Life as an Anesthesia Director in Rural Alaska with Dr. April Erickson

Could you imagine working in a rural location where access is truly a lifeline for people? Today’s guest is April Erickson, DNP, CRNA, an ​Alaska ​based ​nurse ​anesthesiologist ​and ​anesthesia ​medical ​director ​with ​more ​than ​15 ​years ​of ​experience ​in ​rural ​independent ​practice. Sharon and guest host Jackie Rowles, DNP, MBA, MA, CRNA, ANP-BC, NSPM-C, FNAP, FAANA, FAAN, sit down with April to discuss frontier medicine, independent practice, leadership, and what it truly means to provide care where access is critical but not guaranteed. Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode: 🚁 Weather and geography can delay patient transport for days 🐻 Providers manage unique trauma cases including bear attacks and fishing injuries ⚖️ Leadership and advocacy are essential for protecting independent practice 🧠 Solo practice demands constant vigilance and multiple contingency plans 🌍 Frontier medicine requires creativity, resilience, and broad clinical expertise   Join Sharon at the Nurse Anesthesia Update in the Bahamas: https://www.nurseanesthetist.com/events/nurse+anesthesia+update+2026/ Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099 Want to get CE Credit for listening? Go here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/special-announcement-ce-credt/ Now you can watch the show on YouTube! Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCknrmkRxiwtYk7LUjSV6wmw?sub_confirmation=1