Saturday, August 3, 2024 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM PST
Location: CC – Lower Level – Hall B

Together again! Join your fellow CRNAs and RRNAs in San Diego — and watching online nationwide — as we kick-start Annual Congress with a renewed focus that will inspire our association’s future.

We’ll also recognize the following award winners during this event: Clinical Instructor of the Year Award, Didactic Instructor of the Year Award, Program Director of the Year Award, New 1983 Society Members, New Friends for Life, Rita L. LeBlanc Philanthropist of the Year Award, John F. Garde Researcher of the Year Award, Honorary Membership, Ira P. Gunn Award for Outstanding Professional Advocacy, Alice Magaw Outstanding Clinical Practitioner Award, Helen Lamb Outstanding Educator Award, and the Agatha Hodgins Award for Outstanding Accomplishment.

Location TBD 

The 2024 AANA Business Meeting will be held as a Hybrid event with both in-person and online participation at the San Diego Convention Center. A quorum of 200 people representing 25 states is required to conduct the business meeting. The meeting will be live streamed for residents and other non-voting members not in attendance. The link for viewing will be available on the day of the event.  

Further details about the August Business Meeting content and how to participate in the hybrid event will be available in July. 

Location TBD

Ticket cost: $125

Celebrate colleagues making a lasting impact in the profession at our all-new AANA Awards Luncheon. Featuring the past year’s top volunteers, educators, elected leaders, newly minted Fellows, and prominent advocates, you’re sure to know some CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist famous names to congratulate — and network with — at this elegant plated lunch.

Purchase your ticket during Annual Congress registration.

USS MIDWAY | 910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego 

AANA will welcome attendees to San Diego with a celebration so big, only an aircraft carrier could hold it. Join us at Party with a Purpose, where we’ll kick off Annual Congress with music, food, drinks … and a few surprises. 

Our event will benefit Zero8Hundred, a nonprofit organization in San Diego that helps thousands of service members and their families as they transition from military to civilian life. Bring one or more requested items from the list below, and an AANA staff member will exchange them for up to two drink tickets to use at the reception. 

THE BASICS: Shampoo | Conditioner | Soap | Dry Shampoo | Socks | Razors | Toothbrush | Toothpaste | T-shirts | Baby Wipes 

WELLNESS KITS: Stress Balls | Journals | Relaxation Guides 

San Diego Convention Center – Room 6A

Join the HCA Healthcare Anesthesia Services team for a lunch, learn, and networking event. This event will provide you with a great opportunity to learn when and where to start your career search; connect with healthcare professionals and gain access to the following resources:

• Complimentary CV Review Sessions (By Appointment Only)
• Mock Interview Sessions (By Appointment Only)
• Career Planning Kits
• Compensation Data

RSVP Here

San Diego Convention Center – Room 4

Clinical Education Coordinator Amanda Virginia, DNP-A, CRNA is a board-certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Amanda completed her undergraduate degree in nursing at Texas Woman’s University in Dallas, TX and then earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice – Anesthesia from Texas Christian University School of Nurse Anesthesia in Fort Worth, Texas. She has worked as a Clinical Education Coordinator for 9 years and provides anesthesia services to patients in several specialty areas, including cardiovascular thoracic anesthesia and microlaryngology. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and Society of Simulation in Healthcare.

San Diego Convention Center – Lower Level – Hall B

Join us for the 35th anniversary of the Anesthesia College Bowl. Six teams of residents play each other, answering questions about anesthesia submitted by nurse anesthesia program directors. The winning resident team faces off against a team of six CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists to determine the ultimate winner of the College Bowl. 

Virtual attendees will be able to view the exciting live-stream event but cannot participate physically. 

How to participate: 

CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists: Apply to be on the CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist Challenge Team. 

Program administrators: Nominate up to two residents to compete on the resident teams. 

Residents: Use this College Bowl Nomination Template to ask your Program Admin to nominate you. 

All College Bowl applications and nominations are due May 3, 2024.

Thank you to our sponsors.
Round 1 Supported by: Envision Healthcare
Round 2 Supported by: MedPro
Round 3 Supported by: Main St. Anesthesia
Round 5 Supported by: U.S. Army

San Diego Convention Center – Room 6A/B

Be sure to register for the Anesthesia College Bowl Reception with Envision Healthcare in order to receive an exclusive wristband for “no-wait” access at the reception. Space is limited.

Register here

Sponsored by:  Envision Healthcare

Location TBD 

New to AANA? New to Annual Congress? Join us to connect with other newbies and build your AANA community! Chat with AANA leaders and staff to learn more about Annual Congress. Light refreshments will be served. 

Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego – Room TBD
Semi-Formal/Formal Attire 

Join us for an unforgettable evening at AANA Foundation’s Champagne Gala in Honor of Lorraine Jordan! Indulge in an evening of elegance, featuring drinks, a delectable dinner, and captivating entertainment. Raise a glass to celebrate the remarkable career of our esteemed colleague and friend after 36+ years of dedicated service to AANA. Proceeds support the Lorraine Jordan Legacy Fund dedicated to advancing health policy research that underscores the safety and effectiveness of CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists. Reserve your seat today and be a part of this meaningful event that celebrates Dr. Jordan’s impactful contributions and supports our shared mission and values.  

Add this fundraising event for $250/ticket to your agenda when you register to attend live in San Diego. 

San Diego Convention Center – Room 4

Speaker: Patrick S. Shay, Sr., RN, CRNA, MSN, PHRN, EMT-P

Speaker Bio: Mr. Shay has over 10 years of experience as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) for the Department of Anesthesiology and a Staff Development instructor at UPMC Health Systems. He also has over 30 years EMS experience as an Advanced Life Support (ALS) level provider, serving as a Paramedic, Flight Nurse, field supervisor, line officer, preceptor, and instructor. He is a Pennsylvania EMS education sponsor and lead instructor for Harrisburg Area Community College Paramedic and Prehospital RN programs and lectures extensively as a subject matter expert on basic, advanced, and difficult airway management.

Event Description:
Are you interested in learning about video laryngoscopy, and hearing what your peers have to say? If yes, save your seat for a unique gathering during AANA featuring an expert-led review of the evidence followed by an interactive peer-to-peer discussion. Here’s what you can expect when you register:

• Evidence review: Listen to a short educational session on the latest research around first-pass intubation success, patient safety, and video laryngoscopy
• Peer insights: Share your perspective and gain insight into the experiences of other CRNAs
• Ask me anything: Get answers from clinician experts in an interactive discussion
• Lunch will be provided

Seating is limited to 30 participants, so reserve your spot today.

San Diego Convention Center – Upper Level – Foyer

Event Description:

San Diego Convention Center – Upper Level, Sails Pavilion

Supported by AANA Insurance Services

Cheer on nurse anesthesiology innovators as they pitch their unique ideas on our profession’s largest stage. The Rm8 iNov8 Pitch Competition gives CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists a chance to build their business with Rm8, AANA’s innovation lab. Five entrepreneurs will go head-to-head for the $15,000 prize with original concepts that enhance patient safety, patient outcomes, or provider experience.

(Rm8 iNov8 Pitch Competition official rules)

San Diego Convention Center – Lower Level – Hall B

To learn more about a CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist career in Army Medicine stop by Booth 201 or meet us outside the “Army Anesthesia: Being All You Can Be” session on Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 12:45 to 2 pm.

Location: Exhibit Hall

Collect ALL stamps on your passport (found in your registration bag) from participating exhibitors. Then, bring your completed passport to AANA Connect in the Exhibit Hall to be entered for a chance to win an Apple iPad! 

All Annual Congress attendees are welcome to participate.