anesthesia policy and advocacy
  • Served on and chaired committees with the NBCRNA and CANA
  • Currently serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors for CANA and KPSA Head of Simulation
Mark Gabot, DNP, CRNA, FAANA
Instructor

Mark joined as faculty of KPSA in 2022.

Education:

  • BSN: Azusa Pacific University, 2004
  • MSN Anesthesia: Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia/CSU Fullerton, 2007
  • DNP: University of Nevada, Reno, 2021

Teaching Areas and Research Interests:

  • Hepatology, hematology, thoracic surgery, and technology for nurse anesthesia practice
  • Patient safety, quality assurance and improvement
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice project coordinator
  • Held positions with CANA
  • Currently serves on multiple committees with AANA
Thomas Bachtler, DNP, CRNA, CENP
Instructor

Thomas joined as faculty of KPSA in 2024.

Education:

  • BSN: Bradley University, 2008
  • MSN Anesthesia: Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia/CSU Fullerton, 2013
  • DNP: Rush University, 2022

Teaching Areas and Research Interests:

  • Diabetes, Cardiac, Pulmonary diseases, Antimicrobials, Anaphylaxis
  • Ultrasonographic techniques (TEE, PoCUS)
  • Patient safety, quality improvement and advocacy
  • Evidence-Based Practice and Adult Education
  • Current CANA trustee and committee co-lead
  • Previous multi-term KPNAA President

Meet Our Staff Specialists

Sandra W. Snow-Hinkson
Staff Specialist

Sandra has worked for the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia for the last 18 years as an Administrative Specialist III. Sandra attended Ashford University where she completed her baccalaureate in Business Information Systems in 2014 and her MBA in 2015. Sandra provides clerical support to the faculty and students and assists with new student onboarding and the transition of our KP SRNAs into the workforce.

Janet Stephens
Staff Specialist

Janet has worked at Kaiser since 2001 and has been employed at the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia since 2017. Janet provides clerical support to the faculty and assists students to help them transition smoothly through the program.

Meet Our Alumni

 
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