The Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON) congratulates Tomas E. Ceremuga, PhD, CRNA, LTC (ret), ANC, USA for receiving the 2018 Researcher of the Year Award presented by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) Foundation. Dr. Ceremuga is a faculty member for LHSON’s United States Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (USAGPAN)

"We are incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Ceremuga as one of our esteemed faculty in our program. Our highly trained, educated and successful graduates are a testament of his expertise, dedication and passion for education," said COL Denise M. Beaumont, CRNA, Director of the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing.

According to the AANA, the Researcher of the Year Award is named in memory of John F. Garde, a previous Foundation Trustee, AANA Executive Director and charter member of the AANA Foundation. The John F. Garde Researcher of the Year Award recognizes people who have made significant contributions to the practice of anesthesia through research.

Dr. Ceremuga received his Bachelors degree in psychology at Youngstown State University and his MSN in Anesthesia Nursing at the University of Akron. He continued his education in the Neuroscience program at the Uniformed Services University in Maryland. He received his PhD in 2003, and then became a biochemistry and pharmacology instructor in the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. A co-worker of Ceremuga admires his service stating, “His research has culminated in twenty-three publications in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Ceremuga has been selfless in his research activities. For example, he has mentored 108 student nurse anesthetists in implementing all aspects of research. His service to his students and nurse anesthesia make him more than deserving of the John F. Garde Researcher of the Year Award.”
The U.S. Army and Baylor University boast a long and proud heritage in health-related graduate education. For more than half a century, the Baylor University Graduate School has been the academic host for health-related programs affiliated with the U.S. Army, principally at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, but also at the following: U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York; Madigan Army Medical Center, Ft. Lewis, Washington; William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Ft. Bliss, Texas; and, Darnall Army Medical Center, Ft. Hood, Texas. Baylor University is honored by the privilege of serving our country through these health-related educational programs. Such military graduate and professional programs are highly compatible with Baylor's long heritage in preparing students for professional education in medicine, nursing, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other allied-health professions.