Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

Airway Exchange – Ep 1 – Three Millers and a Mac

In the premiere episode of Airway Exchange, the new series from AANA and Beyond the Mask, hosts Nickie Damico, Greg Collins, Erin Martin, and Louisa Martin introduce themselves and share the vision for the podcast: to empower educators, inspire students, and build community across the nurse anesthesia profession.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🎙️ New series launch – A podcast created by and for CRNA educators.
👩‍🏫 Meet the hosts – Four faculty members from programs across the country.
🤝 Community building – Keeping the sense of connection alive beyond Congress and EDGE.
🧠 Faculty challenges – Balancing rigor, student wellness, and faculty well-being.
💡 Future focus – Innovative teaching practices, mentorship, and faculty development.
 
Follow @AirwayExchangePodcast on Instagram
Submit a Topic: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/airway-exchange-podcast-request
 
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/airwayexchange
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

From Stigma to Support: 10 Years of Parkdale and CRNA Peer Assistance

Mental health and substance use have been impacting CRNAs and SRNAs, but we’ve come a long way in recognizing and addressing these challenges thanks to organizations like the Parkdale Center for Professionals.
This episode is a powerful one centered on healing, growth, and the critical role of peer support. We’re excited to welcome Linda Stone, DNP, CRNA, peer advisor Jack Stem, and Bridget Petrillo, MS, APRN, CRNA to reflect on 10 years of progress since the founding of the Parkdale Center. They share powerful personal stories of struggle and recovery, the evolution of peer assistance in nurse anesthesia, and how initiatives like the AANA helpline and Parkdale’s 24/7 peer-driven support have become literal lifelines.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
📞 Lifeline moments – How the AANA helpline and Parkdale save lives in critical moments.
🧠 Stigma and recovery – Why openly sharing stories reduces shame and fuels healing.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Peer assistance legacy – The history of CRNAs supporting each other since the 1980s.
🏥 Healthcare-specific care – Why addiction treatment for providers requires unique approaches.
🌟 Celebrating Parkdale – 10 years of profession-specific recovery and wellness support.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact Parkdale here: https://parkdalecenter.com/
 
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate 

Grade 1 View – Ep. 21 – Staying Driven & Ambitious After Becoming a CRNA

Most CRNAs graduate, get a job, and settle into the profession. But Dr. Erik Rauch proves there’s another path—one of leadership, advocacy, and endless opportunity.
In this episode of Grade 1 View, Erik joins hosts Kevin and Charity to share his 17-year journey from clinical CRNA to program director, pain management fellow, MBA graduate, AANA Board of Directors, and now Chief Clinical Officer of a CRNA anesthesia management company. You’ll hear how economics and workforce shifts are creating unprecedented opportunities for CRNAs to practice independently, and why new grads who embrace skills like ultrasound-guided blocks and critical decision-making will be in high demand.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🚀 From teaching to corporate leadership, CRNAs can shape healthcare.
🏥 Rising demand in surgery centers is opening doors for autonomy.
💉 Skills that matter – Ultrasound blocks and independent decision-making set grads apart.
⚖️ Advocacy fights – Insurance reimbursement cuts put hospitals and CRNAs on the frontlines.
🌉 AANA initiatives keep SRNAs connected as they transition to practice.
 
Apply to be on the Grade 1 View Season Two (2026) Host Team!
Applications due November 1, 2025. Applicants must be current CRNA students/residents with a minimum of 12 months remaining in their program.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/g1v-host-application
 
About our guest: https://health.usf.edu/nursing/faculty-staff/directory/esrauch
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/
Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Building a Community for Aspiring CRNAs Through Mentorship

Today’s guest is helping shape the next generations of CRNAs one post, one message, and one connection at a time through his platform, CRNA Mentor. Tyler Anderson, CRNA has ​become ​a ​guiding ​voice ​for ​aspiring ​and ​practicing ​nurse ​anesthetists ​across ​the ​country. In this episode, he shares the story behind the creation of CRNA Mentor, his vision for mentorship in the CRNA community, and how social media is playing a pivotal role in fostering connections.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
🌐 Social Media Impact: Discover how Tyler uses social platforms like TikTok and Facebook to connect with aspiring CRNAs.
💬 Mentorship Matters: Tyler emphasizes the importance of mentorship in shaping the future of CRNAs.
💡 Learning from Experience: The journey to CRNA school isn’t just about the grades, but about gaining the right experience.
 🤝 Building a Community: The CRNA Mentor Facebook group creates a safe space for CRNAs, nursing students, and aspiring CRNAs to connect and share valuable insights.
 🌍 International Reach: Tyler’s CRNA Mentor is helping individuals from all over the world navigate their way into the CRNA field.
Enjoy your Dream List video in the link below and learn why nurse anesthesia is the best career in healthcare! If any or all of these ingredients of the "Dream List" resonate with you, this could be YOUR perfect career path.
https://www.crnamentor.com/dream-list-video/1717 
 
 
About our guest: https://www.crnamentor.com/
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate 

The Five Love Languages for CRNAs in Financial Planning

In the world of financial planning, we often focus on numbers, assets, and strategies, but what about emotions? Just as the concept of "love languages" has helped people understand how to connect with their partners, it can also offer valuable insight into how we approach money management. In this episode, Jeremy and Sharon explain how the five love languages can inform a more compassionate and effective approach to financial planning.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
💖 Acts of Service: Plan for providing for your family, even in retirement.
⏳ Quality Time: Patience and consistency in investing lead to long-term success.
💬 Words of Affirmation: Reassurance from a trusted financial advisor helps manage financial anxiety.
🎁 Gifts: Consider legacy and charitable giving in your financial plan.
🤝 Physical Touch: Build trust and communication in financial partnerships for better outcomes.
 
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate 
Support Team Emma Kate: https://grouprev.com/haloswalk2024-shannon-shannon-brekken

Grade 1 View – Ep. 20 – Strategies for Resident Success & Belonging with Dr. Jorge Valdes

CRNA school is one of the toughest journeys a nurse can take, but success isn’t just about grades and clinical skills. It’s also about wellness, belonging, and support. Today’s guest is a passionate advocate for students in CRNA school and someone you want to listen to if you’ve felt stressed or anxious about the process.
In this episode of Grade 1 View, Olivia sits down with Dr. Jorge Valdes, clinical professor and dean at Florida International University, to talk about what it really takes for SRNAs to thrive. You quickly understand how much he cares about the future of this profession as he shares why community, kindness, and emotional intelligence are just as important as technical training.
Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:
🧠 Testamentary capacity for students – Success requires both knowledge and belonging.
🏃 Wellness matters – Exercise, endorphins, and small celebrations fuel resilience.
💬 Kindness over fear – Students learn better when they feel supported, not intimidated.
👥 Sense of belonging – Community and connection are vital for persistence and success.
🎓 Pay it forward – Preceptors should foster passion, not perpetuate negative experiences.
 
About our guest: https://populationhealth.fiu.edu/jorge-valdes/
 
Apply to be on the Grade 1 View Season Two (2026) Host Team!
Applications due November 1, 2025. Applicants must be current CRNA students/residents with a minimum of 12 months remaining in their program.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/g1v-host-application
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/grade-1-view/
Visit the AANA Resident Hub: https://www.aana.com/resident-hub/ 
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246

Thoracic Anesthesia: Airway, Esophagus, and Mediastinal Mastery with Dr. Melissa Puskac

Thoracic anesthesia is one of the most complex and high-stakes specialties in medicine, where the airway may literally be open on the table, and every breath depends on seamless teamwork.
In this episode of Anesthesia Alchemy, Lynn and Garry welcome Dr. Melissa Puskac, a CRNA and thoracic anesthesia expert, to unpack the challenges and breakthroughs that define this field. From carinal resections and sleeve lobectomies to esophagectomies and mediastinal mass surgeries, Dr. Puskac explains how modern techniques like cross-field ventilation, high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV), and ECMO are transforming survival and recovery.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
 🌬️ Airway mastery
🫁 Carinal & sleeve resections
🥼 Esophagectomy techniques
⚠️ Complications matter
🧠 Collaboration is key
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate 

Catching Up with AANA CEO Bill Bruce at the Annual Congress

The AANA’s Annual Congress just set a new record—over 4,000 CRNAs and SRNAs came together in Nashville for the largest meeting in the association’s history. In this special episode of Beyond the Mask, Bill Bruce, CEO of the AANA, sat down with us in Nashville to ​share ​what's ​happening ​at ​the ​national ​level ​and ​how ​it ​directly ​impacts ​CRNAs ​across ​the ​country.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
📈 Record-breaking Congress – Over 4,000 attendees, the biggest AANA event ever.
👩‍⚕️ Membership growth – Strong retention and 1,700+ RNA PRN student members.
💡 Innovation spotlight – Hackathon, pitch competition, and new “Airway Exchange” podcast.
⚖️ Advocacy updates – Opt-outs, payer discrimination, and federal action around reimbursement.
 
Catch Sharon Live at the 53rd Annual Refresher Course for Nurse Anesthetists!
Join Sharon this November 14–16, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in Walt Disney World Village, Florida, for the Frank Moya Continuing Education Program’s annual conference. She’ll be delivering four insightful talks as part of the guest faculty lineup.
Don’t miss this chance to learn, connect, and recharge—with some Disney magic on the side!
Click here for more details and to register
 
Visit us online: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/
The 1099 CRNA Institute: https://aana.com/1099
Get the CE Certificate here (and directly submit to the NBCRNA): https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
Help us grow by leaving a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-mask-innovation-opportunities-for-crnas/id1440309246
Donate to Our Heart Your Hands here: https://www.ourheartsyourhands.org/donate