Victor Pareja’s interest in anesthesiology began during his service in the United States Marine Corps, where he met a Naval CRNA who inspired him to pursue the career. Committed to following his new passion, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of North Florida and then gained critical-care experience in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach, Florida. He was accepted to the Nurse Anesthesiology program at Barry University in 2018 and completed his Master of Science in Anesthesiology in 2020.
Now, as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), Pareja practices at Orlando Health, South Seminole Hospital in Longwood, Florida, and Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando, Florida. But his devotion to his clinical practice still leaves room for another key interest: mentorship. Paraja serves as a preceptor for Barry’s Post Graduate Year One (PGY-1) student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNA). He works to develop close relationships in the clinical setting and beyond. “The future of the profession lies in the tutelage and support of SRNAs,” he says. “Mentorship is paramount.”
To deepen his impact as a role model for the next generation of CRNAs, Pareja started the Academic and Clinical Excellence (ACE) scholarship award, which recognizes an exemplar Barry University Nurse Anesthesiology student in their second clinical semester (one of the most challenging clinical semesters). He also participates regularly in Barry’s simulation workshops, which he views as integral to aiding the clinical performance of SRNAs.
To further cultivate his passion for teaching and mentoring, Pareja is currently pursuing his Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). He hopes to advance his career through positions in academia, where he can continue making an impact on future nurse anesthetists.