Dainel King, DNP, CRNA, CPPS, CNE, FNAP
For Daniel King, nursing began long before he ever stepped into a classroom, it began from the perspective of a patient. As a child hospitalized with complex medical needs, he experienced firsthand the difference compassionate nurses can make during life’s most uncertain moments. Those experiences, coupled with the example set by his mother, inspired a lifelong commitment to advancing patient care through clinical excellence, education, and research. Today, as a 2026 Illinois Nurses Foundation 40 Under 40 Awardee, Daniel is helping shape the future of nurse anesthesia while never losing sight of the humanity that first inspired his career.
From Patient to Provider
Daniel’s journey into nursing was shaped by the nurses who cared for him during childhood. While medical technology monitored his condition and tracked his progress, it was the compassion and presence of nurses that made him feel seen as a person rather than simply a patient. Watching his mother serve others with quiet confidence further strengthened his desire to pursue a career dedicated to caring for others.
That calling led him to earn his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Southern Indiana before completing nurse anesthesiology training at Mayo Clinic. He later earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice from The University of Alabama and is currently pursuing a PhD at Barry University. Today, Daniel serves as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and Associate Professor in the Nurse Anesthesia Program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, where he combines clinical practice with educating the next generation of nurse anesthetists.
Advancing Safer Care Through Research
Daniel is passionate about identifying overlooked challenges that impact patient safety and transforming them into opportunities for better care. His research focuses on cannabis use in the perioperative setting and the stigma that often prevents patients from discussing it openly with healthcare providers. Through this work, he has helped develop the Consensus-Validated Cannabis Use Before Anesthesia Test (CUBAT), contributing practical tools that support safer, more informed clinical decision-making.
His dedication to advancing evidence-based practice extends beyond research. Daniel has mentored dozens of doctoral students and serves in leadership roles with the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), helping shape national practice standards and strengthen the future of the profession.
Shaping the Future, Grounded in Humanity
Daniel’s work has taken him around the world, presenting research throughout Asia and Europe, including the World Congress of Anesthesiologists in Singapore before thousands of clinicians representing more than 140 countries. Yet despite these remarkable achievements, some of his most meaningful moments have been the ones that brought him back to where his journey began.
Returning to the University of Southern Indiana to deliver the commencement address to graduating nurses was one of those defining moments. It gave him the opportunity to encourage future nurses to embrace innovation while remembering that technology can never replace compassion. His message is simple but powerful: while healthcare will continue to evolve, it is the humanity nurses bring to every patient interaction that will always define exceptional care.
The Illinois Nurses Foundation proudly recognizes Daniel King as a 2026 40 Under 40 Awardee for his contributions to nurse anesthesia, patient safety, research, education, and leadership. Through his commitment to innovation and compassionate care, he continues to advance the nursing profession while inspiring the next generation of nurse leaders.
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