Today, Frances Pastuszka, DNP, CRNA 鈥22, is a successful nurse anesthetist, working in Long Island, New York. And she couldn鈥檛 hope for a more fulfilling path in health care.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a rewarding career,鈥 Frances said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 interesting. It鈥檚 challenging. I would not be the same person right now if it wasn鈥檛 for my job.鈥
In appreciation of Rush University鈥檚 critical role in helping her to get there, Frances and her fiance, Kenny Lam, recently made a $100,000 gift to Rush to support students and bolster the , or CRNAs.
The couple was happy to support Rush鈥檚 CRNA program after seeing how well it prepared Frances to be a highly respected and in-demand nurse anesthetist.
鈥淩ush produces top-quality, 鈥楢鈥 students that can lead the pack,鈥 Kenny said.
But excelling as a CRNA wasn鈥檛 always so certain for Frances.
Finding a good support system
After finishing her undergraduate degree in nursing, Frances 鈥 born and raised in Chicago 鈥 was accepted to two CRNA programs. Knowing the prestige of Rush鈥檚 program, Frances said the choice was simple.
鈥淩ight away, I knew I was going to go to Rush,鈥 she said.
At Rush, Frances had great experiences, both clinically and in the operating room, including being exposed to challenging cases that prepared her for her career today. She had the opportunity to work in a variety of areas, such as general surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, interventional radiology and pediatric surgery. She was also able to access state-of-the-art technology in the .
鈥淚 got a little bit of everything when it came to experience,鈥 Frances said. 鈥淭hat helped me a lot.鈥
But during her time at Rush, Frances faced personal struggles with family, finances and the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges, combined with the demands of the rigorous CRNA program, led Frances to question if she鈥檇 be able to graduate.
That鈥檚 where her support system, including the Rush community, stepped in.
, director of the Nurse Anesthesia program, was dedicated to ensuring Frances was well-supported. While Yamashita鈥檚 schedule is packed with clinical, surgical and program director responsibilities, she took time to meet weekly with Frances to work on strategies to help her successfully navigate the program.
鈥淲ithout Maiko, I wouldn鈥檛 be a CRNA,鈥 Frances said. 鈥淚 owe everything to her.鈥
Frances was also supported by other faculty members, who went above and beyond during her time at Rush. This support is a component of the wellness pillar of Rush CRNA鈥檚 program. Recognizing that students鈥 mental and physical performance are just as important as their academic performance, Rush has developed a program that fosters a culture of wellness through various resources, including the .
鈥淩ush honestly just cares,鈥 Kenny said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not a standard program where you pass or fail, and you鈥檙e just another number on a sheet. They have compassion for their students.鈥
Frances also received daily support from Kenny, whom she met while completing the program. When the couple was dating, Frances and Kenny had daily phone calls, during which they would discuss positives and negatives from the day before, what was outside of Frances鈥 control, and what she could do to make the most of the day ahead.
鈥淚 would try to motivate her,鈥 Kenny said. 鈥淚鈥檓 all about positive energy. It was difficult at times, but we always found that positivity. She continually got up to face the day鈥檚 challenges.鈥
Frances added, 鈥淜enny was a mentor to me, not only my boyfriend at the time. I think it鈥檚 really important to have a good support system in a full-time CRNA program.鈥
Making a difference through investing in others
Kenny and Frances recognize that the level of dedication Rush鈥檚 faculty provides is unique and has played a crucial role in Frances鈥 success.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the tribe that really pushes you through the tough times,鈥 Kenny said. 鈥淲ithout that tribe, it鈥檚 not going to happen. Rush was a part of that tribe. That鈥檚 why we wanted to give back.鈥
This year, Frances and Kenny 鈥 the CEO and founding partner of Blue Ocean Property Group 鈥 decided to make a philanthropic gift to Rush.
鈥淭he journey at Rush was special; it meant a lot to Frances,鈥 Kenny said. 鈥淲ith this type of experience, the only thing you can do is give back.鈥
Frances felt supported throughout her time at Rush. And part of the inspiration for the gift was to support others, now that she is on the other side of it.
鈥淚 definitely had a lot of challenges that I had to overcome, but the program helped me become a much stronger person, anesthesia provider and nurse 鈥 everything,鈥 Frances said. 鈥淭he program helped us a lot, so we wanted to give back.鈥
The couple鈥檚 gift created The Pastuszka Lam Family Pathway to Excellence Fund, which is designed to support CRNA students and faculty, as well as educational enhancements in the CRNA program.
鈥淯ltimately, it鈥檚 to help people get a leg up on life,鈥 Kenny said. 鈥淗opefully, it can change someone鈥檚 perspective or give them that advantage to advance 鈥 and then possibly change the world.鈥
Yamashita said she is deeply honored and grateful to see the program receive such an incredible gift from a recent graduate. It reinforces her approach to educating students and encouraging them to give back when they become professionals.
"As a program director, one of my biggest pleasures has been being part of the process as students dedicate their lives to becoming excellent CRNAs,鈥 Yamashita said. 鈥淢y only request has been for students to give back after completing the program, whether through mentorship or supporting communities. I never expected a student to give back philanthropically like Frances has. This generosity reflects the lasting bond within our nurse anesthesia community and will have a meaningful impact on our students, faculty and program initiatives for years to come. It's a beautiful reminder of the difference we can make when we invest in each other."
