Happy Nurse Anesthetists Week 2006!

Now in the seventh year of our annual January observance, member involvement continues to grow at a significant pace. Throughout this week many state associations, healthcare facilities, nurse anesthesia educational programs, and individual CRNAs will be making an extra effort to educate the public about nurse anesthesia and to recognize our profession's proud record of safe patient care. And this year, there's more reason than ever to celebrate, as the AANA looks forward to its 75th Anniversary as a professional Association in June!

Even if you do not have plans to participate in an organized effort to celebrate Nurse Anesthetists Week, I encourage you to take the time this week to tell at least one person about who we are and what we do. If every CRNA does this, there will be 33,000 additional people out there who are familiar with nurse anesthetists because we took the time to share this information with them. Remember, each and every one of us is our own best public relations source. Enjoy the week!

Sincerely,

Brian D. Thorson, CRNA, MA
President
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists