Mount Marty University Nurse Anesthesia Program

02/19/2026

Hi Nurse Anesthesia Alumni, we would love to see you at the event to welcome President Mark Brown. Our current DNAP faculty would love to socialize over some axe-throwing and bowling 🎉

Party for our in Sioux Falls! 🎉
Register here 👉https://loom.ly/oPA4TUw

02/07/2026

🌟 DNAP Faculty Friday Feature: Clinical Director 🌟
🌟 Paul Beninga, MS, CRNA, FAANA 🌟

🎓 DNAP — Mount Marty University, expected '27
🎓 MS in Nurse Anesthesia — Mount Marty College '93
🎓 BSNursing — Creighton University '89
🎓 BS in Biology (Chemistry minor) — SD State University '87

💪 32+ years of clinical practice and counting!

👏👏 During his SDANA Presidency in 2005, South Dakota secured CRNA independent practice (opt-out)—expanding access to anesthesia care across rural communities, where CRNAs remain the sole providers in 83% of anesthetizing counties. 👏👏

🫁💉🩺 Clinical Experience
• Current and longstanding practice role at Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center
• Earlier career experience in Rapid City, SD and Topeka, KS

01/29/2026

Congratulations to one of our very own graduates! 💛🎓

We recently received the following message from a patient, and couldn't agree more! He is awesome!

“I had a consultation with Keith, CRNA, the day before my surgery. I have had a lot of surgeries and am a difficult intubation. Because of that I’ve had many awful intubations and was scared for another one. Keith listened to my concerns, was kind, compassionate and knowledgeable. We came up with a game plan for the next day and I left feeling much better about the process. The morning of surgery he came in and made sure I was comfortable and gave pre-surgery meds to help ease my fears. It all went very well. He gave me confidence in your facility and staff for any future medical procedures I may need. Keith also called me at home to see how I was feeling. All of the staff that had a part in my surgery were great, but he was the best!”

Help us show Keith some love 👇

01/24/2026

🌟 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.

01/09/2026

🌟 DNAP Faculty Friday Feature: Wendy Welty, BS, CRNA, APRN, CHSE 🌟

Wendy Welty has been a CRNA for over 30 years, spending her entire career with Avera McKennan. She has worked in the Level II Main OR, served 9 years as Director of the Anesthesia Department, and 4 years at the Avera Surgical Center.

Last May, she joined the Mount Marty Nurse Anesthesia Program, where she teaches in the Simulation and Skills Lab, leads an online summer course, and assists with hospital site visits. She also recently earned her Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) credential to support the program’s new high-fidelity AI simulator.

Wendy shares, “It has been a joy working with students. They are energetic and eager to learn, and this feels like a way to give back to my profession.”

Faith, family, and service guide her life. She volunteers with Lifelight, Mission Haiti, and Compassion International, and loves time with her husband, four children, and four grandchildren. Outside of work, you’ll find her enjoying lake days, hiking, trail walks, and staying active at the gym.

We are grateful for the experience, heart, and dedication Wendy brings to the Mount Marty Anesthesia team! 💙

12/24/2025

❄️☃️ Holiday cheer was in full swing at the DNAP campus!
Our Door Decorating Contest brought out the creativity in both learners and teachers. Congratulations to this year’s student and faculty door winners! ☃️❄️

Wishing everyone a joyful and restful holiday season! Merry Christmas from the DNAP program🎄

12/19/2025

🌟 DNAP Faculty Friday Feature: Codi Schrempp, DNAP, CRNA 🌟

🎓 Earned her DNAP from the Mount Marty Nurse Anesthesia Program — 2023

Adjunct Professor Schrempp teaches Clinical Correlation I, II, and III online — courses designed to strengthen students’ test-taking skills, reinforce key didactic content, and connect classroom learning with real-world clinical experiences. Her work plays a vital role in preparing SRNAs for the rigor of board exams and the complexity of clinical practice.

Clinically, Schrempp has spent the past 2.5 years as a CRNA at Monument Health in Rapid City, where she has developed a special interest in cardiothoracic anesthesia. She also enjoys continuing her impact beyond the virtual classroom by precepting students in the clinical setting.

At home, life is full and lively with her son, daughter, cows, chickens, and horses. And when she’s not chasing kids or critters, you can find her savoring the quiet joy of her garden. 🌿

We’re grateful for the knowledge, dedication, and heart she brings to the Mount Marty Anesthesia community! 💙

12/12/2025

The Nurse Anesthesia faculty and staff came together outside the classrooms and ORs to serve our community, living out the philosophy that guides our program. 💛

Personal Growth ✝ Professional Commitment ✝ Community Service

12/05/2025

👏 Congratulations to DNAP student Jeff Wanner. We recognize this achievement on his journey toward becoming a CRNA.

12/05/2025

🌟 DNAP Faculty Friday Feature: Rachel Krier, DNAP, CRNA 🌟
🎓 DNAP, Mount Marty Nurse Anesthesia Program — 2022
💉 CRNA at Sanford Health in Sioux Falls for the past 3 years
Adjunct Professor Krier teaches Role Development I & II, Cognizance in Anesthesia Practice, and Seminar (Business Models) online — helping students navigate the profession’s evolving roles, policies, and expectations. She was recently invited to serve on this year’s Clinical Simulation Evaluation Panel, supporting student readiness for advanced clinical practice.
Clinically, she brings strong experience from her work at Sanford Health, providing high-quality anesthesia care across diverse surgical settings.
Service is important to her — she regularly volunteers at local shelters, giving back to the community she loves.
“In my element, I’m adventuring outdoors with my husband and two sons — hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and exploring whenever we can.”
📖 Favorite Bible Verse:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13
We’re so grateful for the expertise, heart, and dedication Professor Krier brings to the Mount Marty Anesthesia team! 💙

11/21/2025

🌟 DNAP Faculty Friday Feature: Maggie Hortness, MSN, CRNA 🌟

🎓 MSN from Mount Marty Nurse Anesthesia Program -- 2015

🎓 Currently completing her DNAP at Mount Marty -- 2025!

Assistant Professor Hortness teaches Anesthesia Principles I, II, and III while pursuing her doctorate — talk about dedication! As part of her ongoing work, she’s driven further integration of simulation as evaluation to bridge classroom learning to clinical practice - ensuring SRNA readiness for Phase II Clinical.

Clinically, Hortness brings 10 years of CRNA experience, including high-acuity cases at a Level I Trauma Center and, most recently, providing nurse anesthesia care to surgical patients in rural communities.

At home, she and her husband are raising FIVE young boys! 👦👦👦👦👦

Students say Professor Hortness is incredibly knowledgeable, approachable, and truly cares about their success. We’re so lucky to have her on the Mount Marty Anesthesia team! 💙

11/19/2025

Happy Birthday, Dr. Jim Barnett!!!
Your steady leadership and unwavering support have truly become the backbone of our program. With 25+ years as a CRNA, 4 years as part of the Mount Marty family, and now 1 year as our Program Director, you’ve made an incredible impact on our students, faculty, and the future of this profession. Thank you for being our rock, our guide, and a constant source of strength and encouragement. We’re so grateful for you!