The Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) continues its mission to advance nurse anesthesiology through excellence in education, advocacy, knowledge, and member empowerment. As President Kim Riviello, DNP, MBA, CRNA, concludes her term and leadership transitions to Nicholas Farinacci, DNP, CRNA, we take a moment to reflect on a year of meaningful progress for the profession. 

Shari Harrison, DNP, CRNA, of Cleveland Clinic volunteers with the Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) to help support and encourage future Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). Her experience demonstrates why CRNA mentorship and professional outreach matter: connecting students and aspiring CRNAs with those already in the profession can provide encouragement, build community and help strengthen the next generation of nurse anesthetists. 

Every time a CRNA sets up a table in a high school gymnasium or a college fair hall, something quietly powerful happens. A student who may have never met a nurse anesthetist, who may not even know the profession exists, suddenly sees one. That single conversation can be the moment a future career begins.

Ohio CRNAs make their voices heard on Capitol Hill and bring home national recognition.

What a week it was. The Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists is proud to share that OSANA has been presented with the Excellence in State Government Relations Advocacy Award at the AANA Mid-Year Assembly in Washington, D.C. We are honored, humbled, and so deeply grateful for this recognition.

This award is presented annually by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology to one state association whose work in the state legislative or regulatory arena has meaningfully advanced the nurse anesthesiology profession. To be selected for this honor is a reflection not of any one person's effort, but of the collective dedication of an entire community of CRNAs across Ohio who refuse to sit on the sidelines when it comes to protecting our profession and our patients.

With more than 500 attendees, the 2026 OSANA Annual Conference at the Hilton Columbus at Easton embodied the spirit of the organization and the strength of the nurse anesthesia profession in Ohio. The weekend featured robust educational sessions, student presentations, and RN-to-CRNA programming, capped by the College Bowl and a government relations update celebrating the passage of House Bill 52.

National CRNA Week honors the more than 75,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and nurse anesthesiology residents who provide safe, compassionate anesthesia care across the United States. Each year, OSANA proudly joins this national celebration, recognizing the extraordinary skill, dedication, and life-saving impact CRNAs have on patients and communities every single day.  

The stage is set for the 2026 OSANA Conference and this year we are looking forward to laughing our way through the event with CRNA and Comedian (yes, that’s the combo) Jon Holmer. We recently caught up with Jon to get the vibe he’s bringing and a little about him.

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to look back at what an incredible year it has been for Ohio CRNAs and SRNAs. Let’s explore our highlights and most memorable moments in our OSANA Recap. 

The Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) continues its mission to advance nurse anesthesiology through excellence in education, advocacy, knowledge, and member empowerment. As the association welcomes a new president, we reflect with gratitude on the leadership of outgoing President Nicholas Farinacci, DNP, CRNA and look forward with anticipation to the vision of incoming President Kim Riviello, DNP, MBA, CRNA.

Ohio’s Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are trusted providers of safe, high-quality anesthesia care. But their impact doesn’t stop at the operating room door. Across the state, members of the Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists (OSANA) are making a difference in meaningful ways by volunteering their time, skills, and compassion to uplift families and strengthen communities.