INF 40 Under 40 Awardee: Christopher Bourget

Chris Bourget’s path to becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) began with a single, transformative experience during high school. As a junior, he had the opportunity to shadow a CRNA during an open-heart surgery. Watching the anesthetist safeguard a patient’s life keeping them safe, stable, and cared for during one of their most vulnerable moments sparked a purpose that would define Chris’s career. “That day, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to ensuring patients feel protected and cared for, even when they can’t speak for themselves,” Chris recalls.

Building a Foundation in Critical Care

Chris pursued nursing at Saint Louis University and launched his career in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he cared for patients recovering from transplants, trauma, and complex cardiac procedures. The high stakes environment deepened his understanding of patient advocacy and built the clinical foundation that would guide his anesthesia career. He later attended Westminster University for anesthesia training, where his clinical rotations took him across rural communities in the western United States. It was there he first witnessed the stark disparities in healthcare access communities that depended almost entirely on CRNAs for anesthesia services.

Serving Rural Communities and Advancing Access

After relocating to Southern Illinois, Chris joined a group dedicated to providing anesthesia services to community hospitals and rural surgery centers, often as the sole anesthesia provider. This work has reinforced his commitment to ensuring patients in underserved areas don’t need to travel hundreds of miles for safe, high-quality care. Beyond his clinical work, Chris has played a significant role in professional advocacy. As President of the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, he champions access to safe anesthesia care through legislative advocacy, grassroots efforts, and public education.

A Mission of Access and Advocacy

Chris believes every patient regardless of where they live deserves compassionate, high-quality anesthesia care. This belief fuels his work in the operating room, his outreach in rural communities, and his leadership on a state and national level. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made to expand access to care,” Chris shares. “But there’s still work to do, and I remain committed to ensuring every community, no matter how remote, has access to safe anesthesia services.”

The Illinois Nurses Foundation proudly recognizes Chris Bourget as a 2025 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader for his dedication to patient advocacy, rural healthcare access, and advancing the CRNA profession.

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