BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Brian Gegel ‘94, a celebrated practitioner, professor and researcher of both civilian and military nursing, has been chosen to receive the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award for Excellence in Nursing.
"Dr. Gegel's contributions to our profession—as a nurse anesthetist, nursing educator and military servicemember—are truly distinguished,” said Director of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences Amber Kujath '97. “His dedication, hard work and bravery set him apart as an alumnus we are proud to celebrate."
Gegel began his military training the fall after graduating from IWU, traveling to San Antonio, Texas, for the Army Medical Department Officer Basic Course. He deployed to serve in the Iraq War and on humanitarian missions assisting with reconstructive surgery. He now lives in San Antonio where he is the founder of Gegel Anesthesia Services.
As a doctorally prepared Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Gegel has served as an adjunct and assistant professor at institutions like the Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio and the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing. He has been published in journals such as the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) Journal, the Journal of Surgical Research and Military Medicine. He has advised doctoral projects on opioid-free anesthesia and contributed to topics such as hemorrhage control, hypothermia prevention and pharmacology. He has received multiple awards for his research and teaching.
Gegel has also authored and delivered dozens of peer-reviewed presentations throughout the country for organizations including the AANA, Sigma Theta Tau and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. He is a trusted and respected expert on subjects such as trauma simulation and opioid-free protocols.
Gegel’s accomplishments and award will be honored with a ceremony held during IWU’s 2025 Homecoming and Family Weekend on Friday, Oct. 10, at 3:30 p.m. in the Joslin Atrium at the Memorial Center.