Region 4 Report: Wendell Spencer, CRNA, MHS Region 4 Director

    On August 20, 2004, a historic meeting occurred in Chicago with the leadership of AANA and ASA at the table to discuss a process called “Thought Bridge”. “Thought Bridge” has successfully facilitated mediating everything from apartheid in South Africa to talks between foreign leaders of countries who were at war with each other. After 5 hours of discussions, leaders from both ASA and AANA agreed on a platform by which we would take our future discussions that will be built on accurate information, mutual respect and utilization of this process. We could not have gotten to this table without the hard work and diligent efforts of our past leaders and Boards of Directors in AANA. Obviously, one of Kansas’ own CRNA’s worked very hard in this effort, Tom McKibban, and he deserves applause for his many meetings with the ASA’s leadership.

    What does this all mean? Will the road ahead be paved with gold and good intentions for all involved? Will all matters of discussion be an easy fix? I think we all understand that this journey will take commitment, resolve and determination as all of our past leaders demonstrated in dealing with all issues presented. Our AANA Board and Leadership are committed to representation of our members with the same fervor that has always been in our organization. The process is one that encourages bringing issues “out on the table” that have been unable to be discussed in the past. Your Board of Directors is committed to a strong representation of our members needs in the discussions with ASA.

    Leadership on both sides of the aisle agree that this will not be a primrose path for either ASA or AANA. We both agree that the leadership cannot stop every bad situation from occurring in all practice settings. We do feel that we share common interest in areas of patient safety, some billing issues and that although we will not agree on everything, mutual professional respect will be the first building block in attempting to craft a relationship. I look forward to getting more details to you all in Region 4 as information on our meetings continue. Please feel free to email me anytime at crna@morcomm.net. Thanks for your support and I look forward to coming to the Region to update you on all the progress we are making on your membership’s Board of Directors.

Wendell Spencer, CRNA, MHS

(posted 8-24-2004)