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 Greetings, Wisconsin CRNAs!
This news update is being written from Minneapolis—site of our AANA’s 75th Annual Meeting.  Those of us who have crossed that river to network, learn and celebrate together are not being disappointed!  There are over 2000 CRNAs and student anesthetists from across 50 states and numerous international guests, as well.  Many fine educational offerings are held, as well as interesting and fun entertainment opportunities.

Wisconsin’s special celebrations this year include the election of Karen Eisberner of Eau Claire and Marshfield to a place on AANA’s Board of Directors as our Region 3 Director.  She is doing an astounding job representing us.  Several past AANA presidents and current officers have generously offered her their counsel as she orients to her responsibilities, should she ask.  We are fortunate to have our first Wisconsin CRNA ascend to an AANA post since Judy Hanley of LaCrosse did so about 2 decades age!  Join me in congratulating Karen and wishing her every success in this prestigious post.  I know her passion for our profession will stir her to work very hard for our representation nationally.  She will be open to your questions and suggestions.  Keep involved and in touch with her.  We can make a difference nationally, through involvement!

The next astounding honor falls rightly to John Buonora—that’s “John Buonora Nurse Anesthetist” as he always says--of Neenah.  John is crowned with the most prestigious award that AANA grants at the annual banquet—the Ira P. Gunn Award.  This award highlights the most dedicated defenders of our profession.  John’s word defending our Wisconsin Opt-out was extraordinary in quality and quantity.  He saved our association many thousands of dollars and saved our Opt-out by his diligent and self-sacrificing work in the year preceding and throughout his year of his presidency.  He has been an inspiration to so many of us in Wisconsin.  We congratulate him and honor him, along with the CRNAs across our nation. 

Both John and Karen were honored at a reception held at the Dakota Jazz Club on the evening of August 12, 2008.  Approximately 50 CRNAs from Wisconsin and AANA members were in attendance.  Patrick Downey of Manitowoc, the winner of the Ira P. Gunn Award from 2007 and past AANA president during the year I graduated from anesthesia school, served as Master of Ceremonies.  I will have photos and a brief video of the reception to share with members attending our Fall Meeting in Sturgeon Bay.  You won’t want to miss this.

Four (4!!!) CRNAs from Wisconsin were inducted into the AANA Foundation Friends for Life.  As I pass the gavel on to Shelley Ekblad, our next WIANA President, I will reassume the AANA Foundation Advocate for our state.  I will be available to discuss how easy it is to join the ranks of other CRNAs who have made a legacy commitment to honor our profession by such a gift forwarding education and research.  I congratulate Thomas Hilbert, Karen Eisberner, Shelley Ekblad and Peter Strube for their induction into the Friends for Life.  Watch for the Medallions on red ribbons that distinguish them at meetings and association functions.  Offer them your gratitude, too.

A Wisconsin student, Micah Playman of Waukesha, presently a senior student was honored with 2 large AANA Foundation scholarships totaling $5000 at the annual meeting.  I was present on behalf of John Buonora to congratulate Micah on being awarded the Buonora scholarship that the WIANA members voted to give at the Fall 2007 WIANA meeting.  Micah has attended several WIANA meetings and plans to return to our state upon graduation.  His current clinical placement is at Froedtert Lutheran Hospital.  He would like to become an educator one day for our great profession.  Join me in congratulating Micah and don’t forget to involve him in WIANA activities as soon as he is graduated and resettled!

Our WIANA Public Relations Committee Chair submitted an incredible compilation of our PR efforts for the year that, although it did not win the first place award, was displayed with honors at the AANA Public Relations booth in the vendor hall.   Thanks go out to Rick Grundman for an exceptional year of service as our PR chair.  He has done a magnificent job accomplishing many fine programs for our organization.

I urge you to consider attending next year’s AANA Annual Meeting in San Diego.  It will be another exciting opportunity to learn, network with colleagues and celebrate our great successes.  In the meantime, I hope you will register now for the meeting in Sturgeon Bay coming in the next month—September 12—14, 2008.  WIANA election results will be announced at that meeting.  I urge you all to vote today for our slate of WIANA candidates.

Wilma K. Gillis, CRNA, APNP
President

“Counting only the Shining Moments”

Oh, the places we can go...

Your PR Committee is working hard!  This trail is in Region One.  Similar trail adoptions are available in all our regions!  Contact Rick Grundman for information on how to get it done!