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Good governance is proactive, not reactive, and a potential bylaw change could help the AANA move more in that direction. In this episode of Beyond the Mask, Jeremy and Sharon welcome AANA vice president Tracy Young to discuss one of the most important proposals facing the AANA: a new bylaw amendment that would establish a clear, fair process for removing a board member before a crisis demands it. We'll walk through what the amendment proposes, the rationale behind it, and the potential implications for the AANA moving forward.
This amendment will be up for consideration at this year’s AANA Annual Congress so we wanted to get Tracy’s insight on how the draft policy balances transparency, confidentiality, and due process. We’ll share real-life examples of board dysfunction and inefficiency, and give you a little more background on why this matters for CRNAs.
You’ll also hear what the policy does (and doesn’t) allow, how high the bar for removal truly is, and why now is the perfect time to put a process in place, even if it’s not currently needed.
Here’s some of what you’ll hear in this episode:
📜 Why the AANA needs a removal process for board members
🛑 Current fallback is a public, divisive member vote
🗳️ Proposed policy includes due process and confidentiality
⚖️ Grounds for removal: misconduct, nonperformance, conflict of interest
🧠 Why a strong board culture—and not just bylaws—matters most
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 the AANA 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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"We don't need this bylaw amendment now, which means it's the perfect time for us to try and get it passed."
- AANA president-elect Tracy Young
