Bill Waldron '84
CRNA, MS | Lebanon VA Medical Center, Indian Health Services Hospital

After graduation in 1984, I spent several years in the medical malpractice industry. This stirred a desire I had always harbored to become directly involved in caring for patients. After researching many potential avenues and with two young children at home, Tiffany '07 and William, I decided to become a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist). Initially, I completed my nursing degree and became a critical care RN. I was then accepted into the Pennsylvania Hospital/St. Joseph's University Graduate Nurse Anesthesia Program. To have found a profession that I love and which challenges me on a daily basis has truly been a gift. I have been fortunate to be able to provide anesthesia care in multiple settings including Level 1 Trauma centers, Cardiac Anesthesia and in rural critical access hospitals. As an officer in the US Naval Reserve, I have had the honor to work at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Medical Center. Additionally, I have been a Clinical and Didactic Instructor for multiple graduate nursing programs. Presently, as a CRNA at a VA Medical Center and a contracted Anesthesia Provider at an Indian Health Services Hospital, I am on the frontline of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic through emergent airway and ventilator management.  
 
Lafayette created the foundation for very successful careers in both healthcare and coaching high school boys lacrosse. My time as a student and member of the men's lacrosse team furnished the academic skill and drive to be successful in these two arenas of my life. My time at Lafayette was challenging to say the least, but by being a graduate it opened doors to many possibilities, and more importantly, provided me with the confidence to go through those doors and pursue greater goals. Being an athlete on one of the best teams in Lafayette men's lacrosse history created great memories and the desire to give back to the sport. I continue to play competitive lacrosse and often cross paths with former teammates John Floyd-Jones '85, Curt Levine '85, Warren Breig '83 and Dave Burnett '81. It's always great to share memories and still compete against these former Lafayette teammates. My passion for the game pushed me to become involved in coaching and I have been a high school boys head coach for the past 20 years. Winning a state championship and multiple district championships has provided some tangible rewards, but it has been the opportunity to work with and develop enduring relationships with so many great young men that has made coaching such a worthwhile endeavor. I cherish my time at Lafayette for providing the foundation for a successful life, creating a hunger for success and in nurturing the desire to be involved in helping others whether through caring for others or reaching their goals on the athletic field.  
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered both of my "work" environments. As an anesthesia provider, my world has changed dramatically. We experienced a rapid shift away from the everyday practice of providing anesthesia in the operating room environment to indoctrination into the proper use of PPE in a pandemic, and more importantly, to the determination of whether there was an adequate supply of that PPE and, if not, what alternatives could be manufactured as needed. Additionally, there was a constant flow of ever-changing information on how to properly treat COVID-19 patients which made for stressful and very intense changes to my daily routine. Discussions with my wife, Kelly Sendell Schnur, '85, about whether alternative housing would be needed so that I wouldn't expose her or other family members to COVID-19 became the norm. I am still in the midst of dealing with the pandemic and continue to learn about the most up-to-date and effective methods to deal with it. This will be put to the test as I head to South Dakota this week to provide anesthesia coverage to an Indian Health Services Hospital.  My prior experience working there and knowledge gained through these past eight weeks will serve me well in caring for this potentially at-risk population.  
 
The COVID-19 pandemic also significantly impacted my life as a coach. As our high school team was about to embark on the start of what was hoped to be a very successful season and after months of hard work, the disappointment and hurt that my team experienced when the season was canceled was very difficult to address, despite knowing that the decision to cancel was the correct one. The lost look on my boys' faces at the realization of losing their ability to play a game they love was a hard pill to swallow. It may have been the hardest loss on the athletic field I've experienced. As a coach, it was important to create a positive approach to this decision and the challenges it presented to the team. In talking to my seniors as they prepare for graduation today, their loss is still palpable and I hurt for them having to miss so many significant life events.  
 
The pandemic created a whirlwind of challenges, disappointments and increased fears for our family as we dealt with our separation from other family members both due to geographic distance and the fear of exposing at-risk family members to the virus. I have always loved the challenge of caring for complex patients and being part of the "tip of the spear" in treating them but, for perhaps the first time in my career, I have been wary of exposing myself as it could have consequences for my immediate family.  
 
My message to fellow Lafayette alums as we work our way through this pandemic is to heed the rules of social distancing and personal protection. While our knowledge base is growing and developing, there is no absolute set of rules on how to respond and no crystal ball as to what is to come. However, we all need to support each other and make the extra effort to reach out to friends and family. Everyone, whether COVID-19 positive or negative, has been affected and needs to know that they have a community there to help them deal with this event. Every day I am challenged to give my best to my patients, my players, and most importantly, my family despite the challenges, disappointments and dangers of this pandemic. As I told my senior players, let this be a time that strengthens us and fuels us to do more instead of allowing it to diminish us. My Lafayette experience gave me the foundation to deal with new challenges and be successful and should serve today's graduates as well.  

Bill Waldron was a four-year member of the men's lacrosse team at Lafayette and currently coaches the Wilson High School boys' lacrosse team in West Lawn, Pa.