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Health & Wellness and Peer Assistance

 


Professional self-care is influenced by the ability of practitioners to manage their lifestyles and happiness through personal choices and behaviors. CRNAs and students have the responsibility, accountability, and competence to make positive choices and improve their physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The AANA Health and Wellness Program website offers information and resources to reduce risk factors and improve health and fitness. 
 
The AANA recognizes that anesthesia providers, because of their exposure and the nature of their work, face a high occupational risk for substance misuse. Information and assistance for CRNAs and student nurse anesthetists for chemical dependency and substance misuse and for getting help can be found on the Peer Assistance portion of this site (see left sidebar). 
 

 Wellness Defined

 

Wellness is a positive state of the mind, body, and spirit reflecting a balance of effective adaptation, resilience, and coping mechanisms in personal and professional environments that enhance quality of life.

Wellness/Chemical Dependency Curriculum Task Force, October 2010​
 

 Wellness Resources

 

​Fatigue and Sleep

Stress

Jan Stewart Memorial Wellness Lecture Series

Mental Well-Being (link to follow)

State Association Resources and State Travel Wellness Exhibit (see left sidebar)

Student Wellness (see left sidebar)  

 

Wellness Activities at AANA Meetings

Wellness Milestones Articles

Workplace Wellness 
 

 External Links

 
360-5: Daily wellness tips from Cleveland Clinic Wellness for "truth and guidance for your total wellness journey 360 degrees, 365 days a year."
 
 
Other external wellness links (link to follow)
 
 

 Health & Wellness History

 
In 1983 the AANA Ad Hoc Committee on Chemical Dependency was appointed, which grew and expanded to today's Peer Assistance Advisors Committee.  In 2004 the AANA Wellness Program began with the objectives of developing and implementing functional strategies encompassing health promotion and the elements of wellness, balance, and self-care.  Working together on key issues of education for the prevention of occupational risk of substance misuse and addressing the importance of personal health lifestyles for anesthesia professionals, the two groups collaborate as AANA Health and Wellness. 
 

 Health & Wellness Contacts

 

Peer Assistance Helpline
(800) 654-5167 

Janet Dewan, CRNA, MS
Chair, AANA Health & Wellness Committee
j.dewan@neu.edu

Art Zwerling, CRNA, DNP, DAAPM
Chair, AANA Peer Assistance
Advisors Committee
a.to.z@comcast.net
 
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Hotline
1 (800) 273-TALK
 
Anesthetists in Recovery (AIR)
(215) 635-0183
 
Peer Assistance in Your State: Directory of State Peer Advisors, Chemical Dependency Programs, and State Boards of Nursing 

AANA Staff:
Julie Rice, Wellness Specialist
(847) 655-1114
jrice@aana.com or
wellness@aana.com
​
 

 Walk/Run 2012

 

​You are invited to join us for the 2012 Wake-Up for Wellness Fun 5K Walk/Run on Monday, August 6!  The flat course runs along the San Francisco Bay with views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco skyline.  Watch for more information with the Annual Meeting registration materials or email wellness@aana.com

Check-out online photos of the 2011 Walk/Run in Boston plus the sit-up and push up contests held at the Wellness Exhibit during the meeting.

 

 Walk/Run 2011

 
Fritchman, first place woman runner