Focus on Faculty: Beth Ann Clayton

Focus On highlights faculty, staff, students and researchers at the UC Academic Health Center. To suggest someone to be featured, please email uchealthnews@uc.edu.

Beth Ann Clayton, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), has been named director of the UC College of Nursing’s nurse anesthesia program. She replaces William "Terry” Ray, PhD, who retired at the end of June. 

Clayton comes to UC with 20 years of nurse anesthesia experience and expertise in obstetric anesthesia. She served as visiting assistant professor of clinical nursing at UC for 17 years and adjunct assistant professor of clinical nursing at UC for two years. 

"The Nurse Anesthesia program at UC College of Nursing is an esteemed program with a 70-year history. We are thrilled to have someone of Beth Ann’s caliber lead the program, which we believe graduates some of the best nurse anesthetists in the country,” says Greer Glazer, PhD, College of Nursing dean. "Her passion to deliver and teach others the safest care at all times, her national presence and pursuit for excellence and integrity will serve our students well.”

The nurse anesthesia program at UC has regularly been ranked among the top programs of its kind by U.S. News and World Report and, beginning in January 2016, will begin training Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) students through to their Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP). This new BSN to DNP path will replace the traditional master’s degree earned by nurse anesthesia students. 

UC College of Nursing student writer Katie Coburn talked with Clayton about her new role and vision for the program. 

What interested you in this new role?

"The nurse anesthesia program at the University of Cincinnati has a long and distinguished history. It has been among the leading programs in the United States for many, many years. It is with good fortune that I have spent 19 years directly engaged with the program. Mentors and colleagues in the program and beyond have taught me the art of teaching didactically and clinically, the importance of participation within your national association and the responsibility to contribute to nurse anesthesia education beyond your immediate community.

"Since my exposure to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Education Committee as the national student representative in 1995, I saw the profound impact that deeply caring professionals can have on our profession. I knew I wanted to teach and I aspired to be a program director. Once in Cincinnati, I learned much from the past obstetric anesthesia clinical coordinator, Carolyn Nicholson, and program directors Vera Griner and Wanda Wilson. The opportunity to follow in their footsteps is a dream come true!”

What is your vision for the program?

"It is my aspiration to ensure this program maintains the provision of academic and clinical excellence and restore this program to a top ten ranking.

"The initial vision is to create a top-tier clinical doctorate program with our first class in January 2016.  We will spend some time in the coming year defining and articulating a vision the students and faculty find exciting and personally engaging.”

Outside of the nurse anesthesia program, what interests you?

"That is kind of a funny question for me because the majority of my life revolves around nurse anesthesia whether it is with the UC nurse anesthesia program, lecturing around the country on obstetric anesthesia, or working on efforts for the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. 

"However, my important outside interests are family, fitness, the outdoors and faith and service.”

Clayton is married Peter Clayton, executive director of business affairs administration for the College of Medicine’s internal medicine department. They have three children, sons Matthew, 17, Bradley, 14, and daughter Avery, 6. The Claytons also have a golden retriever named Mo.