Joseph Morel Honored as Federal Political Director of the Year
by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists

Park Ridge, Ill.—Joseph “Mike” Morel, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and Co-Director of Martin Anesthesia Group, Martin, Tenn., is the recipient of the 2010 Federal Political Director of the Year award presented by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).  Morel received the award during the AANA’s Mid-Year Assembly held in Washington, D.C.

The Federal Political Director of the Year award was established in 2001 by the AANA Board of Directors to acknowledge a CRNA who has made significant contributions in advancing AANA’s federal healthcare agenda through state and federal grassroots political initiatives while serving as a Federal Political Director for the Association. 

“I accept this award on behalf of all nurse anesthetists who promote our profession at the state and national level,” said Morel. “Many achievements of the nurse anesthesia profession are the direct results of CRNAs across the country informing and building relationships with their local legislators. I am truly proud to be a CRNA and equally honored to receive this award.”  

A CRNA and member of the Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TANA) for 30 years, Morel is well known to local, state, and federal legislators for his political involvement. During his seven years as TANA’s Federal Political Director, Morel worked closely with lobbyists to help educate potential candidates on issues that affect nurse anesthetists and healthcare access in rural areas. 

In reflecting on his political activity, Morel stressed the importance of taking every opportunity to advocate on behalf of the nurse anesthesia specialty. One example he gave was how he and Sen. Jim Sasser (D-TN) began their friendship over a conversation while sitting next to each other on a plane.

“To maintain a permanent seat at the table, and to stay at the forefront of the minds of our state and federal decision makers, it is important that we take advantage of any opportunity to build such relationships,” Morel added. “I have been lobbying since the Capitol Hill underground trolley system was in place, and I can wholeheartedly say that the importance of CRNAs presence on Capitol Hill today is just as important as it was back then.” 

Morel is currently pursuing his doctorate in philosophy with a concentration in health care administration at Kennedy-Western University. He completed his master’s degrees in nurse anesthesia at the Gooding Institute of Nurse Anesthesia within the Bay Medical Center located in Panama City, Fla., and the Middle Tennessee School of Nurse Anesthesia in Madison, Tenn. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Regents College in Albany, N.Y., and an associate’s degree in nursing from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn.

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