Second Degree Graduate Becomes CRNA and Joins Operation Walk

Francis Feld (BSN ’93), DNP, LAT, NRP, CRNA graduated from Duquesne University School of Nursing’s Second Degree Program. Feld chose Duquesne’s Second Degree program because it fit well into his schedule, fast-tracked him on the road to becoming a nurse and allowed him to enter the health care field prepared and ready to get to work. After Feld graduated, he went on to become a CRNA, a career that he found challenging and constantly changing. Currently, he works at UPMC Passavant, which led him to a service partnership with Operation Walk.

Operation Walk Pittsburgh, started in 2009, is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing the gift of mobility to patients in need in developing countries. Each mission trip involves a team of surgeons, nurses and other personnel who provide joint replacements as well as arthritis and joint health education completely free of cost. The organization works side-by-side with local surgeons, nurses and therapists to share knowledge, expertise and encourage a true cultural and medical exchange.

Feld became a volunteer for the organization when two colleagues from Passavant, an orthopedic surgeon and anesthesiologist, asked him to fill in for a CRNA who had to withdraw from an upcoming mission trip due to a schedule conflict. After initially becoming involved by chance, Feld was hooked. “The smiles on the faces of the patients that are undergoing rehab after surgery is incredible. They are in less pain while walking.” Many of the patients Feld sees would have to live with the conditions they are suffering from due to lack of health care. He points out, “This type of surgery is not available in many developing countries. Without Operation Walk, these patients would have to live with mobility pain.”

Feld joined Operation Walk as a volunteer on their mission trips in 2018, 2019 and 2023, taking him to Antigua, Guatemala to provide health care to the underserved local communities there. On his most recent trip, the surgical team performed an astounding 20 hip and 53 knee replacement procedures on 52 patients in four days at Hospital Obras Sociales del Herman Pedro. The team provided patients with the gift of ambulating without pain. For Feld, who has extensive experience providing health care in austere environments such as hurricane, flood and earthquake disaster zones in the U.S. and other developing countries, it was just another rewarding day on the job. He explains, “We managed the patient needs by running 5 operating rooms and taking on about 3-4 cases per day.”

Initially, Feld felt called to care for these vulnerable groups thanks to his time at Duquesne. He wasn’t afraid to take on the challenge and knew how important it was to give back. “When I started at Duquesne, I was looking for a challenging experience. I was already a paramedic and had worked as an athletic trainer for 15 years. My clinical instructors went out of their way to provide me with that challenging clinical experience I was looking for at the time. Duquesne teaches students to be the best they can be but to always give back.”

Feld has certainly taken this mission to heart by joining Operation Walk. He plans to continue to provide his service to the organization and encourages others to support their mission as well. “Visit the Operation Walk website to learn about their upcoming missions. They solicit for volunteers at the beginning of every year. There are positions available for nurses, physical therapists, physician assistants, surgical techs and even logistics. Everybody pitches in and works towards a common goal.”

Feld has fully embraced the School of Nursing’s mission to provide care to the underserved. We are inspired and proud of our alumni who give so much back to the community and to vulnerable populations. Congratulations to Francis and the best of luck and well wishes to him on his upcoming ventures!