Faculty & Staff
Dr. Megan Kakela, DNP, CRNA, APRN
She/Her/Hers
Dr. Megan Kakela, DNP, CRNA, APRN joined MSA as faculty in December of 2024. She obtained her BAN degree from The College of St. Scholastica in 2007, and her DNP degree in nurse anesthesia from The University of Iowa in 2013. Megan previously served as Adjunct Clinical Faculty at the University of MN in the nurse anesthesia program. She maintains a current clinical practice at M Health Fairview University Campus (East Bank) and Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater.
Dr. Travis Laffoon, DNP, CRNA, APRN
He/Him/His
Dr. Travis Laffoon, DNP, CRNA, APRN was appointed Director on October 3, 2023 after previously serving as Associate Director since 2020. Dr. Laffoon graduated from the Baptist Health/Murray State University Program of Anesthesia with his Masters of Science in Nursing in 2015. He completed a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from Murray State University in 2018. Dr. Laffoon previously worked as a CRNA in Madisonville, KY, where he also served as a clinical instructor. He also served as the Associate Director of the Baptist Health/Murray State University Program of Anesthesia for three years prior to relocating to Minneapolis, MN. In addition to his current role at MSA, he also works as community faculty at our education partner, Metro State University and maintains current clinical practice at several facilities in Minnesota.
Dr. Jordan Popp, DNP, CRNA, APRN
He/Him/His
Jordan Popp, DNP, CRNA, APRN joined Minneapolis School of Anesthesia as faculty in May of 2023 and as Associate Clinical Director in 2024. Jordan graduated from the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia in 2020 with his Masters of Science in Nursing. He completed his Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Capella University in 2024. Jordan also works as community faculty at Metro State University while maintaining current clinical practice at University of Minnesota MASONIC Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Beth Quaas, DNP, CRNA, APRN
She/Her/Hers
Dr. Beth Quaas, DNP, CRNA, APRN joined MSA as faculty in August of 2020 and as Associate Didactic Director in January of 2021. She obtained her BSN degree from Bemidji State University and her Master’s degree in nurse anesthesia in 1999 at MSA. Most of her career as a CRNA was at Essentia Health in Duluth, where she also served as CRNA Director. Beth earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree in 2010 at St. Scholastica, in Duluth, MN so she could give back to her profession by educating the next generation of nurse anesthetists. Beth is currently Associate Director and faculty at the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia/Metro State University and continues her clinical practice in the OR. She also serves on the Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists Board as a Director.
She/Her/Hers
Dr. Megan Kakela, DNP, CRNA, APRN joined MSA as faculty in December of 2024. She obtained her BAN degree from The College of St. Scholastica in 2007, and her DNP degree in nurse anesthesia from The University of Iowa in 2013. Megan previously served as Adjunct Clinical Faculty at the University of MN in the nurse anesthesia program. She maintains a current clinical practice at M Health Fairview University Campus (East Bank) and Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater.
Dr. Megan Kakela, DNP, CRNA, APRN
Minneapolis School of Anesthesia
700 East 7th Street
St. Paul, MN 55106
651-793-1684
© 2023 Minneapolis School of Anesthesia
Amanda Connolly, PACE
She/Her/Hers
Amanda Connolly joined Minneapolis School of Anesthesia as the Administrative Assistant in August 2024. With over 20 years of experience in administrative roles, she comes highly skilled and dedicated to enhancing organizational efficiency. Amanda completed her PACE certification in 2022 from the American Society of Administrative Professionals.
