AVANA / Association of Veterans Affairs Nurse Anesthetists

12/17/2025

📢 Hey VA CRNAs have you heard❔📢

For most AVANA Members, payroll deduction was suddenly discontinued for our organization! This means that if your dues came out automatically, you are most likely not a current member.⁉️

There’s great news! We have set up a way for you to easily rejoin. Just use the QR or visit our website, it’s super easy!✅

We are working hard to build our strength, and this can only happen with your support! Please help us help you! Unified, we can continue our efforts to connect VA nurse anesthetists and promote the highest quality anesthesia services for veterans!

Click here to renew your membership ⬇️

https://www.vacrna.com/m

12/07/2025

On this day in 1941, the Japanese Navy led a surprise attack on the island of Oahu (Hawaii), specifically to target the U.S. Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

Notably, Lieutenant Commander Lucille Shaffer Hines—US Navy Nurse Corps 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐚—along with 28 other nurses were stationed at Pearl Harbor when the attack occurred. Over the next 3 days, these women tirelessly treated 327 burn patients, often with little to no sleep. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the commander-in-chief of the United States Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT), later recognized these nurses, including LCDR Hines, for “bravery under enemy fire.”

On this date, the 84th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, we honor and remember the 2,403 military and civilian lives lost and the courage and sacrifices of all US personnel at Pearl Harbor.

12/07/2025

On this day in 1941, the Japanese Navy led a surprise attack on the island of Oahu (Hawaii), specifically to target the U.S. Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

U.S. Navy Captain Winnie Gibson DeWitt heroically served as a nurse anesthetist and operating room supervisor at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor. She also served during World War II and the Korean War. Notably, CPT Gibson was the first nurse anesthetist—more commonly known today as a CRNA or nurse anesthesiologist—to be appointed Director of the US Navy Nurse Corps. Overall, she was the second person EVER to serve in that role. Joining the U.S. Navy in 1930 and retiring from active duty on 1954, CPT Gibson passed away in Texas in July 2000.

On this date, the 84th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, we honor and remember the 2,403 military and civilian lives lost and the courage and sacrifices of all US personnel at Pearl Harbor.

12/02/2025

✨Attention all VHA Chief CRNAs✨

AVANA is excited to host our next Chief CRNA meeting on 1/7/26. This is a great opportunity to connect and collaborate on trending topics and VA specific issues! Our goal is to provide a time for networking and support, and a valuable space to share. We hope to see you there!

Click the link below to register:

https://www.vacrna.com/chief-crna-meetings

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for YOU—the CRNAs who deliver safe, compassionate anesthesia care to Veterans every single day.

Wishing you and your loved ones a restful and joyful Thanksgiving! 🧡

11/20/2025

11/12/2025

11/10/2025

07/30/2025