Assembly Resolution No. 763

BY: M. of A. Paulin

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
January 21-27, 2018, as Certified Registered Nurse
Anesthetist (CRNA) Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize an
official week that is set aside to inform key audiences about the role
and value of CRNAs in delivering anesthesia care in today's and
tomorrow's United States healthcare system; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 21-27, 2018, as
CRNA Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of National CRNA Week; and

WHEREAS, CRNAs are essential to America's healthcare system; these
dedicated health professionals have been providing high-quality,
cost-effective anesthesia care for more than 150 years, and have safely
administered approximately 43 million anesthetics to patients each year;
and

WHEREAS, Nurse Anesthetists were the first professional group to
provide anesthesia in the United States, and are the oldest recognized
group of advanced practice registered nurse specialists; and

WHEREAS, These registered nurses have completed a graduate-level
educational program in a nationally accredited program of nurse
anesthesia, and after graduation are qualified to take the national
certifying examination; and

WHEREAS, Nurses first provided anesthesia to wounded soldiers during
the Civil War; since World War I, nurse anesthetists have been the main
provider of anesthesia care to United States military personnel on the
front lines; today, these remarkable men and women serve our soldiers in
conflicts throughout the Middle East; and

WHEREAS, 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% of the rural
hospitals; and

WHEREAS, CRNAs practice in every setting in which anesthesia is
delivered including traditional hospital surgical suites and obstetrical
delivery rooms; the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists,
and plastic surgeons; ambulatory surgical centers; and United States
Military and Public Health Services and Veterans Administration medical
facilities; and

WHEREAS, Each day, New Yorkers benefit from the caring and skilled
attention of these individuals and it is appropriate to recognize the
innumerable contributions of CRNAs by designating a special week in
their honor; and


WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize these
outstanding healthcare professionals for their outstanding contribution
in adding to the quality of life in our State and Nation; now,
therefore, be it,

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 21-27, 2018, as
CRNA Week in the State of New York, in recognition of our appreciation
of CRNAs and to celebrate their dedication and professionalism; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.