IN THIS ISSUE

• Government Relations Committee Update
• Nominating Committee
• CRNA Week 2025 Recap
• Dissemination Opportunity for CRNA DNP/PhD Candidates
• Upcoming NYSANA Events

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Published in The Buffalo News, January 7, 2025
by Mark Blazey, CRNA and NYSANA President

Every year across the United States, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) safely administer more than 58 million anesthetics to patients. I am proud to count myself among the nearly 78,000 CRNAs celebrating our profession during National CRNA Week from Jan. 19-25.

 IN THIS ISSUE

• Government Relations Committee Update
• Share a Message with Fellow CRNAs!
• CRNA Week 2025
• Dissemination Opportunity for CRNA DNP/PhD Candidates
• DNP Research Study
• Upcoming NYSANA Events

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Commentary: This rule change would improve care at veterans hospitals

New York veterans deserve the best, most timely health care through the Veterans Administration, without long waits and red tape. 

 IN THIS ISSUE

• 2025 Advocacy Initiatives
• Legislative Update from Fall Meeting
• NYSANA Annual Meeting Minutes
• DNP Research
• Volunteers Wanted! Join the DEI Committee
• Resident Support — Thank you!
• POCUS Workshop at Columbia
• Upcoming NYSANA Events
• NYP Recruitment Info Session (Virtual)

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Dear Colleagues,

 As my first term as your president ends, I want to update you on what we’ve done this year: our successes, struggles, goals, and what to expect in this upcoming year and beyond. If you read one update this year from NYSANA, make this it.

 IN THIS ISSUE

• AANA Amendments Passed at Annual Congress 2024
• Q&A with Lobbyist Amy Kellogg
• Please Respond! Work Environment for CRNAs in Rural Setting
• Freelance Isn't Fee Act Impact on NY CRNA Practice
• 2024 Fall Meeting Hotel Update
• Meet Our New Peer Wellness Chairs
• DEI Committee Update

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IN THIS ISSUE

• Government Relations & Legislative Update
• 2025 Legislative Strategy Discussion and Q&A
• Discover the 2024 Fall Meeting Agenda
• DNP Research Survey
• Sign Up for Yankees Healthcare Appreciation Nights in August
• Upcoming Important Dates

IN THIS ISSUE

• Government Relations & Legislative Update
• Meet Your 2024-25 Slate of Candidates
• Introducing the New DEI Committee & Goals
• Get Involved — Searching for a New Peer Wellness Chair
• Learn More About the Fall Meeting
• Upcoming Important Dates

Interview with  for Jake Forrester, CRNA

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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. 

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

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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

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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

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The January newsletter covers the following topics:

• NYSANA Update, Mark Blazey

• CRNA Week events schedule

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

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.

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

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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

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