May Legislative Update
Category: President's Updates
May
30
Happy PRIDE month from NYSANA DEI Committee! Through the month of June, we are engaging in important conversations about the healthcare our CRNAs provide to our LGBTQ+ community!
We are kicking it off with one of our very own, Jake Forrester, MS, CRNA - Chair of the Liberty District which includes the areas of Bronx, Kings, NYC, Queens, and Richmond!
Please reach out to the DEI committee with ideas for other CRNA spotlights.
Interview with for Jake Forrester, CRNA
Why did you decide to become a CRNA?
- In undergrad, I was taking the elevator during clinicals and a CRNA jumped in the same elevator. She asked me what my plans were for after school and immediately followed by telling me about her profession as a nurse anesthetist.
- Since that encounter, every CRNA I met said they loved their job and wouldn’t want to do anything else.
- I worked 2.5 years in the ICU before starting CRNA school. I didn’t have any mentors, so I used online outlets such as nurse and CRNA blogs.
- Imposter syndrome was very real and I truly wasn't sure if I was able to do it. But, someone once told me: “nothing good comes easy. And the road to become a CRNA is no different” - this really kept me going and pushing myself towards my goal
How has your experience and background helped you care for minority patients of the LGBTQ+ community?
- It is very important to understand the culture within this community. For example, knowing that transgender patients are the most marginalized patients in this community, or that care for the LGBTQ+ community is overall subpar.
- As an openly gay man myself, many of my patients feel more comfortable confiding and sharing personal information that is common in the LGBT community with someone who understands this lifestyle. This ultimately leads to safer anesthesia and better patient outcomes.
What do you think we can improve on as CRNAs who provide care for the LGBTQ+ patient population?
- Check your own biases and opinions before you even interact with patients, and be aware of your own limitations. Being open to learning from patients is crucial. In the end, regardless of our beliefs, we’re there to make sure our patients are safe and receive equal care. We can start by ensuring judgement free zones when we interview our patients in pre-op. Another great way to improve your knowledge is to team up with CRNAs that are part of the LGBTQ+ community. Be willing to ask questions and learn from them.
- There are many hospitals across the country that provide gender-affirming surgeries (GAS). When patients come in for GAS procedures, there is a “GAS team” that includes providers trained to care for these patients and able to prioritize their specific needs. Every hospital should have a team that is comfortable and dedicated to these patients.
- Something as little as a Pride pin on your badge can have a great impact. This allows patients to know that I am not there to judge them, from the moment I walk in the door. Patients are therefore more open to share information about their background and lifestyle behaviors.
- At my current hospital, there is a hospital liaison that represents and guides the patient through the medical process. The liaison is present in preop, PACU, and during the rest of admission. Their role is to support the patient during their hospitalization.
- What can we do to diversify our profession and support young residents who are part of this community?
- Ideally, any CRNA that is part of this community should be proud and willing to share their story. Becoming more visible in this aspect will encourage other nurses to join the profession because they see themselves represented.
- Another outlet could be by recruiting at nursing schools and other LGBTQ+ nursing associations to spread awareness about our profession.
- Sponsoring events is also a great way to get our face out there. NYSANA could help sponsor the Pride parade and have a float where the general public and healthcare professionals see our support. Maybe setting an STI testing at a bar while having a CRNA run it, could also show support to our patient population.
- And lastly, having a CRNA as part of the GAS team and becoming comfortable with providing care for these patients during their gender-affirming surgeries.
Are you working on any current projects that you would like to share with us?
- I’m attending the AANA’s annual Congress this summer in San Diego, and will be speaking on "Anesthesia considerations for patients on PrEP for HIV prevention".
- Numerous hospitals across the country are creating an anesthesia registry for transgender patients during gender affirming and non gender affirming surgeries. My Chief CRNA asked me if I was interested, so I am currently helping my hospital gather and organize this data.
April 2024 Newsletter
Category: Public Relations
Apr
29
IN THIS ISSUE
- Government Relations & Legislative Update
- FTC Ban on Non-Compete Agreements
- Virtual Research Symposium
- Upcoming District Events
- NYSANA Fall Meeting in Saratoga Springs
- National Nurses Week: Salute to Nurses
- AANA Ballot update
- Support the NYSANA PAC
- Upcoming Important Dates
March 2024 Newsletter
Category: Public Relations
Apr
15
IN THIS ISSUE
- Advocacy Day Registration
- ICYMI: Anesthesia in the News
- Joint Board & Committee Meeting
- Spring Symposium Update
- District Events Update
- Support the NYSANA PAC
- Board Nominations Open
- Goldie Brangman & Kathleen O'Donnell Awards
- Upcoming Important Dates
February Legislative Update
Category: Public Relations
February 2024 Newsletter
Category: Public Relations
Feb
12
The February Newsletter covers the following topics:
- NYSANA Update, Mark Blazey
- Support the NYSANA PAC
- Get Involved with NYSANA
- Upcoming District Events
- Last Call to Submit Your Abstract
- AANA Mid-Year Assembly
- Kathleen O'Donnell Excellence in Leadership Award
- Yankees Healthcare Appreciation Celebration
January 2024 Newsletter
Category: Public Relations
Jan
18
The January newsletter covers the following topics:
- NYSANA Update, Mark Blazey
-
CRNA Week events schedule
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Jan
12
Legislature could improve rural health care with nurse anesthetist bill
Letter to the editor of the Times Union regarding Officials say updates N.Y. Health infrastructure in Danger, Dec 5, 2023
Mark Blazey, Rochester
For healthcare to remain viable in rural New York, lawmakers must address outdated healthcare delivery models and Medicaid reimbursement in anesthesia.
