This is Your Mind on Plants: Psychedelics – 1 CE and 1 CE Credits in Pharmacology/Therapeutics – Crystal O'Guin, DNP, CRNA
Objectives:
Describe pharmacology and emerging research regarding psychedelic agents.
Develop strategies for preoperative assessment, intraoperative management, and postoperative care in patients with recent or chronic psychedelic exposure.
8:15 am
Fat & Blood & Air, Oh My!: Updates on Embolic Physiology and Management for Anesthesia 1 CE – Crystal O'Guin, DNP, CRNA
Objectives:
Describe the pathophysiology of embolic events, including the mechanisms of gas, thrombotic, fat, and amniotic fluid emboli.
Develop a systematic approach to the management of embolic events in the perioperative setting, including immediate resuscitation, monitoring, and targeted interventions.
9:15 am
Refreshment Break with Exhibitors
9:30 am
Greening the Operating Room: Sustainable Anesthesia Practices for the 21st Century CRNA – 1 CE– .50 CE Credits in Pharmacology/Therapeutics Jodi Carlsen, DNAP, CRNA
Objective: Identify three practical strategies CRNAs can implement to reduce the environmental impact of anesthetic gases and OR waste without compromising patient safety.
10:30 am
From Clinician to Coach: Building a Mentorship Culture in Anesthesia Practice – 1 CE Jodi Carlsen, DNAP, CRNA
Objective: Outline three foundational strategies for establishing a sustainable anesthesia mentorship program that fosters professional development, encourages teaching, and supports early-career CRNAs or SRNAs.
Objective: Further discuss practical approaches to psychedelic pharmacology, embolic management, eco-conscious anesthesia, and mentorship in CRNA practice.
12:30 pm
Scientific Poster Review – 1 CE Formal time for virtual assessment
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Time
Event Information
6:15 am
Breakfast with Exhibitors & NAFA Welcome Desk
7:00 am
Beyond ACLS: Essentials for the anesthesia professional – 1 CE and .25 CE Credits in Pharmacology/Therapeutics – Crystal O'Guin, DNP, CRNA
Objectives:
Analyze key differences in perioperative cardiac arrest management compared with traditional arrest.
Review best practices related to general management of intraoperative cardiac arrest (IOCA).
Discuss tailored management of unique operative cardiac arrest scenarios.
8:00 am
From Neostigmine to Sugammadex: Lessons from a Decade of Change—1 CE and 1 CE Credit in Pharmacology/Therapeutics – Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA
Objectives:
Analyze the impact of sugammadex on perioperative outcomes, including the incidence of residual neuromuscular blockade and postoperative complications, over the last decade since approval by the FDA.
Describe current recommendations for the use of sugammandex in diverse patient populations.
9:00 am
Refreshment Break with Exhibitors
9:15 am
Tailoring Care: Personalized Anesthesia in the Era of Precision Medicine 1 CE —Jiale (Gary) Hu, PhD, RN, FAAN
Objective: Explain how emerging technologies and data can be used to individualize anesthetic management and enhance patient outcomes through precision medicine.
10:15 am
Reimagining Anesthesia: From Anesthesia Machines to Closed-Loop Systems — 1 CE Jiale (Gary) Hu, PhD, RN, FAAN
Objective: Assess the evolution and research evidence of closed-loop systems and their potential to improve safety, precision, and efficiency in anesthesia care.
Objective: Further discuss key developments in perioperative cardiac care, neuromuscular reversal, and technology-driven anesthesia for improved patient outcomes.
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Time
Event Information
12:30 pm
Lunch and Learn: AI for CRNAs: Building Literacy, Engineering Prompts, and Creating ToolsWorkshop – 3 CE – Separate workshop fee
Describe the foundational concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) and the core principles (ACHIEVE) of using AI.
Practice common prompt engineering techniques and approaches for addressing specific challenges in real-world scenarios.
Identify how custom generative AI tools can be developed and applied to support teaching, learning, scholarly activities, and clinical work.
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Time
Event Information
6:15 am
Breakfast with Exhibitors & NAFA Welcome Desk
7:00 am
Enhancing Safety and Efficacy in Upper Extremity Regional Anesthesia – 1 CE .25 CE Credit in Pharmacology/Therapeutics and .25 Pain CE Andrew Metz, DNAP, CRNA
Objectives:
Identify key anatomical landmarks and nerves relevant to upper extremity nerve blocks.
