OSANA

08/23/2025

Earlier this month, the 2025 AANA / American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Annual Congress brought CRNAs from across the country together in Nashville, creating an energizing atmosphere for education, connection, and advocacy in nurse anesthesia.

From keynote presentations to thought-provoking workshops and panels, the Congress delivered an enriching program that showcased its reputation as one of the leading events in the profession.

Beyond the classroom, the event also provided a forum to address the evolving challenges of the profession while reinforcing the AANA Foundation’s mission of advancing anesthesia through education and research.

🗣️ "I learned that no matter where CRNAs are from we are intelligent, caring, gregarious individuals that respect each other and cherish our calling of being exemplary anesthesia providers. It was an amazing and enlightening opportunity.”

-Nick Farinacci, OSANA President

Read more takeaways: https://tinyurl.com/4x5b522e

08/22/2025

Did You Know? 🤔

CRNAs have been essential in bringing anesthesia to rural, underserved areas in America since the early 1900s, where they are often the only anesthesia providers, ensuring access to life-saving care.

Source: Warden, 2024

08/19/2025

Get to know your 2025 OSANA Board of Directors!
 
🤝 Amber Craver, MSN, CRNA
 
I work at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. I joined the OSANA board after serving 2 terms on the nominations committee and planning the spring conference. I really wanted to encourage OSANA members to become engaged and excited about being a CRNA in Ohio!
 
🤝 Sarah Milligan, DNP, CRNA
 
I have been a CRNA for almost 7 years in the Pediatric Anesthesia department and the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus. I am passionate about caring for children and adults with congenital heart disease...
 
Serving my second year as an OSANA board member and communications chair, I hope to increase engagement with members throughout the state. I love our CRNA profession, and am empowered to advocate!
 
🤝 Molly Chaney, MSN, CRNA
 
This is my second year as a member of the board! I was on the student board and found a passion for advocating for our profession and growing our practice with OSANA! I currently work as a CRNA in Cincinnati at UCMC.
 
🤝 Jenna Jenkins, DNP, CRNA
 
I have been a CRNA for five years, currently practicing in the cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia department at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus, and serving as a faculty member for Cleveland Clinic-CWRU School of Nurse Anesthesia.
 
My involvement in OSANA stems from my passion for engaging our members, fostering excitement about our profession, and promoting awareness of our rich history as CRNAs.
 
🤝 Michelle Smith, MSN, CRNA
 
I have been a CRNA for seven years and currently practice in Columbus with Midwest Physician Anesthesia Services. My passion for advancing the nurse anesthesia profession inspired me to get involved with OSANA... I aim to enhance member engagement and ensure OSANA remains a valuable resource for all nurse anesthetists in Ohio.
 
🤝 Becky Litchholt, DNAP, APRN-CRNA
 
I have been a CRNA for 9 years, and currently work at a few facilities in the Dayton/Cincinnati area... I became involved with OSANA because I encountered issues in my practice and wanted to help other CRNAs who may be experiencing those same problems.
 
➡️ Learn more at OSANA.org
 

08/15/2025

Big congratulations to Jeff Molter on being announced as the 2025-2026 President of AANA / American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology this week.

“I am honored to continue to serve the profession of nurse anesthesiology as president and look forward to working alongside the AANA Board of Directors, the incredible staff, and our members to advance patient care and support and protect CRNAs,” said Molter.

“Through visionary leadership and bold advocacy, we stand united against provider discrimination as we work to ensuring access to safe, high-quality anesthesia care for all patients.”

Congrats, Jeff! You represent Ohio well! 👏

AANA is proud to announce Jeffrey Molter, MSN, MBA, CRNA, as the 2025-2026 president of the more than 65,000-member organization.

08/15/2025

Did You Know? 🤔

During WWII, CRNAs performed nearly 3 million anesthetics for wounded soldiers. 🇺🇸

Source: Bankert, 1989

08/12/2025

Learning, connecting, and living it up in the Music City! Today's Annual Congress activities included the annual business meeting, exhibits, informative lectures and poster sessions, and ended with an epic Party with a Purpose. 💃🏻

08/11/2025

It was a good day, indeed. 🤠
Looking back at day one from the AANA Annual Congress. 👀

More to come today! Stay tuned!

