Rodney Overstreet, an Auburn University College of Nursing alumnus, received the University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing’s 2024 Alumni Achievement Award for Career Achievement in Nurse Anesthesia.
Overstreet graduated from AUCON with an undergraduate degree in nursing in 1997, and a master’s degree in nurse anesthesia from UAB in 2001. Currently serving as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at UAB Medical West, he gained valuable experience as a staff anesthetist at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Coosa Valley Medical Center and Baptist Medical Center South.
Born into a family of nurses, Rodney has always felt a deep calling to healing. His commitment to healing, instilled from a young age, extends beyond anesthesia. In addition to his clinical work, Rodney is a certified consulting hypnotist with specialized training in hypnosis for pain management. He emphasizes the importance of self-care for healthcare providers. "They taught us how to heal others, but neglected to teach us how to heal ourselves," Overstreet said.
His dedication to these areas is reflected in his role as the founder of Heal Our Healers, a nonprofit support group focused on preventing compassion fatigue and burnout, and addressing clinically acquired PTSD.
Overstreet was recently appointed to the Southern Medical Association’s (SMA) education committee, where he will serve as a nurse planner. In this position, he will contribute to the expansion of educational programming for nurses, emphasizing the importance of continuing education and professional development within the SMA’s multidisciplinary and interprofessional approach to patient care.
AUCON extends its sincere congratulations to Rodney Overstreet for his outstanding contributions to advancing the field of nurse anesthesia and his steady support for the well-being of healthcare providers. His dedication exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism and care in nursing.
