Merri Beth Callender, CRNA

	Joined May, 1999 Department: Anesthesiology [Map] Title: Certified Nurse Anesthetist Degree: CRNA Interests: Some of my hobbies are gardening, cooking, reading, golfing and homemaking. I love art, music and Farmers' Markets. Practitioner Homepage
Bio I have lived and worked in Sonoma Valley for many years. After working for Kaiser Walnut Creek for a time, my husband Skip and I have returned to make our home in this community. I think my work is important because people have fears and anxiety about surgery and I can help them through this scary situation. The safety and comfort of my patients is my responsibility. It has been my experience that expressing one's fears, is a good way to reduce the power of that fear. I am also in the Army Nurse Corps and a member of the California Army National Guard. American soldiers are the best! I have been caring for them and training others to care for them for 16 years now. It has been an experience I would not change for anything. I have been blessed and enriched by associating with our brave young people. I pray for them each night. Some of my hobbies are gardening, cooking, reading, golfing and homemaking. I love art, music and Farmers' Markets.
My Medical Specialty
More details about my specialty: I have a gift for putting people at ease. I know that it is scary coming to the operating room. Sometimes helping people express their particular fear helps to take away some of the intensity of that fear. Your safety and comfort are my first priority during surgery. For me, Anesthesia is the anti-pain. An interesting story from my training: Military experience is always interesting.	Photos from My Training Years or of Practicing Medicine in My Field: Fatigued in fatigues
Interests
I love my roses. When my husband planted roses for me for Valentine's Day, it was the best gift I can imagine. I keep reaping the blooms and I love it. Some people think roses are too much work but I find them so rewarding that I look forward to visiting them, trimming the spent flowers, checking for pests, smelling their various scents. On New Years Day I like to cut my roses back and start over. It is a ritual I learned from a very wise friend of mine who grows the nicest roses ever. My favorite thing to cook is soup, but everone in my family wants me to make pie. My pies are wonderfully good. I grow my own Rhubarb and I also love to make Gravenstien apple pie. That is part of the fun of living in Sonoma County. I play golf with my husband. I love the quiet and fresh air on the course. I love to hit the ball just right. My game has improved since starting the Natural Golf Method. I plan to be a better golfer (this is what all duffers say).
Family & Friends
People in my life: My husband is a great neighbor. He is the one to call if something has gone wrong in your house or you need help on a project. He is fearless when confronted with plumbing, electrical, lighting, automotive, gardening, roofing, structural or other problems. Actually he is very able and ready to help.	Photos of my Family & Friends: Skip and Merri Beth
My pets: We have rescued and adopted a German Wirehaired Pointer named Gunny who is doing very well. Actually the word THRIVE comes to mind when it comes to his progress and the kindness shown to him by the great people of Sonoma County and Dr. Cindy Hiler who brought us together.	Pet Photos: Gunny
Travel
An adventure I've had: I love going to Alaska on military humanitarian missions. I have gone to some very remote villages to make home visits and conduct health screenings. The native Alaskans are very gentle and generous and even though many have very little, they are happy to share with each other. One of my recent trips: I repelled down this cliff in Moro State Park. It was scary.	Travel Photos: Chignik Lake children Trip Photos: Look out below!!!