The department of Anesthesiology operates 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week.

Anesthesiology Services at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial are provided by a staff of (Board) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). They have completed rigorous training programs and successfully passed national certification exams by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Annual, continuing medical education updates are also required.

The latest in technology and equipment are used in the Operating Rooms to provide state-of-the-art anesthesia care to all our patients. Our CRNAs have trained at large metropolitan hospitals brining you experience second to none.

Before your surgery, our CRNAs will meet with you to discuss your anesthesia. A plan will be formulated and discussed with your surgeon. We provide all types of anesthesia, including General, Spinal, Epidural and various other kinds of nerve blocks. Your CRNA will give you your anesthetic and monitor your vital signs throughout the surgery. Your heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and oxygen levels will be watched continuously while you are under our care.

Once surgery is completed you will be taken to a Recovery Room. Your care will continue with our competent, capable nursing staff.

The department is administered by a staff of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA): Dave Poel, Jeff Hawker, Marc Gardiner, Erich Heger and Paul Carey. Together these professionals have over 100 years of experience in providing high quality anesthesiology.

Paul Carey CRNA Ravenswood Hospital, DePaul University | Evanston IL | 1995 Started at Gerber Memorial 4/2007 Marc Gardiner CRNA Henry Ford Hospital, University of Detroit/Mercy | Detroit MI | 1998 Started at Gerber Memorial 3/2004 Jeff Hawker CRNA Lee Hospital School of Anesthesia, University of Pittsburg | Johnstown PA | 1984 Started at Gerber Memorial 4/1996 Erich Heger CRNA North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Wake Forest Medical Center | Winston-Salem NC | 1991 Started at Gerber Memorial 10/2005 Dave Poel CRNA Mercy School of Anesthesia | Altoona PA | 1980 Started at Gerber Memorial 4/1992