AANA and your Board of Directors are working hard to advance nurse anesthesiology on a wide range of fronts: advocacy, state and federal government affairs, and practice to name a few. We couldn’t accomplish this important work without the involvement of dedicated AANA members, particularly those who volunteer their time, effort, and expertise on AANA committees. The process for selecting committee members for the 2027 membership year opens next week. Read President-elect Tracy Young’s message below for details.
A message from President-elect Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA
As President-elect, I’m excited to invite you to consider serving AANA as a membership year (MY) 2027 committee member.
Committee service is one of the most meaningful ways to shape the direction of our association, build relationships with CRNAs from across the country, and play an active role in advancing our profession. Whether your passion is advocacy, education, practice, finance, or the future of our workforce, there is a place where your voice and experience can make a real difference.
MY2027 committee applications will be open from March 1, 2026, through April 30, 2026. I encourage you to take a few minutes to review the committee options and think about where your interests, skills, and perspective can have the greatest impact.
I also hope you’ll plan to join us at Annual Congress in Boston, MA. MY2027 committee members are encouraged to attend the MY27 Kickoff Networking & Orientation Luncheon on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, and each committee will hold its first meeting of the year during Congress. This is a great opportunity to connect, align on committee charges, and hit the ground running. If you’re unable to attend in person, a virtual option will be available so you can still participate.
The MY2027 term runs from Aug. 25, 2026, through Aug. 10, 2027. Whether you’re volunteering for the first time or returning in a leadership role, I hope you’ll consider stepping forward. Your involvement strengthens AANA and helps move our shared priorities forward.
We hope to see many of you at the AANA Mid-Year Assembly, April 24-26, in Washington, D.C. Anyone who has been part of this incredible advocacy gathering of CRNAs, Residents, and RNs can tell you it is an experience like no other. Together, we are a mighty force, so join us and make your voice heard in D.C. Early-bird registration ends tomorrow, Feb. 24.
As always, thank you for all you do to support and advance your profession.
Ask Congress and the Administration to Support CRNAs as Professionals
Members of Congress Speak on Nursing Loans at Hearing on College Costs
Are You Registered to Vote?
The 2026 Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Application Cycle Is Now Open
Mandamus Appeal Update
Review and Comment on the CRNA Code of Ethics
CRNA Legacy Builder Georgia Catchings Coleman Broke Barriers in Mississippi
AANA Member Brett Maxfield Joins QUAD A Board of Directors
Advocacy Updates
Ask Congress and the Administration to Support CRNAs as Professionals
The Department of Education’s (ED’s) proposed rule would classify future CRNAs as “graduate students,” limiting federal unsubsidized loans to $20,500 per year and $100,000 total. AANA is urging members and supporters to take action to ensure future CRNAs are reclassified as “professional students” in the final rule.
Two ways to help:
Submit a personalized comment to ED requesting that future CRNAs be reclassified as professional students. The comment period closes March 2.
Members of Congress Speak on Nursing Loans at Hearing on College Costs
At a congressional hearing on college costs, held by the Education & Workforce Committee, members of Congress spoke about the Department of Education’s recent proposed rule that would classify CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists and other APRNs as graduate degrees instead of professional degrees, reducing access to federal student loans. Reps. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., and Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., discussed the potentially devastating impact that these new loan limits could have on the nursing workforce, and on CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists in particular.
Speaking on the detrimental impact of the new loan limits, Rep. Courtney said, “particularly in the healthcare space where occupational therapists, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists were … removed as a professional occupation. Aside from the insult that I think many people in that area felt … it would have real-life consequences.”
The AANA submitted an official statement for the record from President Jeff Molter, MSN, MBA, CRNA, laying out the importance of classifying CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists as a professional degree. The AANA was the only nursing association to submit a statement for the record. Rep. Courtney spoke about the AANA submission during the hearing, saying, “I have a letter from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, which lays out the record of the fact that their members have almost a perfect record in terms of loan repayment. And again, the qualifications are highly stringent.”
The AANA is continuing to advocate for changes to the rule and is working with congressional champions on that effort. The association will also pursue a legislative solution if necessary.
Are You Registered to Vote?
Primary season is just around the corner, and the November mid-term election will be here before you know it. Now is the time to make sure you’re ready for your voice to be heard. You can register to vote, check your registration status, get your options for in person and absentee voting, and see who’s on your ballot in your state and district here.
The 2026 Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Application Cycle Is Now Open
Part of the Title VIII nursing workforce programs, the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program pays up to 85% of unpaid nursing education debt for RNs, APRNs, and Nurse Faculty, in exchange for working for at least two years in either an eligible critical shortage facility or at an eligible nursing school as nurse faculty. Apply by March 12, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
Mandamus Appeal Update
AANA filed a petition seeking a Writ of Mandamus to compel the government to enforce the provider non-discrimination provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The government moved to dismiss, challenging the AANA’s right to bring such an action on behalf of its members. The AANA has appealed to continue advocating for the enforcement of the ACA’s provider non-discrimination provision as a means of protecting CRNAs from discriminatory reimbursement practices. The federal government responded on Jan. 28, 2026, and AANA’s reply brief was due Feb. 18, 2026.
AANA remains committed to advocating for our members and will continue to provide updates.
Significant News
Review and Comment on the CRNA Code of Ethics: Deadline is Tomorrow, Feb. 24
The AANA Code of Ethics for CRNA/nurse anesthesiologists is open for member comment. This updated draft adds clarity for:
Responsibility to the patient
The use of AI
Doctoral scholarly projects
Business practices
CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist’s role in society
Member feedback is essential to ensure the Code of Ethics reflects current practice and continues to guide ethical decision-making across the profession. The open comment period closes on Feb. 24, 2026.
CRNA Legacy Builder Georgia Catchings Coleman Broke Barriers in Mississippi
Georgia Catchings Coleman, age 90, holds the distinction of being the first Black CRNA in the state of Mississippi. Her journey into nurse anesthesiology—while seemingly predestined—took her from Mississippi to New York and ultimately back home, where her legacy continues to shape the profession. Read more.
AANA Member Brett Maxfield Joins QUAD A Board of Directors
Brett Maxfield, MS, CRNA, has joined the board of directors of QUAD A, a nonprofit, physician-founded and -led global accreditation organization. He has worked with QUAD A as an international surveyor since 2021 and now serves as co-chair of the QUAD A standards committee.
Maxfield serves as chair of the AANA Practice Committee and is a member of the AANA Reimbursement Technical Advisory Panel. He is also president of the Idaho Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.
Maxfield is director of anesthesia and surgical services for Madison Avenue Surgery Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and president and CEO of Maxfield Healthcare Solutions, an international surgical consulting firm based in southeastern Idaho.
The following is an FEC required legal notification for CRNA-PAC. Gifts to political action committees are not tax deductible. Contributions to CRNA-PAC are for political purposes. All contributions to CRNA-PAC are voluntary. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. The guidelines are merely suggestions. You are free to contribute more or less than the guidelines suggest and the association will not favor or disadvantage you by reason of the amount contributed or the decision not to contribute. Federal law requires CRNA-PAC to use its best efforts to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and the name of the employer of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 in a calendar year. Each contributor must be a US Citizen.
American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology 10275 West Higgins Road, Suite 500 Rosemont, IL 60018
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