• Pharmaco-Who? Pharmacogenomics in Anesthesia Care & Preoperative risk stratification: What do we need to know now? with Dru Riddle, Texas Christian University, Associate Professor of Professional Practice, School of Nurse Anesthesia. North Star Anesthesia.  Region Director, AANA PhD, DNP, CRNA, FAAN 
• Anesthesia Reimbursement and Compliance & Cost Effective Analysis - Best Practices with Dr. Juan Quintana, COO, Sleepy Anesthesia Associates, LLC, Past President AANA, DNP, MHS, CRNA
• NYSANA Update to the Membership with Yana Krmic, President, NYSANA, CRNA, MSN
• Effective Member Advocacy to Drive Change with Ralph Kohl, Senior Director, Federal Government Affairs, AANA 
• AANA Update to Membership & Caring for the Parturient with Co-Morbidities with Dina Velocci, President, AANA , DNP, CRNA
• Sleeping with Mary Jane: Cannabis Considerations for the CRNA with Daniel D. King, DNP, CRNA, CPPS

Learn more about the Fall Meeting speakers here!

Advocates say that every day a piece of legislation awaits Governor Cuomo signature, lives could be at risk. Legislation that would allow medical helicopters to carry blood and perform transfusions passed the Senate and Assembly last month but needs Cuomo’s approval to become law. The story of Binghamton resident Travis Flanagan inspired many lawmakers who worked on the bill. Flanagan was in a horrific farming accident in March that lead to both of his legs being amputated. Flanagan, who works as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, believes the blood Guthrie Air had on board saved his life. Flanagan has enlisted the assistance of his colleagues in the New York State Association of Nurse Anesthetists in raising awareness of the issue and lobbying the Governor to sign the legislation.

Meanwhile, Flanagan has been fitted for prosthetic legs with a goal of being able to stand for the birth of his third child who is due on July 15th.

Watch the Interview Here

We are pleased to announce the slate of candidates for the 2021/2022 board! The following candidates were announced at the NYSANA Business Meeting on May 15, 2021. Learn more about each candidate here. 

Electronic voting will open on Tuesday, July 6 at 9:00 AM and conclude on Tuesday, July 20.

NYSANA continues to fight for our CRNA’s to get both a license and autonomy in our work. At the height of the pandemic, Governor Cuomo allowed CRNA’s to practice without being supervised by a physician as we performed countless intubations in life and death situations for Covid-19 patients. Now, we want that executive order to be made permanent.  New York State is the only state in the nation that does not recognize the certified registered nurse anesthetist in this way. Check out President, Yana Krmic on CBS6 fighting for our CRNAs https://bit.ly/3iFH0qz

NYSANA President, Yana Krmic was featured on Spectrum News’ Capital Tonight, calling on lawmakers to make permanent the provision approved by Gov. Andrew Cuomo during the pandemic that allowed nurse anesthetists to administer anesthesia without the supervision of a physician or a surgeon. Removing the supervision requirement would have a huge impact on patient care and access and ease budgetary pressure for health care workers. Check it out: https://bit.ly/2TVpioR

A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) works as an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) who administers anesthesia to patients, typically during surgical, diagnostic, obstetric or other medical procedures. CRNAs complete advanced nursing degrees either at the master’s or doctoral levels. In addition to their advanced nursing degrees, CRNA candidates must obtain national certification in their field. Here’s a look at the extensive education CRNAs receive.

NYSANA Members:

On the heels of the 2021 National Nurses Week celebration, we again want to say THANK YOU for all that you do.

Please click on the video here that showcases some of our NYSANA member CRNAs in action.

Nurses Week provides the opportunity to recognize our nurse anesthetists for all your hard work and efforts. You have dedicated your lives to the medical field and helping others. Over the past year, nurse anesthetists have selflessly entered unknown territory and risked their lives for our health and the greater good. We are extremely grateful to you for making that choice and we can't thank you enough.

NYSANA sees you and the hard work and passion you continue to pour into your work each and every day. This past year we stood united and proved that together we are resilient and stronger. Thank you for the way you've selflessly stepped up to the frontlines and performed essential roles throughout your communities and across the state. We're in this together. We are stronger together. 

Thank you!

Yana Krmic,
President, NYSANA

Being a CRNA is extremely rewarding, but can also be incredibly stressful and even traumatic at times. This past year was especially trying. Now more than ever it is time to check your mental health or reach out to a colleague who may be showing signs that they are struggling. Psychologist Dr. Drew Anderson points out things to look for in someone who may be in crisis or on the verge and how you can help.

Watch the Video Here

We cannot be complacent and watch from the sidelines. If we want to make a difference, if we wish to move this association forward, than we have to advocate and let our voices be heard. “Our future as a CRNA depends on you.” That is the message from NYSANA President, Yana Krmic. 

Watch the Video Here

Welcome Molly Metzger, NYSANA’s new executive director. Molly’s objective is to alleviate any operational and administrative duties so that you, the NYSANA member and leaders, can continue to move the association forward. 

Watch the Video Here

NYSANA Lobbyist Amy Kellogg encourages members to contact your local lawmakers and educate them on our important legislative priorities because no one can tell our story better than we can.

