A Welcome Message from MANA President, Melissa Croad |
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Dear Members,
Welcome to the September 2020 newsletter. As the COVID-19 crisis continues to wreak havoc on all of our daily lives we realize that you are receiving an overwhelming amount of new and constantly changing information. This quarterly newsletter is meant to be informative and up-lifting. We will take a look back on some extraordinary COVID-19 stories, update you on our latest advocacy efforts on Beacon Hill and highlight some CRNA news, people and events.
These past six months have been truly unimaginable. We have served on the frontlines during one of the most historic and important battles in our country's history. You, your families and loved ones have sacrificed and you should be proud. Serving alongside you in this capacity has been one of the greatest honors of my life. As we continue to navigate through unchartered waters, we will stand together for the good our patients and our profession - fighting for the rights and respect CRNAs deserve.
I hope you enjoy the remainder of the summer, and as always please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.
Mask up and stay safe!
In Solidarity,
Melissa
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Melissa Croad on the
front-lines during COVID-19
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COVID-19 CRNA Frontline Heroes |
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Do you have a frontline story to share?
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"I was one of the first CRNAs to float into the COVID ICU. At first, PPE was hard to come by. We were fighting for basic PPE in the endoscopy units to perform upper endoscopies as recommended by the CDC. I constructed my own PPE by using a scuba mask and attaching it to a N99 filter. It was difficult to breathe while wearing it, and it was also difficult for people to hear me. Eventually, I was issued an N95 mask that we were instructed to wear five times before having it reprocessed. I was especially humbled by the bravery and dedication of the RNs and PAs and proud to be on the team."
- Nate Rosario, CRNA, Baystate Health
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"After my wife and I recovered from COVID, I went right back to work treating COVID patients. Our department was assigning CRNAs to the ICU and the OR, as well as increasing the CRNAs working overnight. We intubated patients, placed and trouble shot lines and assisted in proning patients. It was sad to treat patients with no loved ones around. Hopefully, things will continue to get better and our society will get back to "normal". But if it doesn't and we have a spike in cases, I am certain that my colleagues and I will be able to pull together and do a great job for our patients like we always do."
- Mike Storey, CRNA, North Shore Medical Center, and US Dept. HHS Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT)
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"I belong to a group called the Boston African Anesthesia Collaborative. Throughout the pandemic we are sharing best practices bi-directionally to better prepare our environments to COVID. Liberia was the epicenter for the Ebola break out in 2014. The Liberian CRNAs have some experience in dealing with these conditions. We were able to share some of our standard operating procedures, protocols and guidelines with them. Every Wednesday morning we were on a zoom meeting and present real life clinical scenarios around dealing with PUI and COVID positive patients. It has been a very rewarding experience on both sides.
- Donnell Carter, CRNA, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
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"In March I was enrolled in a Doctorate of Nurse Anesthesia program that was disrupted by the pandemic. Uncomfortable with sitting idly by, I returned to my previous place of employment, the ICU at Massachusetts General Hospital, which was converted to a COVID unit. I was working three 12-hour shifts, deep in the trenches of a busy COVID unit in the heart of Boston. I cared for COVID patients with the assistance of a “helper RN” who has been floated from other floors and received a “crash course in ICU basics”. CRNAs are covering the PACUs that have been converted into regular ICUs. It was pretty crazy, but I was happy to be helping."
- Molly Colvin, CRNA, Massachusetts General Hospital
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Legislative Alert and Update |
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We want to thank everyone who took action in late July to help advocate for the rights of CRNAs in the latest Massachusetts Health Care bill. We are still working to have CRNAs included in the final version of the bill that will be sent to Governor Baker for approval.
Be on the lookout for an email next week about how you can easily weigh in and support the rights of CRNAs in the final version of the Health Care Bill! Your voice will be the difference.
Health Care Bill Background and Breakdown
June 25 - The Senate passes its version of the Health Care bill (SB 2796) giving APRNs, including CRNAs, prescriptive practice with certain guidelines.
