Mount Marty University Nurse Anesthesia Program

🌟 DNAP Faculty Friday Feature: Elise M. LeBrun, DNAP, CRNA, CHSE 🌟
🌟 Assistant Program Director, Simulation Lab Director 🌟

🎓 Education
• B.A. in Music (Voice) — South Dakota State University, 2012
• BSN — South Dakota State University, 2014
• DNAP — Mount Marty University, 2022

🩺 Clinical Experience & Education
Dr. LeBrun began her healthcare career as an ICU RN at Avera McKennan before earning her DNAP from Mount Marty University in 2022. Since then, she has been working clinically at Sanford USD Medical Center and Hospital and is part of the specialized pediatric anesthesia team.

Her passion for preparing SRNAs for clinical practice led her to become the program's Simulation Lab Director, where she continues advancing simulation education after earning her Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) credential.

📚 Interests & Service
Her professional and scholarship interests include simulation pedagogy, professional mentorship, and SRNA preceptorship in the clinical setting. She also enjoys volunteering with her children, at their school, and alongside her Sanford CRNA team and DNAP faculty colleagues.

“In my element, I’m camping with my husband, Dustin, and our five children, anticipating Christmas year-round, reading, attending shows at the Pavilion, and continuing to grow professionally. My motto is: Everything is figureoutable.”

We’re grateful for the leadership, energy, and innovation Dr. LeBrun brings to the Mount Marty Anesthesia team! 💙

Ready to take the next step toward a rewarding career as a nurse anesthetist? Applications are officially OPEN! If you or someone you know has been considering this path, now is the time to apply. 🎓💉

Celebrating our 2026 graduates! 🎓 Three years of dedication, resilience, and hard work have led to this incredible achievement—we are so proud of each and every one of you! 💛

Our program celebrated research and scholarly work at Mount Marty University’s Research Day.

The Class of ‘26 disseminated the results of their projects they implemented and evaluated over the last 2 years. These projects targeted CRNA provider groups, MMU SRNA cohorts, DNAP curriculum, and clinical site organizations. We are proud of the impact these future leaders made!

We also attended podium presentations by our very own faculty and students!
-Professor Maggie Hortness, DNAP Class of ‘26
-Dr. Bradley & Dr. Barthel
-Ashley Steadman, DNAP Class of ‘26
-Jeff Wanner, Wyatt Heezen, & Jack Eder, Class of ‘28

🌟 DNAP Faculty Friday Feature: Lindsey Barthel, RN, DNP, FNP-C 🌟

🎓 Education
• Lake Area Technical College (PN)
• University of South Dakota (ADN)
• South Dakota State University (BSN, MS-FNP, DNP)

💼 Role & Impact
Dr. Barthel has been part of the Mount Marty DNAP program since 2017, developing and teaching core doctoral courses including theory, leadership, health policy, research, and evidence-based practice.

🩺 Clinical Experience
She began in long-term care and now practices in rural health and primary care at Prairie Lakes Brown Clinic. She is also a trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and has led policy development for patient care. Her interests include APP mentorship and retention.

📚 Scholarship & Service
Her work focuses on faculty mentorship, online education, and student success, along with providing community education on key health topics.

“In my element, I’m spending time outdoors with my three kids — whether we’re at the lake or exploring fun spots across South Dakota. I also enjoy crocheting and have created several afghans to share with family and friends.”

We’re grateful for the passion and impact Dr. Barthel brings to the Mount Marty Anesthesia team! 💙

Phase I SRNAs linked theoretical lecture content to hands-on clinical skills for faculty & peers through 1) development of an anesthetic care plan 2) presentation 3) demonstration of a regional technique.

Mount Marty University DNAP students in the lab mastering essentials of anesthesia care.

💉 Spinal & Epidural placement
🩺 Fiberoptic bronchoscopy
🩻 Chest X-ray interpretation

Proud of these future leaders in the field! 👏

🌟 DNAP Faculty Feature: Physiologist 🌟
🌟 Michael E. Bradley, PhD 🌟

🎓 Ph.D. Physiology and Biophysics — University of Southern California
🎓 B.A. Interdisciplinary Studies — University of the Pacific

🔬 Postdoctoral Fellow & Research Assistant Professor — University of Nevada, Reno
🩺 Assistant Professor — Creighton University School of Medicine
🧬 Professor — Newman University

🤝Legacy of Mentorship: While this is Dr. Bradley’s first year with our DNAP program, he joins us with a storied history in academia. His departmental practitioner colleagues value his deep academic roots, while his past and present students recognize him as a pivotal advisor. Whether it’s guiding them toward the best courses for their career goals or meeting individually to master complex material, Dr. Bradley is known for going the extra mile to ensure his students succeed.

🧪 Research Interests: Mammalian cellular physiology, Uterine smooth muscle contractility, Vascular endothelial cell function, Growth control in cultured human cancer cells

🎸 Fun Fact: Mike is an avid woodworker and hobbyist. He also admits to owning "far more guitars than can be justified by my talent of playing them".

We’re hosting our first Program Information Session TODAY!

If you or someone you know has been considering a career in nurse anesthesia, this is a great opportunity to get your questions answered and learn more about Mount Marty University's program.

Get more information on
👉 application & admission processes,
👉 program curriculum
👉 clinicals, and more!

Visit mountmarty.edu/program-information-sessions for more details.

🌟 DNAP Faculty Friday Feature: Regional and Point of Care Experts 🌟

🌟Gabby Groos, DNP, CRNA 🌟
🎓 DNP from the University of Iowa — 2023
Passionate about regional techniques and the immediate impact on patient comfort and outcomes.

🌟Kellen Schmidt, MSN, CRNA 🌟
🎓 MSN from St. Mary’s University in Minneapolis — 2021
Drawn to autonomy in care delivery and technical mastery of spinals, epidurals, and peripheral nerve blocks.

Both practice clinically in Watertown — an independent rural setting.