OSANA 2026 Annual Conference: Record Attendance, HB 52 Victory, and a Milestone Year for Ohio CRNAs
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.
A Bigger, Broader OSANA Weekend
This year’s conference welcomed 530 participants, including 142 CRNAs, 206 SRNAs, and 182 RNs. Attendees traveled from across 15 states—Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia—underscoring OSANA’s growing regional and national reach.
Held March 20th through 22nd, the program blended clinical updates, professional development, leadership content, and Ohio Law CE, alongside dedicated RN-to-CRNA sessions, student-led programming, and space to connect with peers, mentors, and employers.
Education, Engagement, and Signature Sessions
From advanced clinical topics to leadership and wellness, the education lineup reflected the depth and versatility of the profession. Sessions ranged from regional anesthesia and enhanced recovery to mentorship, business and professionalism, and rural/global practice perspectives.
The RN to CRNA Track once again stood out as a highlight, with Ohio Program Directors and the OSANA Student Board hosting panels that broke down the admissions process, expectations of training, and what it truly looks like to transition from bedside RN to SRNA. Student poster presentations and SRNA-focused sessions gave trainees the chance to share research, sharpen presentation skills, and build visibility with leaders across the state.
Student Energy, Networking, and PAC Impact
The student presence was felt everywhere—from the College Bowl to the PAC event and RN-focused programming—showcasing the strength of Ohio’s pipeline of future CRNAs. The University of Akron team took home the 2026 College Bowl win, while Youngstown State University claimed bragging rights for the College Bowl hype video contest.
Networking continued beyond the meeting rooms, with an RN Social Hour designed specifically for RNs exploring the CRNA path and a relaxed OSANA PAC event at PINS Mechanical that blended advocacy, fundraising, and fun. The Student Board also hosted a dedicated RN to CRNA panel, creating an approachable space for questions, honest advice, and real talk about the journey to advanced practice.
Honoring Excellence: 2026 Award Recipients
OSANA’s awards ceremony shined a spotlight on educators, students, and CRNAs whose work is shaping the profession in Ohio and beyond.
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2026 Educator of the Year: Brian Garrett, DPN, CRNA, Otterbein University
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2026 Student of the Year: Elizabeth Adams, BSN, SRNA, Cleveland Clinic
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2026 CRNA of the Year: Kathleen Massoli, DNP, CRNA, Cleveland Clinic
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2026 CRNA of the Year: Lynne O’Brien, MSN, CRNA, University of Cincinnati
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2026 Living Legend: Angela Milosh, DNP, CRNA, FAANA
Each honoree reflects OSANA’s core values: clinical excellence, commitment to education, mentorship, leadership, and service to patients and the profession. Their recognition at the conference underscores how deeply CRNAs and SRNAs in Ohio invest in each other—and in the future of anesthesia care.
A Historic Year for Ohio CRNAs
While the conference centered on education and connection, it unfolded against the backdrop of one of the most consequential policy wins in OSANA’s history. On March 10, 2026, Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 52 into law, modernizing Ohio’s anesthesia statutes and replacing outdated, unclear requirements with language that reflects current training, practice standards, and collaborative models of care. The law, which takes effect June 8, 2026, updates how CRNAs practice within anesthesia care teams and brings Ohio in line with the direction of most states across the country.
During the State Government Relations Update, Chuck Tabbert led a toast to the passage of HB 52 and to the years of advocacy that made this milestone possible, with a special shoutout to Representative Kellie Deeter, DNP, CRNA, CNP, for championing the bill at the Statehouse. OSANA leadership echoed that gratitude, recognizing the unified efforts of CRNAs, SRNAs, and partners who wrote letters, met with legislators, and showed up when it mattered.
The significance of this moment was felt throughout the weekend. As AANA President Jeff Molter has noted, modernized CRNA practice laws help preserve access to safe, high-quality anesthesia care—especially in rural and underserved communities—by ensuring CRNAs can practice to the full extent of their education and training within collaborative teams.
Looking Ahead
Each year, CRNAs safely administer tens of millions of anesthetics in the United States, practicing in every setting where anesthesia is delivered—from hospital ORs and obstetric units to ambulatory surgery centers, clinics, and military and federal facilities.
Whether you are a CRNA, an SRNA, or an RN considering the nurse anesthesia path, the OSANA Annual Conference continues to be one of the most strategic conferences you can attend if you plan to practice in Ohio. From the hallway conversations and panels to legislative updates and live award recognitions, it is where Ohio’s anesthesia community comes together to learn, celebrate, and lead—now backed by a modernized practice law that reflects the vital role CRNAs play in today’s healthcare system.
