1960

Membership passed 10,000.

Cameron Meredith, PhD, educational advisor to the Association, became the first non-nurse anesthetist honorary life member of the AANA.

The first filmstrip, “Proud Profession,” was a seven-minute recruitment effort aimed at high school students.

Alaska became the 51st association to affiliate with the AANA; all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., were now affiliated. (NB July 1960)

The Journal and NewsBulletin were published on a bimonthly basis.

1961

The filmstrip “Anesthesia: A Special Type of Nursing” was released and won the Blue Ribbon Award at the American Film Festival. (NB July 1961)

The bylaws were changed to have dues sent directly to the executive office and not to the state treasurers. (NB Nov 1961)

1962

The last Refresher Course for nonmembers took place. (NB November 1962)

The Puerto Rico Association of Nurse Anesthetists became the 52 nd state affiliate. (NB May 1962)

Florence McQuillen was honored in a surprise ceremony at the Annual Banquet that paid tribute to her 15 years of service as the AANA Executive Director. (NB November 1962)

The third filmstrip, “An Introduction to a History of the Nurse in Anesthesia,” debuted at the Annual Meeting. (NB Nov 1962)

The first Council Conference was held; it would become the Assembly of States in 1976. (NB Mar 1962)

1963

A retirement plan for the executive office staff was established. (NB Nov 1970)

COL Mildred Irene Clark became the first nurse anesthetist to serve as Chief of the Army Nurse Corps.

1964

The Bylaws Committee introduced a new form to assist in the conversion of state and assembly bylaws to a uniform format. (NB July 1964)

The executive office employed a staff of 12, which followed the “long time plan of one employee for each 1,000 members.” (NB Mar 64)

The Education Committee’s “Educator’s Salary Survey” indicated the average salary for clinical instructors was $573 per month. (NB Nov 64)

1965

AANA members served in Vietnam. Two nurse anesthetists, Lieutenants Jerome Olmsted and Kenneth Shoemaker, lost their lives in 1967.

Members were urged to provide zip codes to the executive office in accordance with new Post Office mail regulations. (NB July 65)

Florence McQuillen, CRNA, was honored as the top health association executive of the year at Hospital Management’s awards breakfast. (NB Nov 65)

Region 6 was established.

The first Teachers’ Workshop was held; it was established to help AANA members improve their teaching skills. (NB May 1965)

The Medicare Bill was signed into law.

1966

The AANA Public Relations Committee and the executive staff met with ASA leaders to explore ways the two associations could cooperate to provide better anesthesia services to patients. (NB May 1966)

The Public Relations Committee produced the recruitment filmstrip, “In These Hands.” (NB Sept 1966)

1967

Vice President Marie Bader, CRNA, attended the National League for Nursing convention representing the AANA Board of Trustees. ( NB September 1967)

The Board authorized an annual holiday party for the executive office staff as a present from the AANA members to the staff. (NB Jan 1969)

1968

The AANA NewsBulletin and the ASA Newsletter published the jointly developed “ASA-AANA Statement” which concluded “[i]t is, therefore, highly desirable that continued close liaisons be developed between these organizations for enhancing the quality and quantity of available personnel, for advancing educational opportunities, for determining ethical relationships and for the overall improvement of patient care.” (Bankert p150)

1969

AANA members approved voluntary continuing education for CRNAs, and certificates for Continued Professional Excellence were awarded to members who met the eligibility requirements.

Stories of Success, a TV show on the AANA and nurse anesthetists, was filmed at locations in Chicago and California. (NB Nov 1969)