Vermont Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Page

  The state of Vermont was represented at the 2009 AANA annual meeting in San Diego by VTANA President Elect Mark Green, Treasurer/Secretary Jon Bennett, and myself, Carroll Ruhlman.
   Mark did an excellent job of reporting on the meeting so I won't repeat. But here are my thoughts. It is always a great time to meet so many CRNA's and state leaders from all over the country. These leaders work diligently to monitor and respond to any practice issues in their states. We heard many stories of the support and collaboration that come from our AANA leaders when a state issue arises.
   Attending the annual meeting or Mid Year Assembly is a powerful experience. We have such a strong organization, with amazing leadership, and attending these meeting makes me extremely proud to be a CRNA.

The many state leaders we met talk about how important a strong state association is. Our state is small and there are only about fifty CRNA's here, but we strongly encourage everyone to try to be involved with the Vermont Association. We all need to stay connected. We have a lobbyist in Montpelier who monitors legislation and educates our officials about who we are.
Through networking we can be a source of education and support for each other. I'm proud to say that the Vermont Association of Nurse Anesthetists has supported students through sponsorship for AANA and NEANA meetings, and we awarded $2000 to the AANA Foundation for two student scholarships. VANA funds our officers to attend national meetings (a benefit of involvement)

We sponsored Keara Cahill, a student from UNE to attend the San Diego meeting. I asked her to write her impressions from a student perspective. Here is her report.

AANA Annual Meeting 2009
San Diego, CA

  My name is Keara Cahill and I’m a CRNA student at the University of New England.  This year I was sponsored by the Vermont Association of Nurse Anesthetists to attend the annual meeting in California.  Being asked to write a short commentary about my experience proves difficult, as there is just too much to say. A number of things struck me about my week in San Diego.
First and foremost was the strength of our membership.  The sheer number of people in attendance was a shock to me, and beyond that was a dedication to their career that I cannot fathom could be rivaled in other professions. Aside from the learning opportunities of each and every lecture, break-out session, business meeting and, of course, the college bowl, there was a camaraderie amongst those in attendance that would impress anyone.  People genuinely wanted to meet everyone they could and talk about the work they are so proud of.  As one of many students in attendance, I was able to talk to people from around the country about the challenges and thrills of anesthesia school, job searches and life as a graduate student in general!
   Most impressive, however, was the banquet.  I found myself surrounded by students, professionals and political activists that at the core of it were just people easy to talk to, interested in what I had to say and proud to be where they were.  It made me proud to be almost there!!
   I cannot express how much the opportunity to be a part of it all meant to me… and without sponsorship I would not have been able to attend. So thank you to everyone who had anything to do with providing me the financial means to be there.  And thanks to everyone who does this job and does it well - for it is truly a profession to be proud of.
   The countdown is on until I can consider myself one of you…!

Keara Cahill UNE SRNA

The VANA will be having a fall business and educational meeting on Friday October 16 from 6:00-8:00 in Montpelier. Postcards will be sent with details but please mark your calendars. Wouldn't it be great if we could all come together and meet each other.

Your association is here for YOU!

Carroll Ruhlman
President VTANA