Mount Marty University Nurse Anesthesia Program

03/28/2026

🌟 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".

03/18/2026

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.

03/17/2026

We’re hosting a DNAP Information Session tomorrow! 🎓
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 our program.
Tag a friend who should check this out! 👇
🔗 Save your spot: mountmarty.edu/program-information-sessions

03/05/2026

Congratulations to Sydney Davis '15, who was honored with the Service to Agriculture Award during South Dakota Farmers Union’s annual Legislative Day!

The state’s largest agriculture organization recognized Senator Sydney Davis and Representative Tim Goodwin today, March 3, 2026, with the Service to Agriculture Award during South Dakota Farmers Union’s annual Legislative Day. “Family farmers and ranchers need strong advocates willing

02/28/2026

🌟 DNAP Faculty Friday Feature: Adjunct Faculty 🌟
🌟Teri Schlunsen, MS, CRNA, APRN 🌟

🎓 DNAP — Mount Marty University, expected ’27
🎓 MS in Nurse Anesthesia — Mount Marty College ’12
🎓 BSN — South Dakota State University ’04
🎓 BS in Medical Technology — Mount Marty College ’98

🎖️ Military leadership
🩺 Nursing
🧪 Laboratory science

📊 Inpatient Anesthesia Manager, Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD
🇺🇸 Staff CRNA, Major, United States Army Reserves

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! 💙