News

The 2026 Annual Meeting will include a full day of programming on Saturday, October 10.  This year's meeting will be held at Chase Center on the Riverfront in Wilmington, DE, and feature special guest and keynote speaker, AANA CEO William "Bill" Bruce, MBA, CAE!

The purpose of the meeting is to present topics specific to the discipline of anesthesia along with clinical knowledge updates for nurse anesthetists. Lectures are led by experts in their field, and opportunities for discussion and questions will be provided. Registration includes the conference sessions, breakfast, lunch, and refreshments on Saturday.

Interested in being a meeting sponsor or exhibitor? Click here.

AGENDA

This event may provide up to 7 MAC Ed CE Credits.

7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
Registration, Breakfast, and Exhibits

7:30 - 8:00 a.m.
DANA Business Meeting (DANA Members Only)

Ron Castaldo, Ph.D., MBA, MS, CRNA, APRN, FAANA

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
President’s Report, Lobbyist & State Update, AANA Foundation Update, and DANA-PAC Update 

R. Castaldo, Ph.D., MBA, MS, CRNA, APRN, FAANA

Chris Dipietro

Barbara Bradbury, MSN, CRNA, APRN, CCRN

Carrie Kenney, DNP, CRNA, FNP-BC, APRN, CPAN

9:00 - 9:15 a.m.
Break & Networking with Exhibitors

9:15 - 10:15 a.m.
Keynote Session 

Bill Bruce, AANA President, MBA, CAE

10:15 - 11:15 a.m.

Active Shooter Preparedness 
Det. Daniel Blomquist

11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Luncheon

12:15 - 1:15 p.m.

Lifestyle and Medicine

Dr. Kristine Larocca, D.O. 

 

1:15 - 2:15 p.m.

AI in Anesthesia 
Kristen Simmons DNP, CRNA, CHSE

2:15 - 2:30 p.m.

Break and Networking with Exhibitors

2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Pediatric Pearls and Best Practices 
Lauren Brown, DNP, CRNA, CNE 

3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

PTSD Case Study 
Matthew Zinder, DNAP, CH, CRNA

4:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks
B. Bradbury, MSN, CRNA, APRN, CCRN

On Wednesday, March 26, 2026, the Delaware Association of Nurse Anesthetists (DANA) and Heron Therapeutics hosted an educational dinner for DANA members. Members gathered at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill to meet, enjoy dinner and beverages, and listen to a clinical presentation on the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting with APONVIE.

DANA member Barbara Evans, CRNA, commented, "I enjoy DANA-sponsored events like this. We get to socialize with friends outside of work, have a nice meal, and learn about new medications or changes in anesthesia practice." Part of the DANA mission is to provide educational opportunities to its members; for more events like this, be sure to monitor the DANA events page for updates.

 

The session was led by speaker Ronak G. Desai, DO, the executive vice chair of Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. At the event, he explained the benefits, safety information, and other information about the injectable emulsion drug. The event, including presentation, food, and beverage, was also generously sponsored by Heron Therapeutics, represented at the event by Mike Valente.

The Delaware Association of Nurse Anesthetists Bylaws Committee is proposing a change in the organizational structure of our bylaws regarding the composition of our Board of Directors.  The Bylaw Committee recommends that DANA formally transition the role of Board Secretary to an "at-large" Director position. This change would occur for the 2026 - 2027 term.

This change would allow for greater flexibility in our leadership and operations. The duties previously handled by the Secretary are and have been handled by our association management company. Instituting the change would free up a valuable seat for a Director who could contribute to our strategic vision without being tied to a specific administrative function without needing to add to the number of board members.

We believe this adjustment will enhance our collective ability to respond to future challenges and opportunities. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at office@delawareana.org.

Pursuant to DANA bylaws, eligible DANA may vote vote on the proposed amendments at the DANA Annual Meeting in Rehoboth Beach Delaware October 10-12, 2025.

Click here to view the redline proposed changes.

Delaware patients now have increased access to safe, affordable anesthesia care. The state is the latest to opt out from federal regulations that require physician supervision of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs).

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Delaware Gov. John Carney wrote, “I attest that I have consulted with the Delaware Board of Nursing and Board of Medicine about issues related to access to and the quality of anesthesia services in Delaware. I have concluded that it is in the best interests of Delaware citizens to opt-out of the current physician supervision requirement, as provided in the federal regulations, and that the opt-out is consistent with Delaware law. This letter constitutes my formal notification of the State of Delaware opt-out.”

The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) reports that the governors of 24 states and Guam have exercised such exemptions for either full or partial opt-out.

“Gov. Carney’s action ensures Delaware’s patients have access to value-based, high-quality care and optimizes healthcare teams by removing barriers and allowing healthcare facilities to maximize their workforce,” said Marshall Colbert, CRNA, president of Delaware Association of Nurse Anesthetists (DANA). “Through this action Delaware recognizes that CRNAs are qualified to make decisions regarding all aspects of anesthesia care based on their education, licensure, and certification.”

“AANA and the DANA applaud Gov. Carney for recognizing the important role CRNAs have in delivery of safe anesthesia care in Delaware,” said AANA President Angela Mund, DNP, CRNA. “Increased demand, limited resources, and a state with a diverse population, both urban and rural, dictate that a system capable of meeting the needs of Delaware residents be maintained. By signing the opt-out letter, this has been achieved.”

CRNAs provide all aspects of superior anesthesia throughout Delaware. Nationally, CRNAs safely administer more than 50 million anesthetics to patients each year working in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered. CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural settings, enabling facilities in these medically underserved areas to offer obstetrical, surgical, pain management, and trauma stabilization services. CRNAs have full practice authority in the Army, Navy, and Air Force and are the predominant provider of anesthesia on forward surgical teams and in combat support hospitals.

As advanced practice registered nurses, CRNAs are members of one of the most trusted professions according to Gallup.

AANA Fact Sheet Concerning State Opt-Outs