The primary providers of anesthesia in rural hospitals are Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Though highly trained, advanced practice providers, we face unnecessary barriers to practice. A CRNA’s scope of practice is not formally written into New York State law. New York is the only state to not formally recognize CRNAs, leading to staffing and financial shortages. Nearly a third of CRNAs trained in New York between 2018 and 2023 have left to practice in other states.
Some1500 CRNAs provide essential care to rural Medicaid patients yet lack of recognition in state law. As a result, hospitals may not be reimbursed for services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries --ruinous for New York’s rural healthcare system.
Additional barriers to practice, such as physician supervision of CRNAs, comes with an unnecessarily high price tag for patients and medical facilities; study after study prove this redundancy does not increase patient safety or improve outcomes. CRNAs have the skills, the education and expertise to provide rural patients with anesthesia care and pain management services and ensure access to care for populations that would otherwise have to travel long distances from their homes for treatment.
The legislature must pass S769-A/A6958-A, which would move the state toward innovative, evidence-based health care, increasing access to care in rural New York.
The writer is the president of the New York State Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Published December 25, 2023
Mark Blazey's Testimony on the Healthcare Workforce Shortage
Category: Legislation/Practice Advocacy
Dec
19
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.
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November 2023 Newsletter
Category: Public Relations
Nov
16
The November newsletter covers the following topics:
- NYSANA Update, Mark Blazey
- CRNA Week planning & events, Rachel Dubay and Michael Thamsen
- Legislative Update, Sean McGarry
- Health & Wellness, Meta Manguilis
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Daniel Payne
- Social Media Round-up, Michael Thamsen
- Event Calendar
October 2023 Newsletter
Category: Public Relations
Oct
25
The October newsletter covers the following topics:
- From Mark Blazey: Goals for 2024
- Government Relations Committee/Legislative Update
- Awards Recipients
- DNP Research Surveys for CRNAs
- Upcoming Events
Oct
20
Dear Colleagues,
The Pace University College of Health Professions is hosting a Nursing Advocacy Day on Saturday, November 4th at One Pace Plaza Manhattan.
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Oct
05
Dear Members,
▶ NEW BYLAWS AMENDMENTS
Read More
September 2023 Newsletter
Category: Public Relations
Oct
01
The September newsletter covers the following topics:
Read More
Summer Newsletter
Category: Public Relations
Aug
04
The August newsletter covers the following topics:
Read More
June 2023 Newsletter
Category: President's Updates
Jun
24
Stay up-to-date on the latest NYSANA news.
June's newsletter covers the following topics:
- President’s Message
- Legislative Update: end of session 2023
- Spectrum News Story
- Invitation to join a NYSANA Committee
- Peer Wellness
- NYSANA Election Update
- Fall Meeting with Twin Oaks Workshop
- Liberty District Meeting
Jun
03
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.
Read More
Jun
01
The intersections of the queer community and healthcare highlight a history of disparity based on gender expression and sexual orientation that has been rooted in implicit bias, institutional barriers, and a lack of training in regard to specific community needs. This disparity manifests as decreased access to healthcare, increased prevalence of preventable medical conditions, and increased morbidity and mortality related to mental health when compared to the general population. This disparity becomes even more profound when compounded with belonging to other traditionally underserved communities. We as a society have made great strides in improving these conditions but there is still much work to be done.
Opportunities for improvement include but aren't limited to:
- Inclusive sexual health education
- Increased funding to public health resources
- Intentional health screening for queer patients that highlights disease prevention and mental health while maintaining a nonjudgmental atmosphere
- Improved employer benefits for same-sex partners
- Healthcare benefits that include access to gender-affirming care
- Legislation that makes discrimination based on gender expression and sexual orientation illegal on a federal level
- Inclusive and intentional education for healthcare providers about the history of disparity and the specific health needs of the LGBTQIA+ community
- Active recruitment of healthcare providers from the LGBTQIA+ community to help identify and bridge gaps in care that can lead to disparity
As this Pride month begins, now is the time to engage in conversations with our colleagues, teams, departments, and employers about what policies are in place to protect and serve members of the LGBTQIA+ community who are seeking care as well as those who are providing care. Together we can help to make our places of healing to be open and equitable to everyone under the rainbow.
May Newsletter
Category: Public Relations
May
25
Stay up-to-date on the latest NYSANA news.
In this month's newsletter, NYSANA President, Sean McGarry recaps the recent Advocacy Day.
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