During the day, Eli Brand, a first-year student in the Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - Nurse Anesthesia program at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University, works in the operating room. There Eli is focused and steady as part of a team that helps patients through some of their most vulnerable times. At night, he is studying and reviewing the detailed whiteboard notes that have become a staple among his classmates. But, later on, he steps into a completely different role and begins filming his audition tapes.
Eli is not a typical Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) student. His journey has always been unique.
In class, he stands out as one of the hardest-working students and is known for his strong discipline. But Eli’s influence goes beyond academics. He brought his peers together by starting a study group to foster a collaborative and supportive environment. “We really support one another,” he said. “We celebrate our wins and losses together.”
Long before he stepped into a clinical setting, Eli found his voice on the stage. He grew up in a small town where his father ran the fine arts division at a local college. He started acting at age 3, but his passion for theater really grew in high school. Theater became the place where he felt seen.
Those early years also brought challenges. In middle school, Eli faced bullying because of his theater performances, which prompted him to seek new activities that could help him connect with his peers. He joined the powerlifting team and, with support from his coach, he learned to balance his love for sports and the arts.
Then came a series of life-altering moments.
Over three years, Eli lost three people who were close to him. One of them was a family friend he saw as a grandfather, and this loss had a big impact on his future. When the man had a sudden heart attack in his office, Eli was there. He tried to find an automated external defibrillator (AED) nearby, but couldn’t get one in time.
Just two weeks later, Eli found himself in another life-threatening situation. While driving with his then 3-year-old brother, their car was hit by another vehicle going almost 70 miles per hour. The crash sent them spinning several times before their car landed upside down on a nearby porch. His brother’s car seat was ejected from the car and landed dozens of yards away.
In the chaos, Eli acted on instinct and carried his brother to safety. They both survived miraculously unharmed.
Motivated by these experiences, Eli chose to pursue nursing. He was drawn to a field where he could make a real difference in moments like the ones that shaped his life.
CRNA training is demanding. The first year includes challenging classes and simulation labs. After that, students continue with academic work and start intensive clinical rotations. This schedule requires focus and exceptional time management skills.
Despite these challenges, Eli still pursues his passion for the arts. He has acted in Hallmark Channel movies, off-Broadway shows and is now focusing on film, voiceover projects with the Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthesiology screenwriting. And, he manages to do it all, never missing an exam or neglecting his clinical duties.
For Eli, these two worlds are more connected than people might think.
“The film set is much like the operating room,” he explained. “We’re all working toward a common goal, whether that’s saving a patient or creating something meaningful.”
This outlook influences how he approaches both his art and his work as a nurse.
“There’s an art to science, and a science to art,” he said. “There’s a method to learning lines, just like there’s a method to learning medications.”
Adrienne Hartgerink, D.N.P., CRNA, director of the nurse anesthesia program at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Ellmer School of Nursing at Old Dominion University, calls him a “yes person,” someone who always shows up, helps out and supports others.
“He has taken on leadership roles beyond the classroom, from mentoring fellow students to representing his profession through statewide and national initiatives,” Dr. Hartgerink said.
Eli’s mindset comes from all he has experienced and continues to guide him through tough days. When things get overwhelming, he reminds himself of his reason for doing this.
“Don’t focus on the outcome,” he said. “Focus on the process. That’s where the growth happens.”
Looking to the future, Eli doesn’t plan to choose between his passions. He sees himself working as a CRNA, while also acting and writing. At the heart of his vision is a personal goal: helping his younger brother follow his own dream of becoming a musician.
For Eli, success means honoring every part of who he is and using his talents to make a difference.