Bridging Tradition and Care: A Muscogee Creek CRNA’s Journey to Transform Tribal Health

Being an Indigenous provider means honoring my Muscogee Creek heritage and serving my community through healthcare. Though I wasn’t raised on the reservation, my grandmother and great aunt nurtured my connection to our traditions and identity. Their love laid the foundation I carry with me today. 

My tribe’s values—fortitude, service, and community—have guided me through my education and career. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation has shown incredible resilience, including building its own health system, but health disparities persist. Native people face lower life expectancy, higher chronic disease rates, and limited access to care. 

With less than 1% of healthcare providers identifying as Native, representation matters. I strive to build trust, treat the whole person, and show the next generation they belong in these spaces too. 

I’m proud to be part of a growing movement to strengthen tribal health and to honor my family and community through this work. 

Brittany Harris, CNP, CRNA, a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing's DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program. Brittany continues serving patients in Philadelphia as a Temple Fox Chase Cancer Center CRNA.

---

Super Bowl rematch – PANA style!

Congratulations to Mark J. Haffey, MSN, CRNA, APRN, FAANA.

Mark was the highest bidder in the PANA PAC auction, which included two tickets to the Super Bowl LIX rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles at the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Sept. 14 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

Mark and his son, Brett, had a great time at the game – despite the score. (Check out some of the photos and just guess which team they were cheering for!)

The Eagles won, 20-17, running their record to 2-0 on the year. The Chiefs fell to 0-2. It was the first time the two teams played since Philadelphia beat Kansas City in the last Super Bowl, 40-22.

But for CRNAs like Mark, it was about more than just the game.

The PANA PAC – funded entirely by contributions, not member dues – helps the association support advocacy efforts in Harrisburg and our work on policies and issues that advance our profession.

You can make a PANA PAC donation HERE.

The tickets were donated for auction by Stanton Barrett, a stuntman, race car driver, director, and winery proprietor. A big thanks to Stanton, who is married to Sadie Cooke, one of the student representatives on the PANA Board of Trustees.

Thanks to everyone involved for making our PANA PAC stronger – and for helping Mark and his some make some great memories along the way!

State Board of Nursing Regulation #16A-5145: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and Fees

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing recently published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin its proposed rulemaking to recognize and license “certified registered nurse anesthetists” as intended under Act 60 of 2021. It’s an exciting moment – the culmination of years of hard work by so many!

The rulemaking solidifies the scope of practice for these highly trained, advanced professionals to administer anesthesia in cooperation with and under the overall direction of licensed physicians, podiatrists, and dentists, while setting licensing fees and certification standards. It also updates provisions relating to licensure by endorsement and mandatory child abuse education and training, and updates reactivation fees provisions for clinical nurse specialists.

The rulemaking includes a public comment period that runs through July 28, 2025.

CLICK HERE to read the entire proposed rulemaking, and PANA will continue to share updates with members.