December 22, 2025

Dear Colleagues, 

The end of one year and the beginning of another is a time of both reflection and hope. 

Looking back at 2025, we are inspired by our members and proud of what we have achieved together as a profession. Last month, AANA shared a member survey asking for your insights on a new strategic planning effort to guide our organization and the profession in the years ahead. Thank you to all who used your voice to help shape AANA’s future priorities and direction. 

We appreciate your feedback, which will guide our Board and executive leadership in better understanding your needs, local trends, and opportunities where we can serve you. 

Looking ahead to 2026, we are optimistic and excited about the opportunities the new year brings to advocate for our members, our patients and advance our profession. 

As this is our final Letter from the Board before the holidays, we wish all CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist, RRNA, and RN members a season filled with joy and peace. You’ve given us an extraordinary gift by choosing us to serve as your Board of Directors, and we’ve learned so much from you. See you next year! 

Sincerely, 

The AANA Board of Directors

AANA Offices Closed Dec. 24 - Jan. 2.  

The AANA offices will be closed on Wednesday, Dec. 24, through Friday, Jan. 2 for the holidays. Our offices will reopen Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at 8 a.m. (CT).  

Our Help Center has common member requests and answers.  

In This Issue

• Get Ready to Comment on Department of Education’s Proposed Rule on Student Loan Caps  
  
  

• Statement from AANA President Jeff Molter on Executive Order Reclassifying Marijuana

• Wisconsin Adds an APRN Position on the Board of Nursing 

• Deadline for the 2025 MIPS EUC Application is Approaching 

• AANA Attends Governors Meeting 

• AANA Renews Partnership with Parkdale Center for Professionals to Strengthen Substance Use Disorder Support for Nurse Anesthesiology  

• AANA Welcomes Dr. Hallie D. Evans as Senior Director of Education and Professional Development  

• Step Into Leadership: Nominate Yourself or Others for AANA Elected Office  

• Celebrate Your Profession: CRNA Week Merchandise Available Now   

• AANA Practice Committee Chair Shares Insights in Becker’s Healthcare Podcast  

• CRNA Brings Hope and Healing to Rural Patients Facing Chronic Pain  

• Nurse Anesthesiology Resident Turns Training Into Action 

Advocacy Updates 

Get Ready to Comment on Department of Education’s Proposed Rule on Student Loan Caps

As AANA Federal Government Affairs (FGA) continues advocacy with the Department of Education (ED) and Congress on including future CRNAs in the higher student loan cap passed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), we are also preparing for issuance of the ED’s proposed rule. ED could release their proposed rule on this issue at any time through early 2026.  

It is important to flood the ED with comments in support of future CRNAs. To start preparing, check out AANA’s fact sheet, advocacy timeline, and webinar. (Member login required for the webinar; scroll down to the section on Regulatory Priorities: The Department of Education’s proposed rule on student loan caps.) As soon as the proposed rule is released, all AANA members will receive a CRNAdvocacy Alert with instructions to submit a comment to ED. Please note that ED will not be counting identical comments, so personalizing the template comment is more important than ever. As always, all CRNAdvocacy Alerts are also posted on our action center.   

Statement from AANA President Jeff Molter on Executive Order Reclassifying Marijuana

On December 18, AANA issued the following statement from President Jeff Molter, MSN, MBA, CRNA.

“Today, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) attended the signing of Executive Order 14368 to reclassify marijuana to a Schedule III drug. This reclassification will expand opportunities for rigorous research into how cannabis and cannabinoids can provide pain relief, and how they interact with anesthesia and perioperative care, strengthening the science that underpins patient safety. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) have been leaders in this important research, and this will open the door to more opportunities. The AANA thanks the Trump administration for this important action which will prioritize patient safety and research, and we look forward to partnership with federal agencies and the clinical community to ensure implementation supports safe, high-quality anesthesia care.” 

Wisconsin Adds an APRN Position on the Board of Nursing 

Recently enacted into law, Wisconsin AB 294 adds one position to the state board of nursing that must be filled by an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN). The law does not specify an APRN role for the position. APRNs in Wisconsin include CRNAs, as well as certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.  

Deadline for the 2025 MIPS EUC Application is Approaching 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)  is accepting applications for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances exception (MUC) by 8 p.m. EST on Dec. 31, 2025. CRNAs participating in traditional MIPS, MIPS Value Pathways and APM Pathways (APPs) can apply through their Quality Payment Program accounts. Additional information and assistance is available in the 2025 MUC Exception Application Guide.  

