Nursing Trailblazer Installed as New Dean at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing

A trailblazer in nursing and anesthesiology is now the Jack Taylor Dean and Professor at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing.

On March 6, 2026, The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the College installed Bernadette Henrichs, PhD, CRNA, CCRN, CHSE, FAANA, in this chair position to lead all academic programs and educational policy at Goldfarb as dean. She has been serving in the role since June 2025.

Dr. Henrichs has dedicated her career to nursing education, research, and anesthesiology. Previously, she was professor and director of the College’s nationally ranked nurse anesthesia program, which she started in 2004. The program is only the second in the U.S. to be accredited by the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists.

Dr. Henrichs simultaneously served as director of education and research at WashU Medicine Department of Anesthesiology. In 2022, she made history as the first certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) to be promoted to faculty and full professor at the university.

“Dr. Henrichs has been a trailblazer in the anesthesiology world,” says Angela Clark, PhD, RN, MSN, CNE, FAAN, president of Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. “Now we’re thrilled that Dr. Henrichs can further expand her vision and talents in her role as chief academic officer to impact all of our programs at the College. She is a transformational leader and brings vision, stability, and a deep knowledge of Goldfarb, BJC, and WashU’s values and history. Her ability to build rigorous programming, inspire students, and support faculty will advance our mission and dramatically elevate nursing education.”

Building on a Distinguished Career

Dr. Henrichs has received numerous awards and honors throughout her career, including the elite designation as a fellow of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) recognizing her exceptional level of expertise, service and commitment to transforming the nurse anesthesia profession.

She was also honored with the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator of the Year Award, and the Program Director of the Year. In addition, she was inducted into both the American Academy of Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology as a Fellow. 

As an author of several articles and book chapters on anesthesia-related topics, Dr. Henrichs also co-authored a book that is the only one on the market written for nurse anesthesia educators. That book is now in its second edition.

Dr. Henrichs holds a PhD and MSN from Saint Louis University and completed her nurse anesthesia training through WashU Medicine.

“Dr. Henrichs is a visionary leader standing on the foundation of remarkable accomplishments,” says Michael Avidan, MBBCH, head of the Department of Anesthesiology at WashU Medicine. “Over the decades, she has held clinical, research, and educational leadership roles, and has made substantial contributions to the collaborative culture between anesthesiologists and CRNAs, to educational excellence, and to scholarships. We are fortunate to have a leader of Dr. Henrichs’ caliber serving as dean at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing.”

Mary Jo Gorman, board chair at the College, agrees. She is energized by the expertise and passion Dr. Henrichs brings to her new leadership role. “We look forward to the many positive influences Dr. Henrichs will have on preparing the next generation of exceptional nurses and nurse leaders as dean.”

In her role, Dr. Henrichs says her top priorities include connecting more deeply with faculty and staff, understanding their needs, and collaborating on a shared vision for the future. “I believe in elevating others,” she says. “Sometimes all a person needs is for someone to believe in them—and I’ve made it my mission to be that person.”

Leading With Compassion

While her expertise is widely recognized, her compassion and generosity are equally worthy of the spotlight, says John P. Lynch, MD, president of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and group president of BJC Health, East Region. “In addition to being intelligent, visionary, and driven as evidenced by her many academic and career achievements, Dr. Henrichs is a generous and kind person who leads with compassion.”

At the installation ceremony, Dr. Lynch recognized the Watanabe-Henrichs SRNA Endowed Scholarship Fund that Dr. Henrichs established at The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital to ease the burden on senior-level students in the nurse anesthesiology program.

“This just shows who Dr. Henrichs is,” Dr. Lynch says. “She is making a difference for nurses on every level. Her legacy at Goldfarb is already profound, and with this new chapter as Dean, her full impact is only just beginning.”

Driving Educational and Leadership Excellence Through Philanthropy

Philanthropy plays a significant role in nursing education at Goldfarb. In addition to scholarships, philanthropy is at the heart of Dr. Henrichs’ position as dean.

“This is all possible because of the generosity of the Taylor Family Foundation, which had the extraordinary vision to create the Jack Taylor Dean and Professor position at the College,” Dr. Clark says. We’re grateful for this investment at Goldfarb that provides the essential funding to help us retain such talented people as Dr. Henrichs.”

The Taylor family was recognized for their generosity at Dr. Henrichs’ chair installation as the Jack Taylor Dean and Professor at Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing Goldfarb School of Nursing.

A philanthropist, visionary, and astute businessman, the late Jack Taylor and his family have transformed countless organizations and institutions through their leadership and generosity.

Throughout the years, the Jack Taylor Dean and Professor funding has supported initiatives to accelerate faculty development, expand research, and further the work and leadership at the College.