08/10/2025

‼️ We know him ‼️
Jeff Molter, MBA, MSN, CRNA, officially becomes the AANA President at the end of the Annual Congress.

08/08/2025

Did You Know? 🤔

In the 1970s and 1980s, nurse anesthetists helped standardize oxygen and carbon dioxide monitoring, enhancing surgical safety.

Source: Warden, 2024

08/05/2025

Get to know your 2025 OSANA Board of Directors! 🎉

Charged with strategic direction, governance, and member engagement, the OSANA Board of Directors upholds the organization’s values by championing excellence in education, promoting inclusive and equitable practices, and influencing healthcare legislation that impacts the practice of nurse anesthesiology. Let’s meet them!

🤝 President Nicholas Farinacci, DNP, CRNA

I am the current President of OSANA and have been involved in the leadership of the organization for many years (I’m the methuselah of the board). 
 
I graduated from CRNA school in 2008 from Case Western Reserve University and obtained a DNP from the University of Akron in 2018. I’ve worked for the Cleveland Clinic since nursing school and currently am a staff CRNA at Cleveland Clinic- Medina Hospital. 
 
I live in Akron, Ohio with 3 fur babies and an incredibly supportive husband. 

🤝 President Elect Kim Riviello, DNP, MBA, CRNA

I am President/CEO of Anesthesia Services of Greater Dayton, LLC dba Anesthesia Services Group providing CRNAs to ASCs throughout Ohio. 

I became re-involved with OSANA to help further our cause in re-defining CRNAs as independent practitioners and to encourage the involvement of the OSANA membership.

🤝 Secretary Charles Tabbert, MSN, MBA, CRNA

I work clinically for Northstar Anesthesia at Mercy Defiance Hospital. Currently, I’m OSANA’s secretary having served Ohio’s CRNAs with three tours as president after starting as the student representative (2015) - an experience that opened my eyes to the necessity to protect this profession that has provided so much for my family.

🤝 Treasurer Brian Hall, DNP, CRNA

I got involved with OSANA starting in 2019 on the nominations committee. I wanted to learn more about the issues that CRNAs face in Ohio and help improve things for future generations. Since then I have been a Board Director, federal political director and on the state government relations committee.

➡️ To learn more about the OSANA Board, visit our website at OSANA.org

08/01/2025

Friday CRNA Fact 🎉

CRNAs must recertify every 8 years through the Continued Professional Certification Program, which involves ongoing education and professional development.

Source: AANA / American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology

07/30/2025

This SRNA brings precision, resilience, and a passion for regional anesthesia to the OR. Meet MaKyah Dittoe, SRNA, Otterbein University! ⭐

🔍 Describe your prior nursing work experience, including both specialty and region.

I gained nearly a year of experience on a neuro-medical surgical unit before transitioning to a medical ICU, where I worked for three years.

🔍 What inspired you to pursue a career as a CRNA?

I was introduced to anesthesia at an early age, having undergone surgical procedures myself and seeing family members experience the same. The science behind it fascinated me, and I was struck by how the anesthesia providers seemed to play such a crucial role in the well-being of patients. The combination of medical knowledge, precision, and the ability to make a real difference in people's lives inspired me to pursue this field.

🔍 What is your favorite case to do in anesthesia and why?

Regional anesthesia is my favorite type of case because I enjoy the hands-on skills it requires, particularly when utilizing ultrasound to guide the blocks. There’s a unique satisfaction in watching the block set up and witnessing the patient experience immediate relief, knowing the technique has made a direct impact on their comfort and recovery.

🔍 Elaborate on a human difference that was paramount to your becoming the person you are today (i.e., culture, national origin, religion, life experiences, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, gender expression, and/or physical abilities).

Early in my studies to become a nurse anesthetist, I faced unexpected personal challenges that led me to take a year-long sabbatical. This experience gave me a new perspective on life, allowing me to better myself both personally and professionally. When I returned, I had the opportunity to join a new class of remarkable individuals, whose diverse backgrounds and experiences further shaped who I am today.

Learn more about MaKyah: https://tinyurl.com/y34j7fff