Dianna Heikkila

Programs and Courses Taught

Anesthesia Doctorate of Nursing Practice (ADNP) Program

NURSG 705 – Organizational & Systems Leadership in Complex Health Systems
NURSG 720 – Advanced Nursing Practice Conceptualization and Design
NURSG 721 – Advanced Nursing Practice Project Management
NURSG 730 – Advanced Nursing Practice Residency
NURSG 731 – Advanced Nursing Practice Residency
NURSG 732 – Advanced Nursing Practice Residency

About Me

Dr. Dianna Heikkila was born and raised in Woodland Hills, California. She received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Los Angeles Pierce College in May 1993. While attending nursing school, Dianna learned about the Nurse Anesthesia profession and was determined to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Dianna has practiced in various settings over the last two decades; however, her passion is for obstetrical anesthesia.

Dianna enjoys attending concerts and traveling with her family. 
She also has a “growth mindset” mentality and continues to challenge herself with new goals and ambitions.

Education

Walden University, Minneapolis, MN - Degree 2018 
Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services, PhD (Leadership specialization)

California State University, Fullerton, CA - Degree 2001  
Master of Science in Nursing, MSN (Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia)

University of Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ - Degree 1999 
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, BSN

Los Angeles Pierce College, Woodland Hills, CA  - Degree 1993 
Associate of Arts in Nursing, RN

Teaching Interests

Dr. Heikkila graduated from nursing school in 1993, Dianna has completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix, her Master of Science in Nursing from California State University, Fullerton, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Services focusing on Leadership from Walden University.

Dianna is passionate about professional advocacy and is currently on the Board of Directors as a Trustee for the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (CANA). Before her service with CANA, Dianna was President of the Idaho Association of Nurse Anesthetists (IDANA) from 2007 to 2009. She officially joined the Program of Nurse Anesthesia faculty in 2019; however, she was active with Samuel Merritt University's Program of Nurse Anesthesia as an admissions committee member and clinical site coordinator for Sutter, Sacramento. In 2023, Dianna moved from an adjunct faculty to assistant professor and projects director for the Anesthesia Doctorate of Nursing Practice (ADNP) Program.

Scholarly Interests

Dianna's teaching interests align with her research passions: emotional intelligence, burnout, and wellness. Other interests include teaching executive skills and organization to improve educational success.

Publications

Heikkila, Dianna. “The relationship between Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist’s’ emotional intelligence and burnout” (Publication NO. 10977802). [Doctoral dissertation, Walden University]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing 2018. 
“Anesthesia for the Geriatric Patient” in Nurse Anesthesia Secrets, 2005
Contributor to the third edition of Essentials of Perioperative Nursing, 2005
Heikkila, Dianna. “School-related expenses, living expenses, and income sources for graduate students in nurse anesthesia programs” Published in AANA Journal 2002.
70(1): 15-19.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Dianna has a “pay it forward” type attitude. It was a CRNA who initially inspired her to purse nurse anesthesia, therefore, she felt compelled to mentor those interested in the nurse anesthesia field. She is an active mentor to ICU nurses and nursing students who aspire to one day become a CRNA. It brings Dianna so much joy to watch a mentee transition from an eager ICU nurse to a Nurse Anesthesia Resident, and eventually a safe and competent CRNA, who provides quality anesthesia care. On more than one occasion, those mentee’s eventually become colleagues and lifelong friends.

Community Service

Community Service/Interests
Tyler Skaggs Foundation, 
Friends for Survival, Inc., 
TRF Foundation, and
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Honors & Awards

2019 - Nishimura Award for outstanding Clinical Faculty from Samuel Merritt University
2018 - Nishimura Award for outstanding Clinical Faculty from Samuel Merritt University
2011 - Certificate of Merit from St Luke’s Regional Medical Center
2006 - American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) Foundation Advocate of the Year
2005 - ARMY Achievement Medal