AUSTIN, TEXAS – Showcasing the diversity of the state of Texas and the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) profession, the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TxANA) announced its new Board of Directors.
The new board takes office as the association, representing more than 5,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in Texas, is celebrating its 48th anniversary.
“TxANA and our members are working to ensure every Texan has access to high-quality, cost-effective anesthesia care,” said Board President James Stockman, MSNA, CRNA, NSPM-C. “From our local communities caring for our patients to the halls of the Capitol, TxANA is focused on advancing patient safety and fostering a strong profession for the CRNAs of today and tomorrow. Our new board reflects the diversity of our state and our profession.”
The 2022-2023 TxANA Board of Directors are:
• President: James Stockman, MSNA, CRNA, NSPM-C (Nacogdoches)
• President-Elect: Amy Blok, DNP, CRNA, CHSE (Lexington)
• Vice President: Wendy Odell, DNP, CNRA (Southlake)
• Secretary/Treasurer: Tessa R. Guevara, CRNA (Arlington)
• Director: Kelechi Ekejiuba, DNP, CRNA, MPH (Richmond)
• Director: Jessica Gaines, DNP, CNRA (Houston)
• Director: Brant Grundy, DNP, CNRA (Houston)
• Director: Susan Flores Hukill, DNAP, MSNA, CRNA (Kyle)
• Director: Troy Stevens, DNP, CRNA (Belton)
• Director: Mark Talon, MSN, DNP, CRNA (Hitchcock)
CRNAs are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who specialize in anesthesia care and who safely administer more than 50 million anesthetics to patients each year in the United States, including Texas. CRNAs practice in every setting where anesthesia care is delivered: the military, hospitals, obstetrical delivery rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, physician’s offices, and pain management.
TxANA, headquartered in Austin, was founded on August 9, 1974, and represents more than 5,000licensed CRNAs throughout the state.
Texas currently is home to five CRNA programs, including:
• Army Center Program for Anesthesia Nursing,
• Baylor College of Medicine, Graduate Program in Nurse Anesthesia,
• Texas Christian University School of Nurse Anesthesia,
• Texas Wesleyan University, Graduate School of Nurse Anesthesia,
• Cizik School of Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center Houston (UTHealth) - Nurse Anesthesia Division
The state is well positioned to increase access to anesthesia services and support the education and professional development of the next generation of nurse anesthesia providers.
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About TxANA
Advancing patient safety and the profession of nurse anesthesia, the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TxANA) was founded on Aug. 9, 1974. Its goals include facilitating cooperation between nurse anesthetists and the health care profession, hospitals, healthcare providers, and other agencies interested in anesthesia. The membership is limited to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Nurse Anesthesia Students who are members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).
Nurses were the first professional group to specialize in and provide anesthesia services in the United States in the 1880s. Today there are over 59,000 CRNAs practicing throughout the United States, of which more than 5,000 are located in Texas. CRNAs are advanced practice nurses registered by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). CRNAs must hold a current state license as a registered nurse, graduate from an approved educational program, successfully complete the certification examination and comply with continuing education requirements for recertification. Learn more at www.txana.org.
