Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing has appointed Brian Torres, DNP, CRNA, as the new program director of its nationally ranked Nurse Anesthesia Program. Additionally, as part of his new role, Dr. Torres also assumes the role of director of CRNA Education in the Department of Anesthesiology at WashU Medicine. He officially began both positions on July 22.
The appointment comes as Goldfarb’s Nurse Anesthesia Program continues to be recognized among the best in the nation, currently tied for 11th place in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent ranking of Best Anesthesia Schools.
“Brian brings exceptional clinical, academic, and leadership experience to this role,” says Bernadette Henrichs, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, professor and dean at Goldfarb. “He is deeply committed to academic excellence and student success, and we’re confident that under his leadership, the program will continue to thrive.”
Dr. Torres, a proud alumnus of Goldfarb’s CRNA program, earned his master’s degree from the college in 2012. He also holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Missouri–Columbia. Since 2014, he has served as assistant program director and associate professor, helping guide the program’s growth and reputation for clinical excellence.
His interest in nursing was sparked early by his love of science and shaped by his mother’s career as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. “Her work showed me that nursing is not only about patient care but also about leadership, policy development, and advancing health care systems,” Torres says.
In his new role, Dr. Torres plans to prioritize faculty development and mentorship. “My goal is to create an environment where faculty feel supported, valued, and equipped to deliver top-tier education,” he says. “Strong faculty development translates directly into better student outcomes.”
Dr. Torres will spend four days per week in his administrative and academic role and maintain one day of clinical practice as a CRNA in WashU Medicine’s Department of Anesthesiology. “Staying active in the operating room is critical,” he adds. “It helps me stay connected to current practices and reinforces the curriculum with real-world experience.”
Clinically, Dr. Torres specializes in cardiothoracic anesthesia and contributes to a variety of surgical procedures. He is an investigator in the large-scale THRIVE trial, which compares total intravenous versus inhaled anesthesia in over 13,000 patients. His research has been published in top journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). He also serves as a reviewer for the International Student Journal of Nurse Anesthesia and has contributed textbook content on critical care topics.
His work has earned numerous honors, including the St. Louis Magazine Excellence in Nursing Award, the BJH Caring Spirit Award, and the Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching.
When asked what he enjoys most about teaching, Dr. Torres doesn’t hesitate: “It’s that lightbulb moment—when a student suddenly gets it. That moment of clarity leads directly to better patient care. It’s incredibly rewarding to know I’m helping shape the future of our profession.”