Watch the Video Here

Watch NYSANA President Yana Krmic on News12 Westchester's Power & Politics with Scott McGee. Yana explains how CRNA's stepped up to meet the challenges of the pandemic by practicing independently and to the full extent of their education, as authorized by Governor Andrew Cuomo’sexecutive order. The value of CRNAs at this critical time cannot be underestimated. NYSANA is continuing to advocate for legislation in New York state to make these emergency changes permanent.

https://westchester.news12.com/power-and-politics-full-show-for-may-9-2021

Governor Cuomo has extended his Executive Order through April 20, 2021, allowing CRNAs to practice independently under the current State of Emergency as it relates to COVID-19.

View the Tweet

NYSANA Members:

Whether you are new to NYSANA and just starting your career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist or have been a member of our association for many years, it is important to stay involved in all NYSANA-led advocacy efforts. Your voice is important in advancing our profession.

That’s why next month we invite you to join a Zoom with our lobbyist, Amy Kellogg to learn more about the importance of advocacy. On April 8 at 7:00 p.m. Amy will present a training session on how to advocate for our profession and get the attention of our public officials. Instructions will be provided during the call. Please try to attend!

Join the Zoom Meeting here:
https://hselaw.zoom.us/j/5215873870?pwd=SFFOUjJTcFp4WU55eloyMEhjamxxdz09
Meeting ID: 521 587 3870 Passcode: 072677

Mid-Year Meeting
The AANA Mid-Year Assembly will be held virtually this year on April 23 - 25, 2021. The educational content will begin April 24. You will build advocacy skills while simultaneously earning 9.5 Class A CE credits and get advice from respected political power players. I encourage you all to register and learn about the latest healthcare policies that are impacting our profession.

Board Appointments
Lastly, I urge you to join me in serving NYSANA at the leadership level. Build your professional circle and network by becoming a NYSANA board member. We will have two director spots, treasurer and vice president positions open for the 2021 - 2022 term. Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested.

Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to our profession.

Sincerely,

Yana Krmic
President, NYSANA

NYSANA Members:

I have an important legislative update to share as it relates to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order 202.91, which temporarily waives supervision requirements for CRNAs. The current order is now extended through February 22, 2021. We thank Governor Cuomo again for recognizing CRNAs and the significant contributions we are making on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, we are hard at work on a new bill to bring before our legislators this year that looks to redefine the role of CRNAs as APRNs. We will keep you informed on its status.

What wonderful news to receive during CRNA Week! I thank you for your ongoing advocacy and participation in our legislative efforts. Together, we can advance our profession in New York state.

Sincerely,

Yana Krmic
President, NYSANA

Fellow NYSANA Members:

Happy New Year! I am excited for what’s in store for our association in 2021. We have exciting updates to share as we kick off the year.

Legislative Update
The New York State Legislature began a new legislative session on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 when they convened virtually to elect their leadership. The legislative session is scheduled to run through mid-June, and we anticipate that this session will likely be done fully remotely. We are also anticipating that the focus for now will be on the budget and figuring out how to balance a $15 billion deficit. As this is the start of a new legislative session, all bills must be reintroduced. We are in the process of working on getting our scope of practice legislation introduced in both houses. As soon as we have the new bill numbers, we will pass that information along.

We are also pleased to report that the executive order issued by Governor Andrew Cuomo in March, which suspended the health code to remove the supervision requirements for advanced practice registered nurses with a doctorate or master’s degree specializing in the administration of anesthesia, has once again been extended. Executive Order 202.87 extended this suspension until January 29, 2021. We anticipate that this order will continue to be extended until the pandemic is more controlled and most New Yorkers have received the vaccine.

As a reminder, we encourage each of you to work closely with your facilities as it is a facility decision on how to interpret the Governor’s executive order. As the new legislative session begins, we are focused on our scope of practice legislation and will continue to talk with both houses and the Governor’s office about passing this legislation into law and finally recognizing the profession in New York and removing unnecessary practice restrictions. We will send more information on how you can get involved and help this effort once the bill has been introduced, and we have a better idea of whether we will be contemplating a lobby day in Albany or virtually.

CRNA Week
CRNA Week 2021 is right around the corner, and our leadership has been busy planning a fun-filled week to celebrate our profession. Please be sure to monitor social media for these announcements.

As part of our celebration of CRNA Week, we would like to highlight the many different faces of our association on social media. Please share an on-the-job photo with some information about why you became a CRNA and what you love about the profession. All submissions can be sent to [email protected].

As always, thank you for your commitment and dedication to our profession and our association. We look forward to what’s ahead in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Yana Krmic
President, NYSANA

 

Responses from a Member Survey Revealed the Countless Ways CRNAs Across New York Stepped Up During COVID-19 When Governor Cuomo Removed Unnecessary Practice Barriers

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The COVID-19 pandemic has made clear that government licensing of health professionals blocks access to care. Licensing gives state politicians the final word on allowable categories of clinicians, the education and training requirements for each category, and the range of services each category of clinician may perform. It reduces access to health services by increasing prices and reducing the supply of clinicians who can provide those services. It harms health professionals by preventing them from providing services they are competent to provide and by preventing capable individuals from entering or rising within health professions. By suspending such rules to improve access to care for COVID-19 patients, states have acknowledged that licensing prevents clinicians from providing services they are competent to provide.

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When Jeremy Carlisle, CRNA, from Springfield, Ore., to New York City, he was struck by how few people were on his flight. “Maybe there were 15 of us on a 200-seat airplane.” Carlisle, a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), was on his way to serve on the COVID-19 frontlines of care.

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