Heidi Ritz Burton earned her Master of Anesthesiology Education from Gonzaga University, and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Colorado, graduating Cum Laude. She has been nationally certified as a CRNA since 1995.

Her career spans more than two decades of anesthesia practice in diverse clinical settings. She has served as a solo CRNA at hospitals in Texas and the Marshall Islands, and as staff CRNA at leading institutions including UT Southwestern Medical Center, San Gabriel Ambulatory Surgery Center, and Beverly Hills Physicians. Throughout her career, she has revitalized anesthesia departments, enhanced teamwork, and improved patient, staff, and administrative satisfaction with anesthesia care.

A dedicated educator, Heidi has served as a didactic and clinical instructor for the Gonzaga University/Sacred Heart Medical Center School of Anesthesia and has precepted students and residents at multiple hospitals. She has delivered extensive lectures and training programs on topics such as malignant hyperthermia, emergency preparedness, neuroanesthesia, and perioperative critical care.

Beyond clinical practice, she is deeply committed to professional service and community advocacy. She has been an active member of state and national nurse anesthesia associations for nearly three decades and was honored with the Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Award in 2014 for more than 4,000 hours of community service. She is also the founder of Send Anonymous Smiles, a nonprofit dedicated to combating loneliness among senior citizens, and a strong advocate for animal welfare through her work with the Beagle Freedom Project.

Now serving at GRMC, Heidi brings her wealth of experience, leadership, and compassion to the island community, continuing her lifelong mission of excellence in patient care, teamwork, and education.

Outside of her professional commitments, Heidi enjoys gardening, cooking, baking, and traveling. She takes pride in growing her own food and finds joy in cultivating a sustainable lifestyle. Passionate about giving back, she has been actively involved in senior citizen advocacy and animal welfare. A lover of the ocean, she hopes to pursue scuba certification in the near future. At home, she enjoys reading with her one-eyed cat, Theo, snuggled comfortably on her lap.

• Master of Anesthesiology
   January 1993 – May 1995
   Gonzaga University
   Spokane, WA
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
   August 1983 – June 1987
   University of Colorado
   Boulder, CO

• Solo CRNA, Ward Memorial Hospital
• Solo CRNA, Kwajalein Army Hospital
• Staff CRNA, UT Southwestern Medical Center
• Solo CRNA, Eastland Memorial Hospital
• Staff CRNA, San Gabriel Ambulatory Surgery Center
• Staff CRNA, Southern CA Gastroenterology
• Staff CRNA, Beverly Hills Physicians
• Independent CRNA, Local Anesthesia Inc
• Staff CRNA, Beverly Hills Surgical Institute
• Staff Hospital. Shriner’s Hospital
• PT CRNA, Spokane Eye Surgery Center
• Staff CRNA, Physicians Anesthesia Group
• SRNA, Sacred Heart Medical Center
• Flight RN, Heartflite Air Ambulance
• Trauma RN, Parkland Memorial Hospital
• Clinical and Didactic Instructor, Gonzaga University and Sacred Heart Medical Center School of Anesthesia
• Clinical Preceptor, UT Southwestern Medical Center

• American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
• Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists
• California Association of Nurse Anesthetist
• Washington Association of Nurse Anesthetists