Update – VANA Statement on Recent Violent Rhetoric
Posted 1.29.26
“The Virginia Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (VANA) is aware of the online reports regarding an employee at VCU Health who made threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. VCU Health has terminated the employee following its review of the incident.
“VANA unequivocally condemns violent rhetoric or threats of violence in any form, and we do not condone such behavior by any healthcare professional. Nurse anesthetists are entrusted with the critical responsibility of delivering safe, high-quality anesthesia care to patients. This duty demands a commitment to professionalism, ethical conduct, and a focused, calm presence in the operating room and all clinical settings.
“As a result of this conduct, the individual’s membership in VANA has been revoked, and she has no affiliation with our organization. VANA is a professional membership organization and does not credential CRNAs or play any role in licensure, certification, or decisions about who is permitted to practice in Virginia. CRNAs play a vital role in healthcare teams across Virginia, and our members are expected to uphold the highest standards of patient safety, professional integrity, and ethical behavior.
“VANA supports the rights of individuals to engage in civic discourse and peaceful advocacy. However, violence or threats of violence have no place in our profession or in the communities we serve, and such conduct is fundamentally incompatible with the responsibilities entrusted to nurse anesthetists.”
