AANA Foundation

Meet Oluwatoyin Orunja, Foundation Board Student Trustee

MS, RN-BC, CNL, CCRN
University of Maryland School of Nursing

Oluwatoyin Orunja has been selected as the 2017-2019 Student Representative on the AANA Foundation Board of Trustees. Toyin, as she prefers to be called, earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. In an effort to combine her passion for science and desire to work in a clinical setting with patients, Toyin pursued the Clinical Nurse Leader Master of Science degree at the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Upon graduating, Toyin worked at Holy Cross Hospital in Maryland on the Medical-Surgical Telemetry Unit. After two years, she transferred to the ICU, where she fell in love in with critical care nursing. As a critical care nurse, Toyin was involved in multiple committees and initiatives, and was the co-author of the monthly ICU newsletter “ICU Express.” Furthermore, Toyin attained three nursing certifications: Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification, Clinical Nurse Leader Certification, and Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification. In addition to working as critical care nurse, Toyin was also a clinical instructor for undergraduate nursing students and taught several courses.

As her passion for critical care nursing grew deeper, Toyin knew she wanted to become a CRNA. She enjoys the critical care setting in which CRNAs practice, the versatility of the profession, and the autonomy that accompanies the job. Thanks to the guidance from the Diversity CRNA Mentorship Program, she was equipped with the knowledge and skills she needed to apply to CRNA school. 

Currently, Toyin is a second year, junior student at the University of Maryland School of Nursing Nurse Anesthesia Program. Upon graduating, Toyin aspires to give back to the nursing profession--not only as an CRNA, but also as an educator. Toyin believes knowledge is power; she wants to empower nursing students to become competent, skilled nurses, and further their education as advanced practice nurses. Toyin is also committed to encouraging diversity among healthcare providers and promoting culturally competent health care.  

In her spare time, Toyin enjoys exercising, running races, and spending time with family and friends. She serves as a mentor to students in her community at all different academic levels. Toyin believes in the concept of “Pay it Forward”, thus, she is always willing to help others. 

Toyin is very excited to serve the AANA Foundation Board of Trustees. She wants to be a resource to students across the country and disseminate information from the AANA Foundation Board of Trustee to students. Toyin encourages students and new graduates to become actively involved in promoting the AANA Foundation’s mission to advance the science of anesthesia through education and research.

The Emergency Educational Grant Program is intended to support student nurse anesthetists during times of financial hardship and natural disaster. We anticipate the funding to vary according to need (one time application per person, up to $5,000). A Spanish version of this application is available. To request a copy, please email foundation@aana.com. Note: Your Program Administrator must translate your application to English and submit with your original Spanish version.

Student Emergency Educational Grant Program Information & Application

Meet Kyle Martinez!
At the base of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, lies the small, rural town of Gardnerville, a close-knit farming community. Kyle Martinez was raised in this small town, and was greatly influenced by the sense of community that existed in Gardnerville. Growing up, Kyle was very involved in volunteering and community outreach. It was only natural that Kyle would pursue an education that would allow him to continue to be a role model and positive agent of change within his community and chosen profession...(see more)

We are proud that SRNAs actively participate in the greater AANA community and have featured many talented students in the AANA NewsBulletin. Click on the links below to access past articles highlighting the following individuals:

• Edward Deveau, RN, BSN
• Laci Severson Lynch, RN, BSN
• Fara Clarke, RN
• Travis Osborne, RN, BSN
• Lt. Cmdr. Robert Roadfuss, CRNA, MSN, NC, USN
• Morgan Moszee, RN
• Harold Barnwell, RN, BSN
• Faresha Sims, RN, BSN

Current Student Advocates

Foundation Student Advocate Deadline: 
Spring Application Deadline ~ March 30 
Fall Application Deadline ~ October 31

The Student Advocate Program was established in FY15 and continues to expand. The current goal is to have one Student Advocate per state and ultimately one per nurse anesthesia program.

Learn more about the Student Advocate Program.

Access the application for the Student Advocate Program.

Thank you to our past Student Advocates!

Foundation Board Student Trustee Application Deadline: CLOSED
The application for the Student Trustee for the Foundation's Board of Trustees is currently closed.
 
Further Opportunities
 
We encourage you to apply for scholarships and poster sessions as a student, and take advantage of our competitive grant and fellowship program once you graduate. Refer to the Applications & Programs page for information regarding:

• Scholarship Application - Now open. Deadline: March 1
• 2019 Assembly of Didactic and Clinical Educators (formerly Assembly of School Faculty) General Poster Application - Closed
• 2019 Annual Congress Poster Application (opens mid-February 2019). Oral and General Poster Presentation - Due April 1 

Congratulations to our 2018 scholarship winners!

Check out this list of scholarship recipients and consider applying in the future.

Whether you're interested in presenting your poster to your colleagues or singing your heart out in front of a live audience to help the Foundation raise funds, we have you covered. Attending our events is a great way to meet other SRNAs and get more involved. Please consider joining us:

• AANA Annual Congress  
  • August 9-13, 2019, Hyatt Regency Chicago
  
  
• See all future events.

We love to see SRNAs having fun and in action at work and AANA meetings. Talented students participated in a past Foundation Fundraiser, Orlando – The Stars Come Out Again.

Watch Daniel Butts, Anagh Chohan, and Ginny Ondik show off their talents.

The AANA Foundation Student Trustee position is funded by the Resa Culpepper Fund. Culpepper was a former program director, trustee and chair who had a passion for education and helping students.

Kathryn Matkovich, Student Trustee 2015 - 2017
Chris Reed, Student Trustee 2013 - 2015
Monica Masemer, Student Trustee 2011 - 2013