Maine Nurses Recognize Senator Collins with National Health Leadership Award

Senator Collins has led efforts to expand access to nursing education and support nurses through every phase of their careers.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and member of the Health Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, received the National Health Leadership Award from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA). The National Health Leadership Award is presented to individuals working at the federal level who have made a significant contribution to the formation of national health policy. The award recognizes Senator Collins' support for the vital role that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), also known as nurse anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists, play in providing access to cost-effective, quality anesthesia services to patients.

"Senator Collins has been a champion of CRNAs on the state and federal level, working to strengthen the U.S. nursing workforce through education, training and retention programs, helping to ensure our ability to practice at the full scope of our licensure," said AANA President Jeff Molter, MBA, MSN, CRNA. "She understands the important role CRNAs play in delivering quality, safe anesthesia care and has taken a leadership role on critical healthcare issues affecting our work on behalf of patients."

"Nurses are invaluable leaders who truly understand what it means to care and serve others," said Senator Collins. "As an original co-sponsor of the Senate Title VIII Reauthorization bill, I am keenly aware of the need to preserve and strengthen educational opportunities for aspiring nurses to support and expand the nursing workforce. I'm grateful for this recognition and look forward to exploring additional ways to support our nurses and rural health care in Congress."

Senator Collins was presented the award by a group of CRNAs and nursing students from Maine. The group included:

• Joe Earnhardt - Saco
• Cynthia Colon-Rivera - Holden
• Erin Foley - Portland
• Alyssa Pamintuan - Portland
• Delphinia Skinner - Falmouth
• Michaela Feist - Scarborough
• Cassie Prendergast - Freeport
• Maureen Furlong - Cape Elizabeth

Senator Collins has long championed the nursing workforce in Maine and nationwide. As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she has supported funding for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce programs. She is also co-leading legislation to reauthorize Title VIII programs through FY30. In addition, Senator Collins signed on to a critical bipartisan, bicameral letter in support of allowing education for CRNAs and other Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) to be classified as "professional degrees" by the Department of Education.

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