The Doctors of Lighthouse Anesthesia

Our Doctors

As more procedures are being performed in the outpatient setting, anesthesia care has become more specialized. New advances and techniques are tailored to patients enabling them to recover from their procedure in their own home. Lighthouse Anesthesia’s team is committed and dedicated to providing safe, state of the art, high quality anesthesia care to our patients. Our providers are Board Certified as well as ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) & PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) Certified.

Dr. Rick Hartwig
Rick Hartwig, MD

Dr. Hartwig brings over 36 years of experience to Lighthouse Anesthesia. Previously the founder of Star Anesthesia, PC, Dr. Hartwig has been practicing anesthesia at Nebraska Surgery Center since 2004. He has a broad base of experience in both the inpatient and outpatient setting caring for patients of all ages.

Dr. Hartwig grew up in the small town of Cortland, NE. He attended the University of Nebraska- Lincoln and pursued his medical education at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University. Prior to joining Nebraska Surgery Center, Dr. Hartwig practiced at Saint Elizabeth’s Regional Medical Center, BryanLGH East and West Medical Centers and other outpatient facilities in the community. In his spare time Dr Hartwig enjoys playing golf and cooking. If he is not on the course, he and his wife can be found traveling to their grandchildren’s many activities.

Matthew Behrens, MD

Dr. Behrens has been practicing at Nebraska Surgery Center since 2009, returning to the town where he was born and raised. He received a degree in biochemistry from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He attended the University of Nebraska Medical Center and received his medical degree. He continued at UNMC to specialize in Anesthesiology. Dr. Behrens served as the chief resident of the Department of Anesthesiology at UNMC in 2008 and 2009. Dr. Behrens received additional specialized training in regional anesthesia (pain blocks) with ultrasonic guidance.

Dr. Behrens resides in Lincoln with his wife and two children. He enjoys sports, exercise, landscaping, and being involved with his busy children’s schedules.

Dr. Matt Behrens
Dr. Dana Lockee
Dana Lockee, MD

Dr. Lockee began her practice in Lincoln in 2012. She is proud to claim Lincoln as her hometown. She received a degree in biological science from University of Nebraska-Lincoln and received her medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. After a one-year internship in Family Medicine at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, IA, she completed training in anesthesiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the fall of 2011.

Dr. Lockee resides in Lincoln with her husband and three sons. Dr. Lockee stays active with creative, exciting outdoor adventures with her young family. She is an avid supporter of Nebraska Sports as well.

Jeffery VanEvery, CRNA

Prior to joining Lighthouse Anesthesia, Jeff has provided care in Lincoln since 2005, and as a CRNA since 2015. Jeffrey started his Nursing degree at BryanLGH College of Health Sciences, then advanced his degree at Nebraska Wesleyan before returning to get his Masters at BryanLGH.

Jeffrey is a proud Nebraskan, who grew up in O’Neill, Nebraska, and resides outside of Lincoln with his wife and four children. In his free time, he enjoys the outdoors and keeps busy cheering on his children in their activities.

Jeffery VanEvery
Kerman Nickel
Kerman Nickel, CRNA

Prior to joining Lighthouse Anesthesia, Kerman provided care in Grand Island and Lincoln since 2005, and as a CRNA since 2015. Kerman earned his Nursing degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center before returning to get his Masters from the Bryan Health Colleges School of Anesthesia.

Kerman is a proud Nebraskan, who grew up in Culbertson, Nebraska, and resides in Lincoln with his wife and four children. In his free time, he enjoys golfing and keeps busy cheering on his children in their activities.

Brittney Schmit, CRNA

Brittney L. Schmit is a native of Roseville, California and moved to Kearney, Nebraska in 2010. There she received her nursing license in 2016 and worked in the ICU before relocating to Lincoln, Nebraska to return to school in 2018. Brittney received her Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia Practice in 2021 from Bryan College of Health Sciences. She joined Lighthouse Anesthesia as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in July of 2021. Brittney is married and has two daughters and one son. She enjoys cooking, playing video games, traveling, and relaxing with family.

Brittney Schmit
Sarah Christ

 

Sarah Christ, CRNA

Sarah Christ is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for Lighthouse Anesthesia. She is a native of Lincoln, Nebraska. Sarah received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Bryan College of Health Sciences in 2013. She worked as a Critical Care RN at Bryan Health from 2013 to 2016. Sarah received her Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice from Bryan College of Health Sciences School of Nurse Anesthesia in May 2019 and became board certified in June 2019 by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. Sarah practiced anesthesia at a local hospital for two years before joining Lighthouse Anesthesia in September 2021.Sarah is married with one son. Her personal hobbies include reading, crafting, cheering her son on at his sporting events, and spending time with her family.