Every year across the U.S., certified registered nurse anesthetists — also known as nurse anesthetists or CRNAs — safely administer more than 58 million anesthetics to patients. I am proud to be one of more than 75,000 CRNAs nationwide celebrating National CRNA Week, Jan. 18–24, 2026.

As a nurse anesthetist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and an assistant professor of anesthesiology in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, I see firsthand how essential CRNAs are to patient care every single day. This year’s CRNA Week theme, “The Heart of Anesthesia,” perfectly reflects the role we play — being present for patients during their most vulnerable moments and ensuring their safety, comfort, and dignity throughout surgery and recovery.

CRNA Week was established by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology in 2000 to educate the public about anesthesia safety and the high-quality, accessible care CRNAs provide. Our profession is built on a foundation of rigorous preparation. CRNAs complete years of advanced education and are the only anesthesia professionals required to have critical care experience before entering anesthesia training. That experience shapes how we think, how we anticipate complications, and how we respond when seconds matter most.

At Mayo Clinic, teamwork is a cornerstone of exceptional care. CRNAs collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals to deliver patient-centered, evidence-based anesthesia care across a wide range of procedures — from routine outpatient surgeries to the most complex cases. Whether I am caring for a patient in the operating room or teaching the next generation of anesthesia professionals, the focus is always the same: putting patients first.

Rochester also holds a special place in the history of anesthesia. More than a century ago, nurse anesthetist Alice Magaw — often called the “Mother of Anesthesia” — worked at Saint Marys Hospital, now part of Mayo Clinic. Beginning in 1893, her careful documentation and clinical expertise demonstrated that nurse-delivered anesthesia is safe and effective, setting standards that still guide our practice today. It is humbling to work in the same community where our profession helped shape modern surgical care.

CRNAs continue that legacy across Minnesota. Today, Minnesota is home to more than 2,000 CRNAs, four graduate nurse anesthesia programs, and approximately 350 student registered nurse anesthetists preparing to serve communities across the state. Our expertise supports hospitals, clinics, and surgical centers that might otherwise struggle to provide anesthesia and pain management services. This is especially true in rural communities, where CRNAs represent more than 80% of anesthesia providers and are often the only anesthesia professionals available. Our presence ensures patients can receive timely surgery, access pain management, and avoid long-distance travel for care.

CRNAs also play a vital role in obstetric care, helping ensure safe labor and delivery for families across the state. From welcoming newborns into the world to caring for older adults undergoing complex procedures, we provide anesthesia care across the lifespan.

During CRNA Week, we celebrate not only experienced CRNAs but also student registered nurse anesthetists — registered nurses preparing to carry this responsibility forward as CRNAs. Their dedication ensures a strong future for anesthesia care in Minnesota.

I invite the Rochester community and all Minnesotans to join me in recognizing CRNAs as the heart of anesthesia. Our commitment to patient safety, compassion, and excellence has been beating strong in this community for generations – and it will continue well into the future.

Learn more about CRNAs in Minnesota at mnana.org.

Robyn Finney, APRN, CRNA, DNAP, FAANA is president of the Minnesota Association of Nurse Anesthetists.]]>

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