AVANA / Association of Veterans Affairs Nurse Anesthetists

05/26/2026

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we remember the only known Armed Forces CRNAs to have lost their lives while serving.

After volunteering for two weeks to heroically help with massive casualties at the 71st Evacuation Hospital (Pleiku, VT) during the Vietnam War, both U.S. Army First Lieutenants Jerome “Jerry” Olmsted (pictured top) and Kenneth R. Shoemaker (pictured bottom) were returning back to their assigned hospital (67th Evacuation Hospital) at Qui Nhon. Sadly, on November 30, 1967, the C-47 transport plane they were both riding on crashed mountainside. Both CRNAs were posthumously awarded Bronze Stars for “heroic or meritorious achievement or service.”

Today, you can leave a virtual remembrance for either on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s website:

• https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/38665/JEROME-E-OLMSTED/

• https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/47249/KENNETH-R-SHOEMAKER-JR/

Armed Forces CRNA Appreciation Month remember 1LTs Jerome Olmsted and Kenneth R. Shoemaker and express our tremendous gratitude to all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country 🫡🇺🇸

05/25/2026

05/20/2026

From the moment U.S. Army veteran Traci Davis walks into a dance therapy session at VA Tampa, dance movement therapist Brittni Cleland is getting a vibe of a lot of factors. 🔗⬇️

05/19/2026

A first-of-its-kind milestone at Naval Hospital Jacksonville saw a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs surgeon operate within the historic facility strengthening collaboration across the military health system.

This partnership expands surgical access, improves continuity of care, and supports warfighter medical readiness by keeping clinical skills sharp and care delivery efficient.

It also advances a shared mission with the Defense Health Agency: delivering the healthcare enterprise beneficiaries deserve while sustaining a ready medical force. 💪

Learn more about how this partnership helps maintain surgical readiness across our enterprise: https://dha.mil/News/2026/05/11/18/10/VA-surgeon-operates-on-patients-in-naval-facility

05/07/2026

U.S. Army Nurses deliver expert care every day in hospitals and clinics, sustaining the health, performance, and readiness of our force.

But their mission doesn’t stop there. Trained for the demands of combat, they stand ready to deploy anytime, anywhere, bringing life saving care to the point of need in any environment.

From bedside to battlefield, they preserve combat power and ensure our Soldiers are ready to fight and win.

This National Nurses Week, we recognize the strength, skill, and commitment of our Army Nurses who answer the call no matter the mission.

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04/27/2026

The AVANA Board of Directors attended the AANA Mid Year Assembly in DC this week! 🇺🇸 It’s an honor to represent VHA CRNAs as we work to promote the highest quality care for veterans.

We would like to express appreciation for our AVANA members, AANA leadership, and all of our CRNA supporters nationwide. Our efforts are strengthened by your partnership, and your support is instrumental in our success.

Pictured below at VA Central Office: Jacob Deeds, Carrie Cromwell, Michelle Dajdumrongwood, Samuel Smith

Also pictured: AVANA BOD with AVANA ALPS Scholarship recipient Jared Battistone SRNA

02/26/2026

We are thrilled to announce the 2026 AVANA Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL! 🌴☀️🌊

**Why the Conference Schedule Looks Different This Year**

We want to take a moment to explain why this year’s conference is scheduled **Friday–Sunday** instead of our traditional **Thursday–Saturday** format.

Our organization has seen financial changes related to the sudden discontinuation of payroll deduction in early 2025. As good stewards of your dues, we’ve had to reassess conference costs and make adjustments that keep the meeting high-quality while remaining fiscally responsible.

Additionally—and just as importantly—moving the conference fully over the weekend allows more VA-employed CRNAs to attend, as weekday attendance can be difficult due to federal work schedules and leave limitations.

This schedule change was made thoughtfully, with two priorities in mind:

☑️Maintaining financial sustainability
☑️Improving access and attendance for more members

We appreciate everyone’s flexibility and support, and we’re confident this adjustment will allow more CRNAs to join us while keeping the conference strong for years to come.

As always, thank you for being engaged and invested in our organization. We look forward to seeing everyone in sunny Florida! ☀️

01/24/2026

✨Wishing a Happy CRNA Week to the providers at the South Texas VA!✨

01/24/2026

✨Happy CRNA Week to our Rocky Mountain VA Hospital colleagues in Denver!✨