Awards honoring outstanding contributors to the nurse anesthesia profession were presented to recipients at the 78th Annual AANA Meeting Opening Ceremonies on Sunday. The following awardees were recognized for their exemplary and significant impact on nurse anesthesia.
Program Director of the Year
Established in 1991, the Program Director of the Year Award honors a CRNA who has made a significant contribution as a program director to the educational process of student nurse anesthetists.
Denise Martin-Sheridan, CRNA, PhD, was recognized for her commitment to the profession of nurse anesthesia and to the advancement of educational standards that further the art and science of anesthesia and result in high-quality patient care. Martin-Sheridan is a professor and center director for the Center for Nurse Anesthesiology at Albany Medical College in Albany, N.Y. She has advanced the profession as a leader, mentor, advocate, and innovator, and was the first nurse anesthetist to be appointed professor of anesthesiology at Albany Medical College.
Didactic Instructor of the Year
The Didactic Instructor of the Year Award was established in 1991 to honor an individual who has made a significant contribution to the education of student nurse anesthetists in the classroom.
This year, the AANA presented the award to Albert Swafford, Jr., PhD, Director of Research and Assistant Professor in the Department of Physician Associate Studies at Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge, La. Swafford teaches all of the pathophysiology courses in the nurse anesthesia program and was instrumental in modifying the pharmacology and physiology classes so that organ systems are covered simultaneously, allowing students to more easily absorb the information.
Clinical Instructor of the Year
Brian Radesic, CRNA, MSN, received the 2011 Clinical Instructor of the Year Award. The award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the teaching of nurse anesthesia students in the clinical area.
Radesic is associate director of the graduate nursing anesthesia program at the University of Akron College of Nursing in Akron, Ohio. His students often note his outstanding teaching skills as well as his efforts to maintain updated evidence based practice knowledge. Radesic was honored for the dedication and enthusiasm he shows his students each day.
John F. Garde Researcher of the Year
Established in 1999 by the AANA Foundation, the Researcher of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has made significant contribution to the practice of nurse anesthesia through clinical research.
This year, the AANA Foundation posthumously honored Maureen Reilly, CRNA, MSN, PhD. Her husband SFC Dennis Reilly, U.S.A. (Ret.) accepted the award in her honor. Dr. Reilly was a stellar researcher, natural and remarkable mentor, accomplished author, impressive clinician, engaging instructor, and sought-after speaker and friend to many. Her work culminated in over 14 funded projects since 2004 and an impressive record of more than 34 publications. She was a dedicated leader who consistently promoted the advancement of nurse anesthesia.
Rita L. LeBlanc Philanthropist of the Year
Each yeah, the AANA Foundation presents the Philanthropist of the Year Award to an individual who has gone beyond the call of duty as a supporter of the Foundation by donating time, talent, and direct financial support.
The Foundation honored Alverna Skoog, CRNA, BS, a past AANA treasurer and Region 1 director for demonstrating strong philanthropic spirit and actions that motivate others to give of themselves. Skoog has given her time, energy, and very generous funding to the AANA and the AANA Foundation for decades. In addition to being an active member of the Anesthesia Pioneers group, serving as AANA Treasurer, and serving as President of the New York Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Skoog is a member of the Gertrude Fife Society and has financially supported the AANA Foundation at the highest levels of giving for many years. At 90 years old, she continues to humbly and quietly support the nurse anesthetist community. Although Skoog was unable to travel to be with us today, Joyce Kelly,CRNA, EdD, accepted this award on her behalf.
30th Anniversary Special Recognition Award
In honor of the AANA Foundation’s 30th anniversary, the Foundation presented a Special Recognition Award to Lorraine Jordan, CRNA, PhD. Jordan, AANA foundation Executive Director and AANA Senior Director of Research, was recognized for her commitment, passion, and excellence in promoting the mission of the Foundation and the nurse anesthesia community.
Jordan has led the Foundation for more than 23 years and is devoted to advancing the science of anesthesia through education and research. To support future research initiatives, the Foundation has also created a Special Recognition Research Fund to continue advancing the science of nurse anesthesia.
AANA Foundation Advocate of the Year
The 2011 Advocate of the Year Award was presented to AANA Foundation State Advocate David Schwytzer, CRNA, BS, ARNP, of Prospect, Ky. Schwytzer is a AANA Foundation donor, a Friend for Life, and an energetic and committed leader who has served as a state advocate since the inception of the state advocate program. He is passionate in supporting causes he believes are important such as practice standards, on-going competency and new research and is enthusiastic about asking others to join in contributing to the Foundation.
The AANA Foundation Board of Trustees selected Schwytzer for his outstanding commitment to the nurse anesthesia profession through individually supporting the AANA Foundation and encouraging others to do the same.
Public Relations Recognition Awards
Public Relations Committee Chair Ron Seligman, CRNA, MS, presented three Public Relations Recognition Awards at the Opening Ceremonies Now in its 31st year, the AANA Public Relations Recognition Award was established to recognize outstanding public relations efforts. Entries were judged by members of the AANA Public Relations Committee on the basis of their objectives, execution, and results. 2011 Winners:
Best Overall Public Relations Effort for the Past Year
- Oregon Association of Nurse Anesthetists. See their award-winning video on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/user/OregonCRNA?blend=5&ob=5
Best public relations effort by an individual, small group, organization, or company not affiliated with a state association
- Chester-Crozer Medical Center
Best Promotional Effort for National Nurse Anesthetists Week
- Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
Exhibitor Longevity Awards
At the Opening Ceremonies, President Santoro recognized the AANA’s corporate partners for “their enthusiasm, their commitment, and their collaborative efforts toward the furthering of patient care.” He added: “We would also like to thank those exhibitors who have had a continuous presence and have played a crucial part in our independent annual meetings for the past 30 years. We sincerely appreciate their generous sponsorship of educational sessions and social programs through the years.” Recipients of the 2011 AANA Longevity Awards are:
10 Years
- AANA Public Relations
- Sheridan Healthcare
- Staff Care.
15 Years
- National Anesthesia Services
20 Years
- Salter Labs
25 Years
- AANA Journal
- Kaiser Permanente