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National Nurse Anesthetists Week January 22-28, 2012 CELEBRATE!
WANA Spring Anesthesia Conference Cedarbrook Lodge Seattle, WA April 13-15, 2012
AANA Mid-Year Assembly Washington, DC April 15-18, 2012
AANA Annual Meeting West Moscone Center San Francisco, CA August 4-8, 2012
Northwest States Anesthesia Conference The Davenport Hotel Spokane, WA September 28-30, 2012
AANA Fall Leadership Academy The Broadmoor Colorado Springs, CO November 16-18, 2012
WANA BYLAWS Click here to read about proposed bylaws revisions.
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Greetings from WANA
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Recently, I assumed the WANA Presidency after four years of being active in our association as a board member and program chair of the 2011 WANA Spring Anesthesia Conference. In 1992, I left the USAF after thirteen years to start a practice in Ellensburg, WA. I chose Washington State because it was one of the most CRNA-friendly states and offers many venues that have completely autonomous practice. Washington State has a CRNA-friendly environment due to the robust state association (WANA) that has vigorously challenged attempts to decrease CRNA practice. I consider this office an honor and an opportunity to serve our state association that has done so much for nurse anesthetists. Over the last twenty years, many challenges to nurse anesthesia practice have surfaced and WANA has protected and promoted safe and autonomous practice. With your help, I hope to carry on this tradition.
The first job of any leader is to assess the organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT Analysis). The WANA Board of Directors (BOD) recently decided to hold an annual retreat to accomplish this in a formalized manner. The retreat produced a strategic plan that will be presented at the 2012 WANA Spring Conference in Seattle.
Fiduciary Responsibilities. Every expenditure is considered and debated by the BOD. Savings are kept in very conservative and safe financial instruments where risk is kept to a minimum. The troubles of some associations in the past have been avoided by WANA through strict adherence to regulations that prohibit mixing of funds intended for PAC activity and WANA funds. WANA achieves accountability and transparency by having an independent audit conducted every few years.
Political Action. Dan Greenwald, State Government Relations Chair, and Melissa Johnson, WANA Lobbyist, have maintained a constant vigil for any legislation that affects our members. This early warning system has worked well for many years. Federal Political Director Randy Graybeal has recently expanded his post to be a full-fledged committee with a more defined mission and detailed charter. Kate Jansky has led WANA-PAC for many years providing guidance for the promotion of our concerns and agenda.
Executive Secretary. JoAnn Kaiser provides guidance and advice to the BOD and President. Ms. Kaiser provides corporate continuity that is essential for a volunteer association that frequently changes leadership. I cannot imagine accomplishing all that needs to be done while also practicing anesthesia in a busy rural practice without the guidance and counsel that JoAnn provides.
Legacy Resources. WANA, I would venture to guess, has more present and former national leaders than any other state. This dynamic group provides depth of leadership, opinion, and experience when needed.
WANA Members. WANA committees are staffed with members who serve the general membership well. Frequently, committee members stay involved and continue their service on the BOD.
Political. Both state and federal political strength are limited by lack of membership contact with their elected representatives. We need to increase donations to WANA and AANA PACs to increase our influence and visibility.
Communication. Not all members attend WANA conferences, resulting in many members not being involved and thereby diminishing WANA's strength.
De facto Decredentialing. Even though the governor signed the Opt Out, and the Nurse Practice Act defines our scope of practice, there has been diminution of scope of practice in hospitals statewide.
Public Relations. We must do a better job of making the public, patients, and institutions we serve aware of the value and safety of nurse anesthesia. Washington State government officials must be made aware that the majority of anesthesia in our state is actually administered by nurse anesthetists.
Business Acumen. Negotiating contracts, forming groups to obtain fair treatment, and marketing skills are definitely lacking.
President's Message continued > |
WANA 7710 E. Woodland Lane Spokane, WA 99212 Tel/Fax (509) 466-7197 E-Mail: wana1@comcast.net
WANA IS LOOKING FOR SPEAKERS WANA maintains a list of CRNA/MDA speakers available from Washington State. If any of you are interested in speaking or know of available speakers in the field of anesthesia, health care, or wellness, please respond by e-mail to WANA Executive Secretary JoAnn Kaiser at wana1@comcast.net. The speaker list is very helpful when planning Fall and Spring WANA educational meetings.
Thank you, WANA Continuing Education Committee |
STRENGTHS:
