“Rush prepared me well for an independent practice,” said Paul Henderson, CRNA ’79/CON, founder of Great Lakes Anesthesia. “It also presented me with some of the most difficult cases that I would encounter during my 40-year career.”
Before retiring in June 2016, Henderson’s company — which he and a fellow CRNA founded in 1999 — became one of the largest Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist-owned groups in the country and one of the largest anesthesiology groups in Indiana.
“Several times in my career, when I told people where I went to anesthesia school, there seemed to be a feeling of awe,” said Henderson, who was part of the College of Nursing’s anesthesia program, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2017. “Rush has a great reputation throughout the Midwest, and I’ve hired many Rush grads who have all been excellent.”
Henderson also served as a Vietnam-era veteran in the U.S. Air Force and as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves during Operation Desert Storm.
“During my years of administering anesthesia, I was amazed at the courage that many patients exhibited when faced with overwhelming health issues,” said Henderson. “And I know there were a few times in my career where my actions were responsible for saving a life — and there is nothing more rewarding than that.”