Today, Kristen Roman, DNAP, CRNA, President of the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (CANA), issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s interim guidance recognizing eligible graduate nursing programs as professional degree programs for federal student loan purposes:
Today, Kristen Roman, DNAP, CRNA, CANA President, issued the following statement in response to the June 24, 2026, court order temporarily blocking the U.S. Education Department’s rule, which was set to go into effect on July 1.
Today, Kristen Roman, DNAP, CRNA, President of the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (CANA), issued the following statement responding to the lawsuit filed May 19, 2026 by a coalition of 24 attorneys general, including Attorney General Bonta, and the governors of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.
Now signed into law, AB 876 (Flora, 2025) re-affirmed CRNAs’ long-standing legal authority to deliver anesthesia care independently. By strengthening the Nurse Anesthetist Act, AB 876 increases access to essential anesthesia services across the state. Watch the recording from our webinar in January 2026 to get the facts from the bill’s author Asm. Heath Flora, Katherine A. Bowles, RN, Esq., sponsor, and other key stakeholders. Hosted by the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.
The 2026 California Rural Health Care Symposium brought together legislators, health care leaders, and frontline providers for a day of meaningful dialogue focused on improving access to care, strengthening the rural health workforce, and advancing health equity across California. Through expert panels and cross-sector discussion, the symposium highlighted practical, policy-driven solutions to support rural communities and the patients who rely on them.
California legislators and stakeholders are invited to this free educational event on Jan. 21, 2026 to examine rural healthcare delivery in California, with a focus on access to anesthesia care, workforce sustainability, and policy strategies that strengthen health equity in underserved communities.
Congratulations to Dr. Mark Gabot, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia faculty member, for being the first CRNA to be published in the American Society of Echocardiography’s ‘Echo’ magazine. His article “The Expanding Role of CRNAs in Perioperative Focused Cardiac Ultrasound: Education, Implementation, and Impact” is linked here.
CANA is proud to announce the success of the inaugural Western Summit for Nurse Anesthesiology, hosted by CANA in collaboration with Western AANA State Associations. Held in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 3-5, 2025, the Summit convened nearly 1,000 attendees, including Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Nurse Anesthesia Residents (NARs), and Registered Nurses (RNs) from 13 participating state associations.
Today, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 876 (Flora) into law, reaffirming Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists’ (CRNAs) essential role in the state’s health care system.
Today, Emily Francke, CRNA, President of the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (CANA), issued the following statement in response to the California Legislature passing AB 876 (Flora) with strong, bipartisan support.