AANA Attends Governors Meeting 

On December 5-6, AANA State Government Affairs staff attended the Democratic Governors Association’s annual meeting and holiday party in Phoenix, AZ. AANA connected with new governors from Virginia and New Jersey as well as candidates running in 2026. AANA also used the meeting to advance CRNA issues in the states with governors and their staff. 

Pictured on the right is Arizona Association of Nurse Anesthesiology President Kelly Larsen, DNAP, CRNA, with Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. 

Significant News

AANA Renews Partnership with Parkdale Center for Professionals to Strengthen Substance Use Disorder Support for Nurse Anesthesiology

The AANA has renewed its partnership with Parkdale Center for Professionals, continuing a strategic connection first launched in October 2018 to provide specialized addiction treatment and support for CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists and Registered Resident Nurse Anesthetists (RRNAs).  

Through the partnership, Parkdale helps provide a critical safety net for anesthesia professionals and those who care about them by facilitating the AANA Helpline (800-654-5167)—a 24-hour, confidential service answered by trained addiction professionals. Individuals may call for themselves, and callers may also be colleagues, supervisors, loved ones, or friends seeking support and resources related to alcohol or drugs.  

The collaboration also supports continuing education, resource development, and advocacy related to substance use disorder (SUD), with a focus on the unique considerations of anesthesia professionals. Read more. 

AANA Welcomes Dr. Hallie D. Evans as Senior Director of Education and Professional Development

The AANA is excited to announce the hiring of Hallie D. Evans, DNP, CRNA, APRN, CNE, CHSE, FAANA, as Senior Director of Education and Professional Development, effective December 2025. In this role, Dr. Evans will lead strategic initiatives to strengthen professional growth, lifelong learning, and academic innovation for nurse anesthesiology across the nation.   

Dr. Evans is a nationally recognized nurse anesthesia educator and innovator known for advancing transformative education, meaningful research, and collaborative learning environments. A thought leader in nurse anesthesiology education, program development, and faculty mentoring, her career has been shaped by a commitment to excellence, growth, and innovation. Read more.  

Step Into Leadership: Nominate Yourself or Others for AANA Elected Office

This is your opportunity to represent your peers, help shape the future of nurse anesthesiology, and make a national impact. Eligible members may nominate themselves or others through Jan. 15, 2026.  

Support the profession by helping elevate exceptional leaders to the national stage.  

Submit a leadership nomination  

Celebrate Your Profession: CRNA Week Merchandise

Available Now 

National CRNA Week, January 18-24, 2026, is a time to reflect on the essential role that CRNAs play in delivering high-quality anesthesia care to patients across the nation. Join us in celebrating the rich history and promising future of your profession.  

 
Our range of CRNA Week merchandise includes everything from T-shirts and jackets to mugs and hats, and pens—even baby onesies! These items are not just stylish but also a great way to celebrate and raise awareness about the important work CRNAs do every day. Order by Dec. 29 to receive items in time for National CRNA Week. Check out our store now.   

Member Highlights

AANA Practice Committee Chair Shares Insights in Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

In the Nov. 27 episode of the Becker’s Healthcare—Ambulatory Surgery Centers Podcast, AANA Practice Committee Chair Brett Maxfield, MS, CRNA, shares the top trends shaping ASCs today. Bringing his perspectives as President and CEO of Maxfield Healthcare Solutions, Maxfield discusses rising costs, shortages, technology adoption challenges, the growing impact of AI, evolving specialties, and what he’s watching for ASC growth in the year ahead.  Listen to the podcast.

CRNA Brings Hope and Healing to Rural Patients

Facing Chronic Pain 

When Ben Campbell, MS, CRNA, NSPM-C, Lt COL (Ret), USAR, FAANA, first stepped into an operating room as a college student, he thought he was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps as a surgeon. He was assisting his father during surgery, but he couldn’t help noticing the CRNAs at the head of the bed.   

“I thought, ‘Who are they and what are they doing?’” he said. “A lightbulb went off. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be a CRNA.”   

That day in his father’s OR set Campbell on a career path that would span decades of anesthesia practice, military service, and chronic pain management. Today, he’s helping patients in rural Arkansas—and from across the country—find opioid-free relief from chronic pain. Read more.  

Nurse Anesthesiology Resident Turns Training Into Action

James Breceda, BSN, RN, CCRN, PCCN, CMC, a third-year nurse anesthesiology resident at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), was months from graduation when a crisis in the cardiac catheterization lab tested his training.  

“I was the only anesthesia provider in the room,” Breceda said. “The first thing I did was call for help from the CRNA supervising me. Then my instincts kicked in, and I knew what I had to do to get the patient breathing again.” Read more. 

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