Cassie Langhals is an accomplished and dedicated professional serving as the Program Director for the Master of Science in Anesthesia program. With extensive experience in anesthesia practice and a strong commitment to individualized education, Cassie is deeply passionate about empowering students and advancing the field of anesthesia education.
With seven years of practice as a certified Anesthesiologist Assistant at the prestigious University of New Mexico Hospital, the only Level 1 Trauma Hospital in New Mexico, Cassie has gained invaluable expertise in delivering anesthesia care in a high-pressure medical setting. This experience has provided her with a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges of ensuring patient safety and optimal outcomes.
During her four-year tenure as the Student Clinical Coordinator, Cassie spearheaded an innovative approach to clinical rotations. Recognizing the diverse needs of students, she individualized the rotations to provide tailored learning experiences that fostered growth and mastery of anesthesia. Her dedication to personalized education has had a significant impact on students, enabling them to thrive and excel in their anesthesia practice.
Cassie received her Master’s of Medical Science in Anesthesia from South University. She holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of New Mexico. Currently, she is pursuing a doctoral degree in Health Science Education specialized in Teaching and Learning from the University of St. Augustine.
As an educator, Cassie has a special interest in the individualization of education to strengthen student learning. She believes in the power of goal setting and is dedicated to empowering students to reach their full potential. Furthermore, she recognizes the importance of continuous professional development for educators and actively explores the integration of technology in the classroom to enhance teaching methodologies. Cassie believes in students and colleagues connecting passion to their profession. She believes that aligning personal interests with a career in anesthesia fosters a sense of fulfillment and purpose, ultimately driving success and professional satisfaction.
As the Program Director, Cassie is dedicated to providing students with a transformative educational experience that equips them with the necessary skills and knowledge for successful anesthesia practice.
Dr. Sally Fortner is a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. She did her internship in pediatrics at the University of Missouri followed by residency in Anesthesiology at the University of Iowa. She completed a fellowship in Adult and Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesiology at Vanderbilt University then returned to join the faculty at UNM.
She is a Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) and a faculty member of the Academy of Communication in Healthcare (ACH). She was awarded the Educator of the Year award by the Academy in 2023. In addition she is the Director of Maintenance of Certification Anesthesiology (MOCA) Simulation at the University.
She has hundreds of hours of experience as a communication coach and is a certified professional development coach with the Physician Coaching Institute (PCI). She currently serves as the Director of Professional Development for the School of Medicine and the Assistant Director of the Combined BAMD Program.