Jon caught up with Dr Juan Quintana, president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and Kristie Hoch, president of the Maine Association of Nurse Anesthetists, to chat about the value of being a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).  Membership in the AANA is open to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs).

Dr Juan Quintana, CRNA, DNP, MHS, leads a CRNA-only anesthesia practice in Texas and well as an anesthesia billing firm.  His expertise lies in the areas of anesthesia practice models, economics, billing and reimbursement.  According to his website, “Dr Quintana became the first CRNA to serve on the Medicare Evidence Development and Coverage Advisory Council (MEDCAC), an independent body that provides the Medicare agency guidance and expert advice on the science and technology affecting healthcare delivery.”  He currently is serving as the president of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.

Kristie Hoch, APRN, CRNA, MSN, works in CRNA-only settings and Anesthesia Care Team practices in Maine.  She serves as the chairwoman of a group of CRNA chiefs in her organization in addition to serving as the CRNA recruiter for her company.  Kristie recently served on the Program Committee for the AANA, which is the committee that plans the Association’s Annual Congress and is currently on the AANA’s Communications Committee.  She is wrapping up her term as president of the Maine Association of Nurse Anesthetists where she has been very active in promoting CRNA services across the state.  During her term as president, MeANA was awarded the Best Public Relations Effort by Small State Association honor from the AANA.

Highlights:

“The future for CRNA’s is brilliant; absolutely brilliant.  Everything is designed right now to move CRNA practice into the forefront…  If you’re in CRNA practice, if you’re a student thinking about going into CRNA practice, you’ve made an excellent choice.”  Juan Quintana

“There’s not a question in terms of the anesthesia that I provide because it’s always going to be what I would give my mom.  So it’s going to be the absolute best.”  Juan Quintana

“The AANA supports your right to practice.  Over forty-four thousand CRNAs across the country have a much stronger voice than you alone would have.”  Kristie Hoch

Resources:

American Association of Nurse Anesthetists

Maine Association of Nurse Anesthetists

The Future of Anesthesia Care Today