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As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), DARLENE BINGHAM says she is proud to be a part of the most dynamic, respected, and evolving field in health care. “The future for CRNAs is not just promising—it’s electrifying, with expanding roles, groundbreaking technology, and a growing recognition of just how vital CRNAs are to the future of anesthesia care,” says Bingham, who has been a practicing CRNA for 20 years, providing care in a wide variety of settings. “As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, I’m incredibly excited about what the future holds, not just for our profession, but for the patients and communities we serve.” Bingham earned a B.S. in nursing from Boston College, playing on the Women’s Division 1 Soccer team, before continuing to receive a M.S. in Nurse Anesthesiology from Rush University. She devotes her free time to giving back locally and globally, including a recent medical mission with Kenya Relief. “We treated 268 patients and performed 77 life-changing surgeries in Migori, Kenya,” adds Bingham. “What deeply inspires me is the global reach of this profession. Many CRNAs serve on international medical missions or in military and humanitarian efforts, providing life-saving anesthesia in some of the most resource-limited environments in the world. The ability to bring comfort, safety, and healing to patients in those situations is not just rewarding; it’s life changing.”
How do you give back to your community or industry? In addition to my work in health care and global missions, I’m deeply committed to supporting those in my own community—especially individuals and families affected by cancer. I proudly serve on the Board of Directors at Wellness House in Hinsdale, an organization that provides free programs, support, and resources for anyone facing cancer. For me, this work is deeply personal. It’s about surrounding people with care during some of their most difficult days and reminding them they are not alone. Giving back locally means investing in the strength, resilience, and wellness of the very community I call home—Hinsdale!
What legacy do you hope to leave behind? The legacy I hope to leave behind isn’t just about the title I held or the credentials after my name, it’s about how I used those gifts to serve others. I want my four children, and others in the community, to see that living a meaningful life means showing up with skill, compassion, and a willingness to give back.
You may follow Darlene Bingham on LinkedIn or social media.
