The Researcher of the Year Award recognizes people who have made significant contributions to the practice of anesthesia through research. The Researcher of the Year Award is named in memory of John F. Garde, a previous Foundation Trustee, AANA Executive Director and charter member of the AANA Foundation. John was instrumental in the creation of the Foundation and realized the importance of supporting nurse anesthesia long into the future. He was a leader whose accomplishments are remarkable by anyone’s standards.
The John F. Garde Researcher of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to the practice of anesthesia through research.
Application is now open. Deadline: April 1
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Established in 1999, the award is named for former AANA Executive Director John Garde and is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the practice of nurse anesthesiology through clinical research. Recipients must be a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), also known as nurse anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, who is or has been active in anesthesia research, nominated by their peers and selected by the AANA Foundation Board of Trustees. The AANA Foundation presented the prestigious 2026 John F. Garde Researcher of the Year Award to Susan McMullan.
Susan McMullan is a certified registered nurse anesthetist, accomplished clinician, educator, nurse scientist, and nationally recognized leader in nurse anesthesia education and research. Renowned for her scholarship, clinical expertise, and leadership, McMullan has dedicated her career to advancing patient safety, evidence-based practice, clinician well-being, and excellence in nurse anesthesia education.
“I am deeply honored and sincerely grateful to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology Foundation for this recognition,” McMullan said. “To be recognized alongside so many accomplished nurse anesthesia researchers and leaders is truly humbling. I am especially thankful to the mentors, colleagues, and leaders whose guidance, support, and encouragement have shaped my journey as a nurse scientist. Their commitment to scientific rigor, scholarship, and professional excellence has inspired my work and strengthened my dedication to advancing our profession.”
Her research has significantly expanded the profession’s understanding of CRNA workload, safety culture, adverse anesthesia events, educational outcomes, and certification assessment. Through rigorous quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research, McMullan has produced influential research exploring the relationship between provider workload and patient safety in complex healthcare environments.
Throughout her career, McMullan has secured more than $1 million in federal and foundation funding to support research and educational initiatives. Her work continues to inform national conversations on healthcare workforce sustainability, patient outcomes, certification assessment, and the future of nurse anesthesia education and practice.
In addition to her research accomplishments, McMullan is a dedicated mentor and servant leader. She has mentored countless residents, faculty members, and emerging nurse scientists in research methodology, scholarship, and leadership development. Her service to the profession includes serving on the National Board of Certification and serving as president for the Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) Board of Directors. Through her research, mentorship, clinical expertise, and commitment to academic excellence, McMullan continues to shape the future of nurse anesthesia practice, education, and research nationwide.
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