VANA Legislative Updates
This September 26-28, VANA hosted its Annual Fall Conference to reconnect with fellow CRNAs, hold its annual Business Meeting, and hear from cutting-edge lecturers on topics of critical importance to the practice of nurse anesthesia.
At the conference, VANA was joined by Delegate Willett to accept the 2025 Legislative Hero Award. Also receiving the award was Senator Suetterlein, who accepted it ahead of the Fall Conference at his office in Roanoke. VANA is grateful to both Senator Suetterlein and Delegate Willett for their work and commitment to VANA.
VANA is excited to introduce a new slate of leaders for 2026. The newly elected VANA leaders are:
- President: Jessica Ray, DNP, CRNA
- Past President: Derek Owens, DrAP, CRNA
- President-Elect: Cristopher Simons, CRNA, DNAP
- Vice President: Caruso, CRNA
- Treasurer: Bridget Wolfe, CRNA
- District 1 Director: Jonathan Cotton, DHA, CRNA
- District 2 Director: Amene Amanpour, MS, CRNA
- Districts 3 & 4 Director: Jaclyn Miller, DNP, CRNA
- District 5 Director: Adrienne Wass, DNP, CRNA
And our 2026 committee chairs include:
- AANA Foundation Advocate: Cathy Harrison, DNAP, CRNA, MSN
- Communications: Sarah Lazcano, DNAP, CRNA
- CRNA PAC: Kristopher Bosque, CRNA
- Education & Programs: Karen Gillikin, DNP, CRNA
- Finance: Bridget Wolfe, CRNA
- Government Relations: GRC Director, Meredith Joyner, MBA, MSNA, CRNA, FAANA and Cathy Harrison, DNAP, CRNA, MSN
- Leadership Development:
- Kelli Kessler, MSN, CRNA – District 1
- Jennifer McPherson, DNP, CRNA, CHSE – District 2
- Nickie Damico, PhD, CRNA, FAANA – District 5
- Peer Assistance: George Antonio, CRNA
- Health & Wellness: Amanda Fenn, CRNA
- VANA Federal Political Director: Shannon Noffsinger, DNAP, CRNA
- State Reimbursement Specialist: Howard Goodwin, DNAP, CRNA, CHSE
Interested in joining a committee? Learn more at https://virginiacrna.org/committees/ or reach out to one of our committee chairs!
