The Clinical Anesthesia Practitioner Award was established in 1986 by the AANA Council for Public Interest in Anesthesia. This award recognizes the accomplishments of CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists involved in direct patient care, who have made an important contribution to the advancement of nurse anesthesia practice.
The Award became the Alice Magaw Outstanding Clinical Practitioner Award in 1998 to honor Alice Magaw (1860-1928), nurse anesthetist to the Mayo brothers (1893-1908). Dr. Charles H. Mayo bestowed the title “Mother of Anesthesia” on Magaw, a “peerless anesthetist” who combined open drop ether and talking soothingly to patients during the administration of the anesthetic. Magaw shared her expertise with the medical community by writing five articles, the first publication by a nurse anesthetist, with her observations on administering anesthetics and training nurses sent by leading surgeons.
The Award is presented during the AANA Annual Meeting.
The nominee must be or have been a CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist who has been actively involved in improving the quality of patient care. The nominee may be living or deceased.
Please ensure your nomination clearly addresses how the candidate meets each of the outlined criteria.
Nomination Deadline: March 15
Submit a Nomination: Apply now
For more information, contact Kelly McCohen at governance@aana.com.
The Clinical Anesthesia Practitioner Award was established in 1986 by the AANA Council for Public Interest in Anesthesia. This award recognizes the accomplishments of CRNAs involved in direct patient care, who have made an important contribution to the advancement of nurse anesthesia practice.
For more than 45 years, Brault has provided exceptional anesthesia care across a wide range of clinical settings across Wisconsin and Michigan. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to patient safety, clinical excellence, and compassionate care while adapting to the evolving healthcare landscape.
Brault’s colleagues describe her as a clinician who combines technical expertise with calm confidence. According to one nominator, she “has consistently demonstrated a high level of dedication, excellence, and integrity that makes her an impressive anesthesia provider.” They noted that she is meticulous in every aspect of her work while displaying “exceptional character, confidence, and skill.”
Over the course of her career, Brault has practiced in diverse clinical environments, including obstetrics, emergency airway management, fertility medicine, outpatient gastroenterology, and independent rural practice. Her experience spans decades of advancements in anesthesia care, and colleagues credit her with embracing evolving technologies and evidence-based practices while maintaining the highest standards of patient care. One nominator wrote that “her attention to detail, ability to manage complex cases, and calm demeanor under pressure inspires confidence in both colleagues and patients.”
In addition to providing outstanding patient care, Brault has made a lasting impact through clinical mentorship. She has taught Resident Registered Nurse Anesthetists (RRNAs) in outpatient clinical settings, where her colleagues say they have “learned the fine art and science of delivering a safe anesthetic” under her guidance. Fellow CRNAs and physicians alike describe her as a trusted teacher who is “always in high demand.”
Beyond her clinical accomplishments, Brault is recognized for her compassion, humility, and dedication to those around her. Her nomination notes that “whoever is under her watchful care can be guaranteed an exceptional anesthesia experience.” Her ability to connect with patients and families while maintaining technical excellence has earned the respect of colleagues throughout her career.
“Roxy Brault has, and continues to be, at the pinnacle of the anesthesia profession,” wrote her nominator. “Her contributions to the profession is connected to the thousands of lives she has helped, saved, prolonged, and changed for the better.”
Brault graduated from the Sacred Heart School of Nursing’s Licensed Practical Nurse program in Milwaukee before earning her Registered Nurse credentials at the Milwaukee Area Technical School. She earned her diploma in nurse anesthesia from the St. Francis Anesthesia School in La Crosse, Wisconsin.