About Us | City Of Lakes Anesth

Our Story

After years of caring for patients in high acuity hospital settings, we realized how many patients needed anesthesia for procedures, but didn't require a hospital setting to safely have their procedure completed. In today's world of skyrocketing healthcare costs, receiving care by your regular provider in their office-setting is more timely, more cost effective, and can be just as safe.

City of Lakes Anesthesia was started by two certified registered nurse anesthetists who realized our years of experience with complex patients could bring the safety of a major medical operating room to the office setting. We value and appreciate the trust our patients place in us and we ensure we are up to date and able to give top level care following all current recommendations.

We wanted a simple business model: provide excellent anesthesia care in the office setting by working with clinicians and patients to improve their healthcare experience. We look forward to the opportunity to work with your team and patients!

Meet the Team

Our Team

Our team is made up of CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) with years of high acuity hospital care experience prior to our clinic-based anesthesia experience. We believe this allows our CRNAs to be better prepared to handle any issues that may arise and be more confident and competent preventing anesthetic complications. We have personally selected the CRNAs we work with for their advanced clinical knowledge and skills, critical thinking skills, and excellent bedside manner. Our CRNAs are ready to help your clinic offer safe, smooth anesthesia services!

Co-Founder

Heather Layton, MS, CRNA

Heather completed her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Virginia in 2003 and worked as an intensive care RN for five years before returning to school for her Masters in Nurse Anesthesiology from Minneapolis School of Anesthesia in 2010. Since then Heather spent over fifteen years at the University of Minnesota Medical Center and Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Heather brings an additional ten years of experience providing office-based anesthesia.

At home, Heather loves getting out into the great outdoors with her husband and spending time with their three adult children: two twin sons and a daughter. Additionally, Heather and her family have fostered over 50 puppies and kittens in the last 9 years!

Co-Founder

Danica Elvester, DNP, CRNA

Danica graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a BS in Biochemistry before pursing a Master of Nursing degree at the University of Minnesota in 2011. After five years of intensive care nursing, Danica completed her Doctorate of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia at the University of Minnesota in 2019. Danica's clinical anesthesia experience spans six years at MHealth Fairview Masonic Children's hospital and most recently at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Danica loves unwinding with hot yoga or getting outside with her family. Danica and her husband love taking their two young daughters on hiking adventures and cross country skiing. They also recently started raising urban backyard chickens!

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What is a CRNA?

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is a highly trained advanced practice nurse who specializes in the administration of anesthesia to patients undergoing surgeries, medical procedures, and pain management treatments. In most medical settings, CRNAs are the ones providing hands on anesthesia care to patients. CRNAs are experts in the science and practice of anesthesia care, ensuring patient safety and comfort during procedures that require anesthesia.

Key Responsibilities:

Administering Anesthesia: CRNAs are responsible for assessing patients before surgery, developing an anesthesia plan tailored to the individual's needs, and safely administering the anesthesia.
Monitoring and Adjusting Anesthesia: They continuously monitor the patient's vital signs during the procedure, adjusting anesthesia levels as needed to ensure patient safety.
Patient Assessment and Consultation: Prior to procedures, CRNAs conduct thorough assessments, review medical histories, and discuss anesthesia options with patients to ensure optimal care.
Post-Procedure Care: After a procedure, CRNAs monitor the patient's recovery from anesthesia and provide appropriate pain management.

Education and Certification:

To become a CRNA, a nurse must first earn a Master's or Doctoral degree in Nurse Anesthesia from an accredited program. They must also hold a registered nurse (RN) license, have extensive clinical experience (typically 1–2 years in an ICU or critical care setting), and pass the national certification exam to achieve CRNA status. CRNAs are required to maintain certification through ongoing continuing education and clinical practice.

Role in Healthcare:

CRNAs play a critical role in ensuring that anesthesia is administered safely and effectively, particularly in settings such as hospitals, surgical centers, and pain management clinics. In most settings where anesthesia is used, CRNAs are the ones providing the hands on care and monitoring to ensure patients are safe and asleep during their procedures. In higher levels of care centers, CRNAs may work as part of a healthcare team, collaborating with anesthesiologists, surgeons, and other medical providers.

Why Choose a CRNA?

Expertise and Experience: CRNAs are the ones in the operating room actually providing anesthesia. Our CRNAs advanced clinical experience on top of our clinical training means the care provided is safe, effective, and evidence-based.
Comprehensive Care: CRNAs provide continuous care throughout the surgical or medical procedure, monitoring the patient’s status to ensure the best outcomes.
Patient-Focused Approach: With a deep understanding of patient safety and comfort, CRNAs are dedicated to providing a positive, individualized experience for each patient.

CRNAs are an integral part of the healthcare team, ensuring that anesthesia care is not only effective but also safe, reducing risks and contributing to smoother, more successful procedures.

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