Lenexa, Kansas – The Kansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists has named Ethos Medical Staffing Chief Anesthesia Executive Officer Kelly Gordon, RN, BSN, MA, CRNA as president elect. She replaces Brian Fleeman as president in October 2023.
The Kansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (KANA) is a nonprofit association with more than 850 members dedicated to the advancement of the nurse anesthesia profession, continued development of the art and science of anesthesiology, and the provision of accessible, affordable, high-quality care. The group represents certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) and student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNA) who are members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).
Gordon is the CEO & co-founder of Ethos Anesthesia Services and CEO & founder of Dynamos Anesthesia Services. She has nearly 35 years of experience in the hospital & health care industry. As a practicing CRNA, Gordon and her colleagues serve hospitals around the Kansas City area and the Midwest with their anesthesia care and excellent physician and nursing relations. She is involved in the start-up of three hospital anesthesia departments, developing and implementing anesthesia guidelines that meet or exceed the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program survey requirements.
In addition to her medical practicing career, Gordon has been a member of the KANA board of directors since October 2020, an SRNA instructor at the University of Kansas Medical Center and a former SRNA instructor at Truman Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia.
“I’m honored to be elected as the next president of our organization,” said Gordon. “CRNAs are critical for our state to continue providing excellent anesthesia services to our hospitals. KANA is the strongest supporter of Kansas’s CRNAs, and we plan to continue our work advocating for the profession.”
Today, some 54,000 CRNAs are practicing in all states throughout the U.S. including approximately 750 CRNAs actively practicing in Kansas. CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia services to America’s rural population. In Kansas, more than 80% of the hospitals providing surgical services rely solely on nurse anesthetists for these medically underserved areas to offer obstetrical, surgical, pain management, and trauma stabilization services.
“KANA is a valuable resource for young professionals in anesthetics,” said Gordon. “Through KANA, our members get valuable insight and the opportunity for meaningful input into the local, regional and national public policies that dramatically affect their industry and daily professional lives.”
KANA members receive benefits of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). The organization funds a full-time staff of lobbyists and regulatory experts fighting for CRNA practice rights in Topeka and on Capitol Hill and a full-time staff of state legislative experts advising the state associations on issues including anesthesiologist assistants. KANA members receive free consultations with expert staff on practice issues, research initiatives, business matters, and more, specialized accreditations through AANA and subscription to the CRNA Knowledge Network, and discounts on malpractice, disability, health, and life insurance
Learn more about Kelly Gordon and Ethos Medical Staffing at ethosmedicalstaffing.com.
About Ethos Medical Staffing
Founded by nurses in 2015, Ethos Medical Staffing is improving communities by changing how health care is delivered. Ethos is a family-oriented traveling nursing firm focused on the communities it serves, guided by a common belief that nurses and allied health professionals deserve an advocate who treats them like a priority while they care for others. To learn more, visit ethosmedicalstaffing.com.