- Working with MANA members Senate Anne Gobi (Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Middlesex) filed an amendment to SB 2796 to address surprise billing by requiring insurers to cover health care services provided by health care providers who are acting within their scope of practice under state law.
- The amendment was withdrawn.
July 29 - The House passes its version of the Health Care bill (HB 4888) giving some APRNs, but NOT CRNAs, prescriptive practice with certain guidelines.
- Working with MANA leadership Representative Paul Donato and Representative Kay Kahn filed an amendment to the bill and led the fight to include CRNAs.
- Approximately 40 House members signed onto an amendment to include CRNAs in the prescriptive practice provision. This support was a direct result of MANA members' grassroots advocacy with calls and messages to their legislators.
- The amendment was withdrawn.
NOW - Six members of the legislature are working out the difference between the Senate and House Health Care bills to send a final version to Governor Baker. We will be sending an advocacy alert for your participation early next week.
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Worcester Telegram and Gazette highlights the role of UMass Memorial CRNAs during pandemic.
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Former MANA President, Dave MacDonald featured on WBUR:
COVID-19 Front-line diaries show pride and pain for health care workers in the pandemic.
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Lindsay Devers, CRNA recognized by Boston Magazine as having the Best Viral Moment of 2020!
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Introducing "CRNA Spotlight" |
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Do you know a CRNA who deserves to be in the Spotlight?
We have all witnessed CRNAs going above and beyond and we want to shine a light on those special people and efforts!
Email the PR Committee by Nov. 1 at dominicgentile@gmail.com and tell us about a CRNA who deserves to be in the Spotlight and why. It is that simple. The PR committee will consider nominations and contact the CRNA or CRNAs selected for the new CRNA Spotlight section in our next newsletter!
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Congratulations to Crystal Grant, CRNA and Accomplished Author! |
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On Juneteenth, 2020, Crystal Grant, CRNA, released her second book. Originally from Springfield, MA, Grant's latest book is geared towards children, specifically African American boys. It encourages them to pursue careers as a CRNA by utilizing an African American male nurse as the main character.
“The Super CRNA highlights the profession, lets young readers know that superheroes come in all different shades and sizes, and lets boys know they can be nurses too,” Grant said.
Everett Moss II, an African American SRNA, co-authored The Super CRNA. Moss, a Registered Nurse Anesthetist doctoral student at Emory University, serves as the face of Mike.
“Collaborating with Everett to write the introduction and be the "face" of Mike the CRNA is the true definition of representation matters,” Grant said.
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We are seeking your input to help advance our profession!
Deadline is September 14
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We are seeking candidates for the 2020-2022 MANA Board of Directors.
As a volunteer leader you:
- Play a significant role in advancing CRNAs;
- Have an opportunity to enhance the value of MANA and CRNAs;
- Access up-to-date information about what is impacting our profession; and
- Share ideas and perspectives with a diverse group of volunteer leaders.
To nominate yourself or a colleague, click here.
Nominations close September 14, 2020
MANA is seeking three (3) Directors, President-Elect and Secretary positions in this election year.
MANA values and seeks diverse leadership. Candidates should possess positive leadership attributes, emotional intelligence, ability to work collaboratively and engage in appropriate debate and discussion when needed, and visionary and strategic drive.
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Now more than ever emotional health and well-being are dynamic parts of our everyday life. Acquiring skills to remain on the positive side are essential to the health of our personal, professional, and social relationships.
We would like to thank Oliver Rae for his service as the Wellness Committee Chair, in particular his role in getting Wellness Wednesday up and running during the height of COVID-19 crisis.
With Oliver stepping down we are in need of a new Wellness Committee Chair, anyone who is interested please email rclayton@kmgnet.com.
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September 19:
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The New England Assembly of SRNAs Fall Meeting RSVP your name, program and AANA # to secretary@neasrna.org
November 13-15:
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2020 Virtual Leadership Summit Will be held virtual Learn More
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In Memoriam
MANA would like to offer its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the following longtime MANA members who have recently passed away.
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