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  • Writer: Angelarosa G. DiDonato, DNP, CRNA
    Angelarosa G. DiDonato, DNP, CRNA
  • Jan 22, 2024

🔹🔹🔹On behalf of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists, I want to wish everyone a happy National CRNA Week in Pa.! The annual celebration this year runs Jan. 21-27.


With more than 3,700 certified registered nurse anesthetists and student anesthetists across the state, PANA has emerged as a recognized a leader in helping the state address rising health-care costs, protect patient health, and ensure access to quality care.


While CRNA Week is just a snapshot in time, the critical role we play is year-round. More and more people are starting to understand our importance and appreciate the value CRNAs bring to the health-care arena.


Here are a few facts that might be of interest:


  • CRNAs were the first professional group to provide anesthesia in the United States, first providing anesthesia to wounded soldiers during the Civil War.

  • Today, there are more than 61,000 practicing CRNAs in the United States.

  • Pennsylvania ranks among the top nationally for CRNA students, with 14 highly rated nurse anesthetist programs spread out across our commonwealth.

  • The average nurse anesthetist completes an average of 9,369 clinical hours of training prior to becoming a CRNA.

  • CRNAs have been the main providers of anesthesia care to U.S. military personnel on the front lines since World War I and remain the primary anesthesia providers in austere combat theaters.

  • CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America and underserved communities.


These are just a few of the facts we will share publicly over the next few days.


Visit our CRNA Week website at https://www.panaforqualitycare.com/2024-crna-week to learn more. To stay up to date with everything that’s happening, join our new TikTok account, follow us on Facebook, talk to us on Twitter, and see us on Instagram.


This is the second time I have served as PANA president. I could not be prouder to be a CRNA, and I could not be more honored to partner with such an outstanding group of professionals who will do anything to keep their patients healthy and safe.


I know the time you have invested to be the best you can be, and I know the care and commitment you have devoted to the science and art of anesthesia. Thank you for all you do, and …


Happy National CRNA Week in Pa.! 

 

by Angelarosa DiDonato, DNP, CRNA 

President, Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists 


#CRNAWeek PRO TIPS:

💙 Don't just like and share our posts - make sure you're a page follower, too!

#️⃣ Include hashtags #CRNAinPA and #CRNAWeek in your posts and stories!

 



CRNA Students Marie Richardson, Nina Marino and Mamawa Hollendyke, MSN, RN received a visit from Pa. State Senator Phillips- Hill. The students discussed York College of Pa.'s Nurse Anesthesia program, sharing their nursing backgrounds and why they were particularly interested in York's program. Program director Dr. Jason Lowe also joined them in the simulation lab.


After discussing the CRNA profession and touring the simulation lab, Sen. Phillips-Hill and staff received a demonstration on spinal and intubation procedures, and moved along to the EP Lab to witness some afib ablations.



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The AANA Mid-Year Assembly is nurse anesthetists’ largest advocacy event of the year, and this year the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA) sent a small army to the nation’s capital to inform federal lawmakers and advocate for our shared profession.

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📝PANA had 76 registrants for the annual event in Washington, D.C. Over the course of the assembly, which ran April 29 to May 3, Pennsylvania-based certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and students (SRNAs), advocating in groups, convened 19 in-person meetings with lawmakers or their key staff members.

🏛️Where we couldn’t meet with lawmakers or staff, our team dropped off packets of information and promised to follow up to secure in-district meetings, something any of us can do whenever our schedules allow. Advocacy is key to promoting our issues and strengthening our profession.

The Mid-Year Assembly happened a bit later than usual this year, bumping up against PANA’s own Spring Symposium in Hershey, so the time crunch was a real challenge for many of our CRNAs and SRNAs, but the number of attendees proves our devotion to the cause.

PANA Members Pack the Halls of Capitol in D.C.
PANA Members Pack the Halls of Capitol in D.C.

What’s more, for some of our SRNAs, the Mid-Year Assembly came during finals week, too. In fact, a few students from the University of Scranton School of Nurse Anesthesia went above and beyond --- not only in their advocacy but in their assigned schoolwork. They took finals remotely, either in the middle of the day or at the start of a long day running between office buildings to attend meetings. That commitment is impressive.

The Mid-Year Assembly offers five days of educational sessions, live speakers, legislative lobbying, and networking, all of which is important for attendees to gain the knowledge and tools to drive change in our profession, enhance their careers, and promote CRNAs at both the national and state levels.

🩺Thank you to everyone who participated. As tiring as Mid-Year Assembly can be, it is equally impressive, and the talent we see among our CRNAs and SRNAs gives us confidence in the good work we are doing to affect change that enhances our profession, improves health-care delivery models and ensures patients have affordable access to the highest level of care.

PANA Advocates with Senator Bob Casey
PANA Advocates with Senator Bob Casey




But wait...there's more 📷!

THANK YOU, CRNAs AND SRNAs FOR ATTENDING THE 2023 AANA MYA !!!



 

Copyright © 2025 Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists

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