Shari Harrison, DNP, CRNA, of Cleveland Clinic volunteers with the Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) to help support and encourage future Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Her experience demonstrates why CRNA mentorship and professional outreach matter: connecting students and aspiring CRNAs with those already in the profession can provide encouragement, build community and help strengthen the next generation of nurse anesthetists.
Every time a CRNA sets up a table in a high school gymnasium or a college fair hall, something quietly powerful happens. A student who may have never met a nurse anesthetist, who may not even know the profession exists, suddenly sees one. That single conversation can be the moment a future career begins.
What a week it was. The Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists is proud to share that OSANA has been presented with the Excellence in State Government Relations Advocacy Award at the AANA Mid-Year Assembly in Washington, D.C. We are honored, humbled, and so deeply grateful for this recognition.
This award is presented annually by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology to one state association whose work in the state legislative or regulatory arena has meaningfully advanced the nurse anesthesiology profession. To be selected for this honor is a reflection not of any one person's effort, but of the collective dedication of an entire community of CRNAs across Ohio who refuse to sit on the sidelines when it comes to protecting our profession and our patients.
With more than 500 attendees, the 2026 OSANA Annual Conference at the Hilton Columbus at Easton embodied the spirit of the organization and the strength of the nurse anesthesia profession in Ohio. The weekend featured robust educational sessions, student presentations, and RN-to-CRNA programming, capped by the College Bowl and a government relations update celebrating the passage of House Bill 52.
Rosemont, Ill. Ohio has enacted legislation updating and modernizing outdated statutes governing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).
If you’re a CRNA or SRNA in Ohio, consider this your guide to the OSANA Annual Conference. From key dates and registration windows to hotel details and can’t-miss sessions, this guide will keep you in the loop as plans come together for three days of education, networking, and professional growth at the OSANA Annual Conference at the Hilton Columbus at Easton, March 20–22, 2026.
For students who are passionate about science, patient care, and leadership in healthcare, the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) path offers a powerful and rewarding career option.
CRNAs are advanced practice nurses who safely administer anesthesia before, during, and after surgeries, procedures, and childbirth. CRNAs have been trusted anesthesia experts for more than 150 years. In Ohio, this career path is especially compelling: the state is ranked #2 in the nation for CRNA programs, offering rigorous, accredited educational pathways, strong job demand, and exceptional earning potential.
National CRNA Week honors the more than 75,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and nurse anesthesiology residents who provide safe, compassionate anesthesia care across the United States. Each year, OSANA proudly joins this national celebration, recognizing the extraordinary skill, dedication, and life-saving impact CRNAs have on patients and communities every single day.
The stage is set for the 2026 OSANA Conference and this year we are looking forward to laughing our way through the event with CRNA and Comedian (yes, that’s the combo) Jon Holmer. We recently caught up with Jon to get the vibe he’s bringing and a little about him.
OSANA’s student board is where the future of nurse anesthesia in Ohio starts taking shape. This group of Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs) represents programs across the state, serves as a bridge between students and OSANA leadership, and helps ensure student perspectives are always part of the conversation around advocacy, education, and the profession’s future.
As 2025 comes to a close, we want to look back at what an incredible year it has been for Ohio CRNAs and SRNAs. Let’s explore our highlights and most memorable moments in our OSANA Recap.
The Board of Directors of the Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) serves as the guiding force behind the organization’s mission to advance nurse anesthesiology through education, advocacy, and empowerment. Representing more than 3,150 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and students across Ohio, the board is composed of dedicated healthcare professionals who bring clinical expertise, policy insight, and leadership experience to the organization and healthcare across the state. Their commitment ensures that OSANA remains a credible and proactive voice for CRNAs throughout the region.
Presenting a poster at the Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) Conference is an exciting opportunity. It’s your chance to showcase research, contribute to the nurse anesthesia profession, and network with peers across Ohio.
The Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) continues its mission to advance nurse anesthesiology through excellence in education, advocacy, knowledge, and member empowerment. As the association welcomes a new president, we reflect with gratitude on the leadership of outgoing President Nicholas Farinacci, DNP, CRNA and look forward with anticipation to the vision of incoming President Kim Riviello, DNP, MBA, CRNA.
Ohio’s Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are trusted providers of safe, high-quality anesthesia care. But their impact doesn’t stop at the operating room door. Across the state, members of the Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) are making a difference in meaningful ways by volunteering their time, skills, and compassion to uplift families and strengthen communities.
Earlier this month, the 2025 AANA 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.
Describe your prior nursing work experience including both specialty and region.
LinkedIn has emerged as a pivotal platform for professional networking, career advancement, and organizational visibility across industries, and healthcare is no different. For Student Registered Nurse Anesthetists (SRNAs), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), and professional associations like the Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA), leveraging LinkedIn can significantly enhance individual careers and the collective voice of the nurse anesthesiology profession.
