Preliminary Agenda
Friday | Saturday | Sunday

Friday, September 25, 2026

REGISTRATION
3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 

Registration Desk Open

EXHIBITORS/SPONSORS
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Exhibit Hall Set-Up

EXHIBITORS/SPONSORS
4:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. 

Exhibit Hall Open

GENERAL SESSION
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Environmental Impact of Anesthesia
Speaker: 
Jacob Bonnema, DNP, APRN-CRNA

This session examines the environmental impact of inhaled anesthetic agents, highlighting their role as potent greenhouse gases. Participants will compare the global warming potential and atmospheric lifetimes of commonly used agents and explore practical strategies to evaluate and reduce the environmental footprint of their clinical practice.

GENERAL SESSION
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.                                             

Applying Trauma-Informed Principles in Obstetric Anesthesia
Speaker: Katie Porter, DNP, CRNA

This lecture will discuss the scope of trauma amongst the general population and within the perinatal population, the potential consequences of unaddressed trauma, and how to recognize trauma activation in the labor and delivery setting. Additionally, it will examine how to apply trauma-informed communication and modify procedures to reduce re-traumatization. Finally, it will address the role of the CRNA in providing trauma-informed care.

NETWORKING 
6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.  

Welcome Reception With Exhibitors

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Saturday, September 26, 2026

REGISTRATION
7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Registration Desk Open

NETWORKING
7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Exhibit Hall Open

NETWORKING
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. 

Breakfast With Exhibitors 

GENERAL SESSION
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

MAC: Next Generation Certification
Speaker: John Preston, DNSc, CRNA, APRN, FAANA, FNAP, FAAN

This session will discuss the benefits of longitudinal assessment in maintaining knowledge and skills as a clinical practitioner. The differences between the new NBCRNA Longitudinal Assessment (LA) and traditional CE programs and the older CPC program will be discussed. There will be time for Q&A.

GENERAL SESSION
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Anesthesia In Austere Environments:
Lessons from the Battlefield

Speaker: Aric Baudek, MSN, CRNA

This session provides civilian anesthesia providers with a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practice of anesthesia delivery in austere and resource-limited environments. Drawing from nearly 25 years of active duty service and multiple combat deployments, Captain Baudek offers a unique operational perspective on delivering safe, effective anesthesia care when conventional resources are unavailable or severely limited. Attendees will explore the pharmacological considerations essential to austere anesthesia practice, including commonly utilized anesthetic agents, analgesics, and adjunct medications employed in forward operating environments. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of the Walking Blood Bank (WBB) program and the use of whole blood in damage control resuscitation, including indications, collection protocols, compatibility screening, and administration considerations for the anesthesia provider.

NETWORKING
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Refreshment Break With Exhibitors 

GENERAL SESSION
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

COANA Business Meeting

NETWORKING
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Networking Lunch

GENERAL SESSION
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

AANA Update
Speaker: Greg Collins, DNP, CRNA, AANA Director Region 5

GENERAL SESSION
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. 

CRNA Employment Structures: The Structural, Financial and Risk Considerations of W-2 Employment vs. Independent Contractor (Locum Tenens)
Speaker: James Lee, CPA

The session will examine the structural, financial, and risk differences between W-2 employment and independent contractor (locum tenens) specific to the CRNA profession. The discussion will cover compensation mechanics, in-depth tax analysis, retirement planning strategies, benefits valuation, and risk and compliance considerations. Attendees will gain a decision-making framework to evaluate which arrangement aligns with their risk tolerance, income goals, and long-term financial and retirement strategies.

GENERAL SESSION
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

High Flow Nasal Oxygen in Anesthesia Practice: Evidence, Applications, and Clinical Pearls
Sponsored by: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Inc
Speaker: Amanda Virginia, DNP-A, CRNA

This session will review the physiologic mechanisms and current evidence supporting high-flow nasal oxygenation in anesthesia practice. Participants will explore indications and perioperative applications, including apneic oxygenation, monitored anesthesia care, and airway management. Final discussions will include clinical pearls, safety considerations, and implementation strategies for high-flow nasal oxygen.

NETWORKING
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Refreshment Break With Exhibitors

GENERAL SESSION
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 
 

Fasting Isn't What it Used to Be: GLP-1 Agonists and the Modern Preop
Speakers: Christian R. Falyar, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA and Nicolette Hooge, DNP, MBA, CRNA, FAANA

This session provides a comprehensive overview of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, focusing on their clinical indications, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and key patient management considerations. Participants will explore how these medications influence perioperative care, with particular attention to the relevance and limitations of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) fasting guidelines in patients receiving GLP-1 therapy. The session will also introduce the use of point-of-care gastric ultrasound as a practical tool to assess both the volume and nature of gastric contents, enhancing risk stratification and clinical decision-making. Through case-based discussion and applied examples, learners will gain a deeper understanding of integrating pharmacologic knowledge with procedural safety strategies.

GENERAL SESSION
5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Cut to the Chase: Guide to Successful Cricothyrotomy
Speakers: Christian R. Falyar, DNAP, CRNA, FAANA and Nicolette Hooge, DNP, MBA, CRNA, FAANA

This session focuses on the rapid recognition and management of airway emergencies requiring front-of-neck access. Participants will review the updated American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Difficult Airway Algorithm, with emphasis on decision-making in “can’t intubate, can’t oxygenate” scenarios. The session will highlight key anatomical landmarks critical for cricothyroidotomy and explore both traditional and ultrasound-guided techniques for accurate identification of the cricothyroid membrane. Through practical discussion and scenario-based learning, attendees will develop structured strategies for timely and effective emergency airway access, improving confidence and outcomes in high-stakes situations.

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NETWORKING
6:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

Oktoberfest-Themed PAC Party Happy Hour
Requires a separate ticket; available for purchase during registration. Learn more, here.

Sunday, September 27, 2026

REGISTRATION
7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Registration Desk Open

NETWORKING
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. 

Breakfast

GENERAL SESSION
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. 

Burnout, Stress, and Resilience in High-Acuity Clinical Practice: What the Parallel Process Reveals
Speaker: Stephanie Leopold, CRNA, APRN

This session examines burnout, stress, and resilience in high-acuity anesthesia practice through the lens of the parallel process framework. Drawing on neuroscience, polyvagal theory, and clinical evidence, participants will explore how chronic vigilance, high-stakes decision-making, sleep disruption, and repeated exposure to patient suffering shape the CRNA nervous system over time, contributing to burnout, impaired coping, and long-term workforce strain.

GENERAL SESSION
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. 

You Can Do It! Developing the Tools to Conduct Evidence-Based Practice
Speaker: Jennifer Greenwood, PhD, CRNA, FAANA

This presentation will inform clinicians regarding the steps in conducting evidence based practice; from asking the clinical question, finding the evidence through a structured database search, conducting critical appraisal of the evidence, formulating a plan for implementation, and conducting basic analysis of the data for reporting. Participants will be empowered to conduct evidence implementation at their own facilities to improve patient outcomes.

WORKSHOP
(Two Offerings)
8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

POCUS Guided Hands-On Workshop

Requires a separate ticket; available for purchase during registration. Learn more, here.

 

12:00 p.m. 

Annual Meeting Adjourns

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