The February Newsletter covers the following topics:
The January newsletter covers the following topics:
CRNA Week events schedule
Start New Habits — PLUS, Win a Spafinder Gift Card!
Call for Abstracts for CRNAs
2024 Fall Meeting in Saratoga Springs, NY
Legislative Update
2024 PAC Challenge
Legal Counsel Update
Letter to the editor of the Times Union regarding Officials say updates N.Y. Health infrastructure in Danger, Dec 5, 2023
Mark Blazey, Rochester
TESTIMONY OF MARK BLAZEY, PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS (NYSANA) BEFORE THE ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEES ON HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, HIGHER EDUCATION AND LABOR ON EXAMINING THE STATUS OF THE HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE IN NEW YORK STATE December 19, 2023
Assembly Health Committee Chair Paulin, Assembly Mental Health Chair Gunther, Assembly Committee on People with Disabilities Chair Seawright, Assembly Higher Education Committee Chair Fahy, Assembly Labor Committee Chair Joyner and members of the respective committees, I thank you for this opportunity to submit written testimony for your consideration as you look at the status of the health care workforce in New York State.
My name is Mark Blazey, and I am the President of the New York State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (NYSANA). NYSANA is the statewide professional association representing New York’s nearly 2,200 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Resident Registered Nurse Anesthetists (RRNAs). NYSANA has been advocating for state recognition for CRNAs as advanced practitioners commensurate with their national certification, advanced education, clinical training, and experience for over 30 years. One of the most important ways to address the health care workforce issues in New York is....(read on)
The November newsletter covers the following topics:
The October newsletter covers the following topics:
Dear Colleagues,
The Pace University College of Health Professions is hosting a Nursing Advocacy Day on Saturday, November 4th at One Pace Plaza Manhattan.
President Mark Blazey will be speaking about NYSANA’s advocacy efforts and lessons learned. Legislators will attend the 1:00PM - 3:00PM. All NYSANA members are encouraged to attend to brief New York lawmakers on the issues important to NYSANA.
The event is free and includes breakfast and lunch. Please register with the organizers and email Mark Blazey to let him know you will be there.
SCHEDULE
7:45am - 8:15am Registration and Breakfast
8:15am - 12:45pm Advocacy Education
1:00pm - 3:00pm Legislator Reception
See you there-
Sean McGarry,
NYSANA Immediate Past President and GRC chair
Dear Members,
▶ NEW BYLAWS AMENDMENTS
NYSANA held its annual meeting on September 30, 2023. 48 voting members attended and approved ten bylaws amendments. Members can review these updates here. The current bylaws can be found on the NYSANA website.
▶ BOARD APPOINTMENTS & CHANGES
The newly-elected board was installed at the end of the Annual Meeting. Due to the resignation of President-elect Kara Hedman, our newly-elected Vice President Mark Blazey moved directly into the President's role.
The new board voted to appoint Michael Cogan as interim Vice President to replace the position now vacated by Mark. David Monahan, NYSANA’s outgoing Secretary, was appointed to fill Michael Cogan's role as NYSANA Treasurer for the remainder of the term, which will expire in Fall 2024.
As an appointed officer, Michael Cogan will not move directly into the presidency role in fall 2024. Rather, the members will vote for the Vice President in the next election cycle. Similarly, David Monahan will serve as interim Treasurer for one year. When the ballot opens for 2024-2025, the members will then also vote for a Treasurer in the next election cycle. Mark Blazey will remain as President for 2 years.
The Board of Directors would like to thank Mark Blazey for transitioning into the role of NYSANA President so quickly. Mark will be supported by Past Presidents Sean McGarry and Giovanna Mahar, as well as the entire Board of Directors. We wish Kara Hedman well and welcome her to run again and serve the state in the future. She will be missed!
A list of board members can be found on the NYSANA website. Please reach out to any board member with questions.
The September newsletter covers the following topics:
The August newsletter covers the following topics:
June's newsletter covers the following topics:
Spectrum News featured Sean McGarry and Jeremy Lombardoni in a 3-minute long story which aired Saturday June 3. The story underscores the meaning and importance of title recognition to our profession and healthcare in New York state.
Sean highlights our essential role in providing access to critical anesthesia services in rural and underserved areas. He explains how the passing of legislation would recognize CRNAs formally in state education law to increase both the quality and access to the anesthesia and surgical services across the state.
Jeremy's and Dr. Peter Dowling's story highlights the CRNA's role in addressing the opioid epidemic through opioid-free anesthesia. Jeremy also had a chance to explain the true meaning of physician supervision in anesthesia.
We are grateful to all who contributed to this story.
In this month's newsletter, NYSANA President, Sean McGarry recaps the recent Advocacy Day.
Thank you to Elyse Gallo, CRNA, Michael Thamsen, CRNA and Sean McGarry, CRNA, for submitting this opinion piece to the New York Daily News, discussing CRNAs practicing at the top of their license as a viable solution to New York's rural healthcare crisis. See Page 6.
Read President Sean McGarry's op-ed in the Buffalo News.
"Removing unnecessary supervision requirements increases access to care for all New Yorkers. This must be the priority. Right now, New York is the only state in the country that has not formally recognized the title and scope of practice of a CRNA. No more waiting! New York needs to come through for its CRNAs."
In this month's newsletter, NYSANA President, Sean McGarry celebrates the profession of CRNAs.
In this month's newsletter, NYSANA President, Sean McGarry celebrates the profession of CRNAs.