Debra Malina, CRNA, DNSc, MBA
Welcome to AANA 2011! This year marks our 78th Annual Meeting and the 80th anniversary of the AANA. As we get older and wiser, we continue to offer what members demand, and this year’s meeting is sure to offer exactly what you need for your professional development. Here are just a few highlights:
- John Nance, JD, decorated Air Force pilot and aviation safety expert, will be our keynote speaker, discussing “Why Hospitals Should Fly: The Ultimate Flight Plan to Patient Safety and Quality Care.”
- The members have asked for hands-on workshops, so we have planned Difficult Airway and Ultrasound Labs for Monday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., which are open to all registrants.
- We have lectures planned in pain management and the business of anesthesia, as well as a variety of other clinical issues.
- Our Wellness initiative kicks off with the Sixth Annual Wake-Up for Wellness Fun Walk/Run, Monday, Aug. 8, 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. This 5K loops through the Esplanade and along the scenic Charles River. We are also holding our first social responsibility project with a blood drive on Monday, Aug. 8, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Hynes Convention Center.
- The CRNA-PAC will host a fundraiser evening at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: Cocktails and Camelot — with proceeds benefitting the work of the CRNA-PAC in Washington, D.C.
My activities outside this year’s meeting will further enhance your experience as an AANA member. I look forward to enriching my presidency by attending several state-level CRNA meetings this fall. It will be a great opportunity to join nurse anesthetists on their home turf to discuss local and national issues.
In September, our Joint Committee Conference in Chicago will bring committees and the Board together to coordinate our agenda, align our strategies, and continue to break down the silos for the coming year. In November, our Fall Leadership Institute in Newport Beach, Calif., will focus on leadership and governance development of state leaders.
I am also excited to announce that in December the AANA’s new website will be in place. The website will boast an updated look, a robust new search engine, e-commerce capabilities, and improved navigation, with discussion board capabilities soon to follow.
Overall, I plan to spearhead more two-way communication with members to encourage their involvement in their state or national professional associations. More than 100 AANA staff members and 11 elected Board members are devoted to your needs, but they cannot do the job of promoting and protecting the profession alone. The dedication our members have to supporting our Association through their dues, volunteerism, and excellent clinical practices are the foundation of our past and future successes, and I am honored to serve as president.
Sincerely,
Debra Malina, CRNA, DNSc, MBA