Newswise — PARK RIDGE, IL. – The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) today announced the appointment of Larry Smith, JD, CAE, as chief operating officer (COO) reporting to chief executive officer (CEO) Wanda Wilson, PhD, MSN, CRNA. Smith’s appointment took effect in October 2016.
"I am pleased with the appointment of Larry Smith as COO of the AANA,” said Wilson. “Larry has a wide range of valuable experience gained over the course of 30 years in governance, finance, and law. I am confident that he will make significant contributions to our more than 125 employees and the issues that impact Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), and the patients they serve.”
In his new role Smith will be responsible for overseeing key aspects of the organization’s operations, including membership, publishing, marketing, and communication. Along with Wilson, Smith will be instrumental in carrying out the AANA’s mission of advancing patient safety, practice excellence, and other matters that affect the nurse anesthesia profession.
"AANA has developed a well-deserved reputation for providing patient-centered care, rooted in safety and quality,” said Smith. “I am pleased to join AANA’s talented team, and I look forward to contributing to the association's continued success in the years to come."
Prior to joining the AANA, Smith was the executive director for the American Bar Association Law Practice Division, the Association of Legal Administrators, and the International Practice Management Association. In addition, he holds a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and a juris doctorate from the University of Colorado School of Law in Boulder.
About the American Association of Nurse AnesthetistsFounded in 1931 and located in Park Ridge, Ill., and Washington, D.C., the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is the professional organization representing more than 50,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and student registered nurse anesthetists across the United States. As advanced practice registered nurses and anesthesia specialists, CRNAs administer approximately 43 million anesthetics to patients in the United States each year and are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America. In some states, CRNAs are the sole anesthesia professionals in nearly 100 percent of rural hospitals. For more information, please visit www.aana.com and www.future-of-anesthesia-care-today.com.
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