Describe the basic steps and safety considerations for performing common upper extremity nerve blocks using ultrasound guidance.
8:00 am
Ultrasound-Guided Blocks for the Lower Extremity: Pearls and Pitfalls – 1 CE .25 CE Credit in Pharmacology/Therapeutics and .25 Pain CE Andrew Metz, DNAP, CRNA
Objectives:
Recognize the major nerves and anatomical regions targeted in lower extremity nerve blocks.
Outline the essential technique and safety principles for ultrasound-guided lower extremity nerve blocks.
9:00 am
Refreshment Break with Exhibitors
9:15 am
Chest and Abdominal Wall Analgesia: Modern Truncal Block Approaches 1 CE–.25 CE Credit in Pharmacology/Therapeutics and .50 Pain CE Andrew Metz, DNAP, CRNA
Objectives:
List the main types of truncal nerve blocks and their clinical indications.
Summarize the fundamental procedural steps and safety measures for performing truncal nerve blocks with ultrasound.
10:15 am
Shaping the Future: DNAP Contributions to Patient Safety – 1 CE Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA
Objective: Analyze the evidence base underlying doctoral student projects and its application to anesthesia care.
11:15 am
Question & Answer Session – 1 CE Andrew Metz, DNAP, CRNA and Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA
Objective: Further discuss ultrasound-guided techniques for upper, lower, and truncal nerve blocks, along with DNAP-driven insights to enhance safety and clinical outcomes.
12:30 pm
Lunch and Learn: Hands-On Workshop: Ultrasound Scanning for Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity and Truncal Blocks - 3 CE - Separate workshop fee Andrew Metz, DNAP, CRNA, Alisyn Metz, DNAP, CRNA, and Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA
Objectives:
Demonstrate correct ultrasound probe handling and image optimization techniques for peripheral and truncal nerve blocks on live models.
Identify key sonoanatomical structures relevant to upper extremity, lower extremity, and truncal nerve blocks on live models or simulators.
Practice in-plane and out-of-plane needle guidance techniques on task trainers under ultrasound, ensuring safe needle advancement and local anesthetic deposition.
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Time
Event Information
6:15 am
Breakfast with Exhibitors & NAFA Welcome Desk
7:00 am
12 Lead Interpretation: A Stepwise Process – 1 CE Beverly George-Gay, DNP, AGPCNP-BC
Objective: Describe a stepwise approach to interpreting the 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in the peri anesthesia setting.
8:00 am
Palpitations and Beyond: Identifying Supraventricular Tachycardia–1 CE Beverly George-Gay, DNP, AGPCNP-BC
Objective: Describe the common causes and clinical features of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and identify key findings for diagnosis.
9:00 am
Refreshment Break with Exhibitors
9:15 am
SVT on the Strip: Practical ECG Interpretation — 1 CE Beverly George-Gay, DNP, AGPCNP-BC
Objective: Identify key electrocardiographic features that distinguish common types of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) on a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG).
10:15 am
Driving Practice Forward: DNAP Student Scholarship – 1 CE Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA
Objective: Identify lessons learned from DNAP projects that can inform clinical decision-making or quality improvement.
11:15 am
Question & Answer Session – 1 CE Beverly George-Gay, DNP, AGPCNP-BC and Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA
Objective: Further discuss foundational and advanced ECG interpretation techniques, SVT diagnostics, and clinical insights from DNAP student projects.
12:30 pm
Bonus Session for Future CRNAs – 2.5 hours
Lunch and Learn: Aspiration to Admission: Guiding Your First Steps Toward Nurse Anesthesiology Panel Presentations & Discussion: Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA, Beverly George-Gay, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, and Rebekah Carmel, PhD, CRNA
Thinking about a career in nurse anesthesiology? This session is designed to help you move from curiosity to confident preparation. Learn what to expect on the path to becoming a CRNA—from understanding different types of nurse anesthesiology programs and clinical site models to the essentials of doctoral education.
We’ll cover how to build a strong CV, prepare for interviews, and make the most of shadowing opportunities. Whether you're just starting to explore the profession or ready to take your first steps, this session offers practical strategies to help you prepare for success.