Rita L. LeBlanc Philanthropist of the Year Award
The Philanthropist of the Year Award, established in 2006 by the AANA Foundation, is presented to an individual who represents the spirit of Ms. LeBlanc and has gone beyond the call of duty as a supporter of the AANA Foundation. The Rita L. LeBlanc Philanthropist of the Year donates time, talent, and direct financial support to the AANA Foundation, as well as other well-deserving organizations. The recipient of this award demonstrates a strong philanthropic spirit, and through his or her charitable actions motivates others to give of themselves.
2019 Award
The Rita L. LeBlanc Philanthropist of the Year Award represents the spirit of Ms. LeBlanc and is presented to an individual who has gone beyond the call of duty as a supporter of the AANA Foundation and other philanthropic organizations. The recipient of the 2019 Rita L. LeBlanc Philanthropist of the Year Award is Dr. Juan Quintana DNP, CRNA. Dr. Quintana earned his BS at Texas Women’s University, his MHS at Texas Wesleyan University, his DNP at Texas Christian University, and was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Quinnipiac in 2017. Quintana served as President of the AANA from 2015 – 2016 and served six years on the board of the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists culminating in his presidency in 2006. Today, Dr. Quintana is the CEO of Sleepy Anesthesia Associates, founded in 1999. His anesthesia practice provides essential services to hospitals and ASC’s in Texas. He is also the co-owner of ABC Consultants LLC, an anesthesia billing company, and International Anesthesia Seminars educating others on the business of anesthesia. He is a leader in education and evaluation of cost-effectiveness and efficiency in anesthesia practice. In addition to this work, he has been involved with numerous philanthropic efforts. For the last 18 years, he has participated in over 25 medical mission trips with Healing the Children administering anesthesia services to children born with cleft lip and cleft palate deformities in South America. Additionally, in 2010 – 2012, he provided emergency healthcare services to Haitians in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. Quintana is a strong supporter of the AANA Foundation and is a Friend for Life, Leadership Circle annual donor, and Benefactor to the RISE Above campaign. His contributions to the nurse anesthesia community are countless in addition to his efforts that have benefitted many people in dire poverty with health concerns which would otherwise go unaided.
Previous Philanthropists of the Year
- 2006 - Rita L. LeBlanc, CRNA
- 2007 - Mary G. Dudley, MS, CRNA
- 2008 - Suzanne Brown, BSN, CRNA
- 2009 - Theresa Culpepper, PhD, CRNA
- 2010 - Patrick Downey, CRNA
- 2010 - Joyce Kelly, EdD, CRNA
- 2011 - Alverna Skoog, BS, CRNA
- 2012 - Goldie Brangman, CRNA
- 2013 - Sandra Kilde, EdD, CRNA
- 2014 - Col. Gina M. Mason, CRNA, U.S. Army Reserve (Ret.)
- 2015 - Elizabeth “Betty” Abrams, MS, CRNA
- 2016 - John T. "Jack" Hitchens, BA, CRNA
- 2017 - John Bendele, Jr., MS, CRNA
- 2018 - Robin Naden-Semba, MS, MPH, CRNA
Application materials for the Rita L. LeBlanc Philanthropist of the Year Award.