Aug. 9, 2007

Allied Health Professions dean wins outstanding educator award

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By Leila Ugincius

Cecil B. Drain, Ph.D.
Cecil B. Drain, Ph.D.

The dean of the VCU School of Allied Health Professions has won a prestigious award from the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

Cecil B. Drain, Ph.D. and certified registered nurse anesthetist, received the Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator Award Aug. 8 at the association’s annual national convention in Denver.

The award was presented to Drain for his commitment to the profession of nurse anesthesia and to the advancement of educational standards that further the art and science of anesthesiology, resulting in high-quality patient care. He is the 28th recipient of the annual award, which honors the pioneer who established the curriculum and standards for nurse anesthesia schools.

Dr. Drain and his wife, Cindy, are introduced to the crowd coming into the ballroom.
Dr. Drain and his wife, Cindy, are introduced to the crowd coming into the ballroom.

Drain has served as dean since 1997, moving the School of Allied Health Professions into one of the top 10 schools in the country. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the school No. 1 in nurse anesthesia; No. 4 in health administration; No. 13 in rehabilitation counseling; No. 15 in occupational therapy; and No. 25 in physical therapy. In addition, Modern Healthcare magazine ranked Health Administration’s MSHA program No. 2 in the nation for business graduate schools that train physician executives.

Dr. Drain (center) with his family. From left: daughter Kathryn Drain Ala of Midlothian, sons Stephen J. Drain and Timothy S. Drain of Texas and wife Cynthia M. Drain.
Dr. Drain (center) with his family. From left: daughter Kathryn Drain Ala of Midlothian, sons Stephen J. Drain and Timothy S. Drain of Texas and wife Cynthia M. Drain.

Under Drain, the school’s enrollment has doubled, and he has facilitated the development of four doctoral programs including the Ph.D. in Health Related Sciences, which is ranked in the 25th percentile in the country. Before joining VCU, Drain had a distinguished 27-year career in the U.S. Army. He retired from the Army at the rank of colonel and joined VCU as chair of the Department of Nurse Anesthesia in 1993.

The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists is the professional association of the advanced-practice nurses who provide approximately 65 percent of the anesthesia given annually in the United States in procedures ranging from open heart surgery to pain management.