FORT GORDON, Ga. -- The Eisenhower Army Medical Center held a graduation ceremony for the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing on June 19, at the medical center.

For nearly 50 years, the U.S. Army has prepared Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and since 1969, Army graduates have earned graduate degrees through Universities affiliated with the U.S. Army.

Graduates from the 36-month program earn a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from the Northeastern University School of Nursing.

The program is open to Active Duty U.S. Army and Air Force, Reserve, and Civilian Applicants and consists of two phases, a 12-month classroom phase located at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, followed by a 24-month clinical phase at Fort Gordon, Ga.

Program Graduates were Maj. Kenneth M. Aytes, Maj. Brooke L. Kahl, Capt. Bryan S. Ferrara, and Capt. Mark A. Alleyn.

USAGPAN produces almost all Army CRNAs and provides specialized training in regional and field anesthesia to ensure students are mission-ready. The program produces clinicians who are educated in the practice of nursing at the doctoral level with a focus on the unique skills of anesthesia nursing.

According to the program, the employment rate for USAGPAN graduates is 100 percent and the program graduated 68.5 percent of the initial class.