AANA Wins Two 2026 ASAE Gold Circle Awards

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) received two 2026 Gold Circle Awards from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), recognizing excellence in member engagement and podcasting. 

AANA was honored in the Member/Volunteer Engagement Campaign category for its Diversity Anesthesia Pathways (DAP) Tour and in the Podcast category for “Grade 1 View,” the podcast for future CRNAs, by future CRNAs. ASAE announced the winners on April 27, and recipients will be recognized during ASAE’s Marketing, Membership, Communications + Tech Conference, May 28-29, in Washington, D.C. 

“AANA is proud to be recognized by ASAE for two initiatives that support the future of the nurse anesthesiology profession,” said Bill Bruce, MBA, CAE, AANA Chief Executive Officer. “The Diversity Anesthesia Pathways Tour opens doors to shared understanding about the profession for undergraduate nursing students, while ‘Grade 1 View’ gives nurse anesthesiology residents a platform to exchange and share guidance, encouragement, and real-world insight. Together, they reflect AANA’s commitment to helping future CRNAs see what is possible in this profession.” 

AANA’s Diversity Anesthesia Pathways Tour was created to introduce undergraduate nursing students—particularly those underrepresented in the nurse anesthesiology profession—to the role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), also known as nurse anesthesiologists. In its inaugural year, the tour brought CRNAs and nurse anesthesiology residents directly to college campuses to educate students about the preparation, requirements, scope of practice, and benefits of becoming a CRNA.  

The tour visited North Carolina Central University, California State University Long Beach, Grambling State University, Chicago State University, and Alcorn State University, giving students the opportunity to learn from CRNAs and residents, ask questions, and participate in a guided, hands-on airway intubation experience. Survey data shows that 70.4% of those students surveyed before the program were unfamiliar or only slightly familiar with nurse anesthesiology, while after the presentation, 100% reported having a better understanding of CRNAs and the profession. 

AANA’s second award recognized “Grade 1 View,” a biweekly, resident-led podcast designed to support future CRNAs during their nurse anesthesiology education. Hosted by first-, second-, and third-year nurse anesthesiology residents, the podcast explores real-life challenges and topics relevant to aspiring and current residents, including work-life balance, study strategies, clinical rotations, professional development, and the emotional side of anesthesia education. “Grade 1 View” is a collaboration between AANA and the “Beyond the Mask” podcast, hosted by Sharon Pearce and Jeremy Stanley. 

Since launching in January 2025, “Grade 1 View” has released 39 episodes, generated more than 32,000 downloads, and built an engaged social media presence with more than 1,300 Instagram followers. 

Together, the two award-winning initiatives reflect AANA’s commitment to supporting the next generation of CRNAs, expanding pathways into the profession, and creating member-driven resources that meet future CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists where they are. 

“The Gold Circle Awards shine a light on the amazing work that associations do for the professions and communities they serve,” said Joe Rominiecki, CAE, chair of the ASAE Gold Circle Awards Committee, in ASAE’s announcement. “Each winning project showcases the creativity and ingenuity that is abundant in marketing, membership, and communications in the association community.” 

For more information about the 2026 Gold Circle Award winners, visit ASAE’s website.