Proclaiming January 18th-24th, 2026, to Be "Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Week" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, January th - th of 2026, has been designed as "National CRNA Week" in order to celebrate and recognize the work of CRNAs across the United States; and

WHEREAS, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are advanced practice registered nurses, who have provided anesthesia care to patients in the United States for more than 150 years, and are among the nation's most trusted professions; and

WHEREAS, Legislation passed by Congress in 1986 made nurse anesthetists the first nursing specialty to be accorded direct reimbursement rights by Medicare; and

WHEREAS, CRNAs are primary anesthesia providers in rural communities and continue to be the primary providers of anesthesia care to U.S. military personnel; and

WHEREAS, CRNAs practice in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered, from traditional hospital surgical suites and obstetrical delivery rooms to critical access hospitals; from ambulatory surgical centers to the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, pain managements specialists and more; and

WHEREAS, CRNAs are qualified to make independent judgments regarding all aspects of anesthesia care based on their education, training, and licensure; and

WHEREAS, CRNAs are trusted anesthesia experts on the frontlines, caring for patients safely and compassionately, delivering specialized, cost-effective care to all patients from newborns to seniors, and for every type of procedure in all types of facilities; and

WHEREAS, CRNAs courageously served on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, and used their advanced skills in airway management, intubation and ventilator management to care for the sickest patients, as well as left their homes and families to travel to hospitals and facilities across the country, in order that they could assist where the need was greatest; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims January 18-24, 2026, to be "Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Week" in Rhode Island and furthermore recognizes the importance of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and nurse anesthesia residents and their role in providing high-quality care for the public; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Association of Nurse Anesthetists (RIANA).