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It’s bold. It’s fast. And it’s the first of its kind in nurse anesthesiology. Sharon and guest co-host AANA President Jan Setnor welcome back nurse innovator Rebecca Love, RN, MSN, FIEL to introduce a groundbreaking addition to the AANA Annual Congress: the first-ever Nurse Anesthesia Hackathon. Rebecca has always challenged the status quo and this year she's bringing that energy straight to the AANA with something bold and exciting. From patient safety to AI to perioperative brain health, the challenges are real, and so is your chance to make a difference.
Jan's leadership and vision have been instrumental in bringing fresh forward-thinking ideas to our organization, including the exciting new addition we're here to talk about. Modeled after the tech world’s high-energy innovation sprints, this event brings CRNAs and SRNAs together to solve real-world problems in real time. Rebecca will give us a breakdown on how hackathons work, why they empower frontline providers, and how participants will pitch solutions to a panel of expert judges. Whether you’ve got a background in business or just a drive to make healthcare better, this is your invitation to think bigger, collaborate deeper, and innovate faster.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
💡 What a hackathon is and why it matters in healthcare
🧠 How CRNAs will solve problems like brain health, safety, and AI ethics
🤝 The power of collaboration across different roles and experience levels
📢 Pitching solutions live to expert judges
🚀 Why this could spark careers, companies, and lasting change
Learn more about the case here
Will you be among the Congress attendees tackling some of today's most urgent challenges in nurse anesthesiology?
Join nurse innovator and Hackathon host Rebecca Love, RN, MSN, FIEL, along with former AANA president and Beyond the Mask podcast host Sharon Pearce, DNP, CRNA, FAANA, FAAN, and 14 expert CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist mentors for an exclusive opportunity to collaborate, compete, and create real-world solutions.
This team-based, high-energy event is free to attend — but space is limited. Only 112 seats are available. Save your seat at aana.com/hackathon.
Catch Sharon Live at the 53rd Annual Refresher Course for Nurse Anesthetists!
Join Sharon this November 14–16, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in Walt Disney World Village, Florida, for the Frank Moya Continuing Education Program’s annual conference. She’ll be delivering four insightful talks as part of the guest faculty lineup.
Don’t miss this chance to learn, connect, and recharge—with some Disney magic on the side!
Click here for more details and to register
🎗 Beyond the Mask Podcast is honored to once again sponsor a team for the HALOS Memorial Walk on August 2nd. HALOS is a nonprofit offering hope and healing to families who’ve lost a child, including Sharon when she lost her granddaughter, Emma. This powerful organization is run by parents who truly understand. To join our team or donate, visit the support page 💛
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"When you allow nurses and nurse anesthetists to innovate, they change the way that we operate fundamentally."
- Rebecca Love
