Award recognizes individuals, external to the institution, who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to advancing the University of Maryland School of Nursing.
The 2019 Dean’s Medal for Distinguished Service was awarded John Bing, CRNA, at the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) convocation ceremony on May 16.
Bing was honored as an outstanding leader and practitioner who has represented nurse anesthesia at the state, national, and international levels with a special focus on nurses of color. Recognizing a significant need for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) throughout Maryland, he was instrumental in establishing the Nurse Anesthesia program at the school, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. He secured the initial grant to open the program and personally championed its support from the state Legislature and area hospitals. The nationally ranked top-10 program now has more than 240 graduates and reflects an unprecedented level of diversity, with 60% of students representing racial and ethnic diversity.
Since 2008, he has served as the president of the Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program, which fosters diversification of nurse anesthesia degree programs throughout the United States.
“His mentorship of prospective Nurse Anesthesia applicants has resulted in them being admitted to 52 of the 121 Nurse Anesthesia programs in the United States,” UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, said at the ceremony. “Globally, he has given back by providing medical care to more than 1,000 Central American families whose children were born with a cleft lip/palate, and he regularly includes nurse anesthesia students in these humanitarian missions. Mr. Bing has served on many boards and committees, promoting the importance of diversifying the workforce, and is the past chair of the UMSON Board of Visitors.”
In 2017, Kirschling established the Dean’s Medal for Distinguished Service to recognize individuals, external to the institution, who have demonstrated “an exceptional commitment to advancing the University of Maryland School of Nursing and its mission.” Previous awardees include Bill and Joanne Conway, who have donated more than $15 million to UMSON through their Bedford Falls Foundation, and Lisa Rowen, DNSc, RN, CENP, FAAN, chief nurse executive, University of Maryland Medical System, and senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer, University of Maryland Medical Center.