Massachusetts Association Of Nurse Anesthetists

The Massachusetts Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA) is the state association of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), advanced practice nurses.  They are dedicated to the professional interests of nurse anesthetists in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The main objective of MANA is  patient safety through the advancement of the science and art of anesthesia, as well as the promotion of cooperation between nurse anesthetists, all medical professionals, hospitals and other agencies interested in anesthesia. MANA is an affiliate of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). Membership in the AANA automatically entitles any CRNA (or SRNA) who chooses Massachusetts for their state affiliation to be member of MANA. It has over 820 members who practice in a variety of settings including being the primary anesthesia providers in most rural areas. Nurse anesthetists have been providing anesthesia care to patients in the United States for nearly 150 years. This association is involved in a variety of activities that advance the practice of anesthesia. The credential CRNA came into existence in 1956. CRNAs are anesthesia professionals who safely administer more than 32 million anesthetics to patients each year in the United States, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) 2010 Practice Profile Survey. CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America, enabling healthcare facilities in these medically underserved areas to offer obstetrical, surgical, and trauma stabilization services. In some states, CRNAs are the sole providers in nearly 100 percent of the rural hospitals. The Massachusetts Association of Nurse Anesthetists had its organizational meeting on May 22, 1940, at the Massachusetts General Hospital in the "Ether Dome" with 27 members present. At the September 15, 1940, meeting it was announced that the Massachusetts Association of Nurse Anesthetists was accepted as an affiliate of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists as of July, 1940. Throughout the war years, the meetings were changed from four per year, to two per year. In 1944 the association hired its first lobbyist, Mr. Ingalls, Atty., to "watch the Bills in the Legislature” for $50.00 per year.