American Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is leading a bipartisan congressional letter in support of maintaining VA Directive 1123, the longstanding policy that provides clarity and stability for anesthesia care throughout the VA healthcare system.

AAAA supports this effort and is asking members to contact their Senators and Representatives and urge them to support the letter.

Your voice helps protect safe, high-quality anesthesia care for veterans and supports the physician-led Anesthesia Care Team across the VA.

Click the link to message your elected officials today.
https://www.anesthetist.org/advocacy

Nominations are now open for the 2027 AAAA Board of Directors! As our profession continues to grow, strong volunteer leadership is essential to advancing advocacy efforts, strengthening member engagement, and helping shape the strategic direction of the Academy.

If you've been looking for a way to make a lasting impact on the profession, now is the time. We encourage eligible AAAA Fellow Members to consider serving or nominating a colleague who brings vision, collaboration, and a commitment to advancing the CAA profession.

Self-nominations are welcome.

🗓 Nominations close July 10, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

Learn More: https://anesthetist.sharepoint.com/sites/ExternalFiles/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2FExternalFiles%2FShared%20Documents%2FGeneral%2FAAAA%20Elections%2FAAAA%20Elected%20Position%20Descriptions%2Epdf&parent=%2Fsites%2FExternalFiles%2FShared%20Documents%2FGeneral%2FAAAA%20Elections&p=true&cid=148578fc%2Df1b6%2D4c33%2D8284%2D36d8934a9505&ga=1
Submit Your Nomination: https://www.cognitoforms.com/AAAA36/_2027AAAABoardOfDirectorsCandidateNominationForm

The AAAA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Chartrand, CAA, as Director representing the Western Caucus!

Adam is a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant and Senior Instructor at the University of Colorado. He is passionate about clinical excellence, mentorship, and advancing the profession through education and advocacy. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to supporting AA students and new trainees through hands-on teaching and educational resource development.

In accordance with the AAAA Bylaws, Adam was appointed by the Executive Committee to fill the remainder of the term vacated by Erin Van Winkle, whose service concluded following her resignation from the Board in March 2026. We extend our sincere gratitude to Erin for her leadership, dedication, and contributions to AAAA, the Western Caucus, and the CAA profession.

Please join us in welcoming Adam to the AAAA Board of Directors!

Advocacy in action.

Over the past two weeks, AAAA has spent a lot of time on Capitol Hill! Last week, our federal advocacy team met with various Congressional offices continuing to build relationships. This week, our leaders joined colleagues from the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) in Washington, D.C. for ASA LegCon 2026, continuing important conversations around the future of anesthesia care and federal healthcare policy.

Working alongside our physician partners, AAAA board members and staff met with lawmakers and congressional offices to advocate for the Anesthesia Care Team model, improved access to high-quality anesthesia care, and policies that support physician-led, team-based care across the country.

These conversations matter. Strong partnerships and a unified voice are essential as we continue advancing the CAA profession and protecting patient-centered anesthesia care at the federal level.

Thank you to ASA for the opportunity to collaborate and advocate together!

Mark your calendars, Orlando is calling!

Save the date for AAAA 2027, April 15–18, where CAAs, students, and leaders from across the country will come together for education, connection, and an unforgettable experience.

Stay tuned for more details and be part of the community shaping the future of the CAA profession — you won’t want to miss it. Only at AAAA 2027.

At the end of April, AAAA had the opportunity to connect with partners and leaders across healthcare and regulation at both the ASPAN National Conference and the FSMB Annual Meeting.

At ASPAN, AAAA President Emily Mycyk connected with ASPAN President Ursula Mellinger, reinforcing the importance of collaboration across the perioperative team to advance patient care and strengthen team-based practice.

At the FSMB Annual Meeting, AAAA Executive Director Leigh Maltby met with Dr. Sherif Zaafran (TX) and Dr. Heidi Koenig (KY)—respected leaders and longtime champions of the Anesthesia Care Team model and efforts to expand CAA licensure.

These conversations matter. Advancing patient safety and expanding access to high-quality anesthesia care requires strong partnerships across professional organizations, state leadership, regulatory bodies, and physician advocates.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to engage with leaders who share a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and the future of team-based anesthesia care.