# Press release April 9, 2026 AANA to Induct New CRNA Leaders at Annual Congress in Boston Rosemont, Ill. – The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) announced that it has selected 42 new distinguished leaders in the nurse anesthesiology profession as candidates to be inducted into the 2026 Class of Fellows. The inductees will be honored for their significant contributions to the profession at the AANA Annual Congress on Aug. 21-25, in Boston, Massachusetts. The newest Fellows are highly accomplished experts across policy, research, administration, practice, and academia. In addition, they are champions of health and wellness for their patients and the profession. Selected through a highly competitive and rigorous application process, each Fellow has at least 10 years of professional experience as a nurse anesthesiology practitioner, educator, facility leader, or researcher. In addition, they have demonstrated outstanding achievements in nurse anesthesiology and leadership that command respect and recognition from other leaders in the profession. Their impactful contributions demonstrate professional and personal growth through innovative and creative solutions within and outside the profession. These candidates will join nearly 300 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), also known as nurse anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists, who have the distinction of being Fellows. “The newest class of AANA Fellows represents a remarkable commitment to advancing nurse anesthesiology through leadership and service,” said Dan Lovinaria, DNP, MBA, APRN, CRNA, CHSE, FNAP, FAAN, FAANA, Fellows Selection Committee Chair. “Their expertise and contributions are driving progress across healthcare—informing policy, improving patient outcomes, and, most importantly, expanding the impact of CRNAs nationwide. We are proud to recognize these individuals for their dedication and the lasting influence they bring to patients, communities, and the profession.” AANA appreciates the dedicated work of the organization’s Fellows Selection Committee for their rigorous review of this year’s applications. As advanced practice registered nurses, CRNAs have critical care experience and practice in every setting anesthesia is delivered. CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural and underserved areas and on the battlefield in forward surgical teams. To learn more about AANA and its Fellows, visit http://www.aana.com/membership/faana. 2026 AANA Fellows Inductee Candidates Michael Anderson, DNP, CRNA, ARNP Suzanne Ariza, PhD, CRNA, CCRN, PMGT-BC Bonjo Batoon, MS, CRNA Don Boyd, PhD, MS, CRNA Katie Cole, DNP, CRNA, CHSE Megan Conner, PhD, CRNA Raymond Devlin, DNP, CRNA Rachel Edgerton, DNAP, MSNA, CRNA, APRN, CHSE Melissa Eisenhauer, DNP, CRNA, APRN, CNE Hope Simone Ferguson, DNP, MSN, MBA, BSN, ADN, APN, CRNA, Commander (CDR) Stephen Flaherty, PhD, CRNA Shayne Hauglum, PhD, CRNA, APRN Crystal Hunnicutt, DNAP, CRNA, CNE Leslie Ann Jeter, DNP, MS, CRNA Allison Jones, DNAP, MSN, CRNA, APRN, CNE Wesley Karcher, MSN, CRNA Steven Kertes, DNP, CRNA Robert Laird, BSN, CRNA Louisa Martin, PhD, CRNA Kirsten Meister, DNP, CRNA Thorbjorn Persson, LTC, DNAP, CRNA Guy Picard, DNP, CRNA, APRN Randy Quinn, DNAP, CRNA Cora Rabe, DNP, CRNA, MSN, CHSE, CPHQ, CNE Kennett Radford, PhD, MS, CRNA Lee Ranalli, DNP, CRNA Mary Scott-Herring, DNP, MS, CRNA Junior Senat, DNP, CRNA, APRN Janet Setnor, MSN, CRNA, Col. (Ret), USAFR, NC Scott K Shaffer, DNAP, CRNA Kristen Simmons, DNP, CRNA, CHSE Jenna Steege, DNP, CRNA, APRN Jessica Szydlowski, DNP, CRNA, ACNP, CHSE Jennifer Thompson, DNP, CRNA Kisha Thompson, PhD, CRNA, MAJ, USAR (Ret.) Denise H. Tola, DNP, CRNA, CHSE John Welch, DNP, MS, CRNA, FAAN Nancy Ann Westbrook, DNP, MSNA, CRNA, FNP, COL (Ret) USAF/R Ronald Whorton, MNA, CRNA Terri Williams, DNAP, CRNA, APRN Kenneth A. Wofford, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAWM Sarah Jingying Zhang, PhD, CRNA Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Share Print