[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING TOM McKIBBAN, CRNA, MS, PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION 
                         OF NURSE ANESTHETISTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 21, 2004

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to an outstanding 
Kansan, Tom McKibban, CRNA, MS. Mr. McKibban will soon complete his 
year as national president of the American Association of Nurse 
Anesthetists (AANA). I am very pleased that this son of Kansas was 
tapped as the 2003-2004 president of this prestigious national 
organization.
  Founded in 1931, the AANA represents more than 30,000 practicing 
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). As you may know, CRNAs 
administer approximately 65 percent of all anesthetics given to 
patients each year in the United States. They work in every setting in 
which anesthesia is delivered including hospital surgical suites and 
obstetrical delivery rooms, ambulatory surgical centers, and the 
offices of dentists, podiatrists, and the plastic surgeons.
  More importantly, CRNAs are the sole anesthesia providers in 
approximately two thirds of all rural hospitals, affording these 
medical facilities obstetrical, surgical and trauma stabilization 
services. In some states, such as Kansas, CRNAs are the sole providers 
in nearly 100% of the rural hospitals.
  Tom earned his master's of science degree in nurse anesthesia from 
the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, and his bachelor's degree 
in healthcare administration from Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas. He 
is currently a practicing nurse anesthetist and partner of the Butler 
County Anesthesia Services, LLC, which provides anesthesia services for 
Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, Kansas.
  Tom has held various leadership positions in the AANA as president-
elect, treasurer, and regional director before becoming the national 
president of the AANA in 2003. In addition, Tom has served terms as 
president, president-elect, treasurer, and secretary for the Kansas 
Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
  During his AANA Presidency, Mr. McKibban has testified before 
committees of Congress on healthcare topics including nurse anesthesia 
education and the importance of nurse anesthetists to the U.S. Armed 
Forces and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
  Under McKibban's leadership, the AANA opened an important, new line 
of communication with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA). 
These organizations of anesthesia professionals have not always seen 
eye-to-eye. The recent joint efforts of the two professional 
organizations would not have been possible without the initiative of 
Tom McKibban and his ASA counterpart.
  Even with his demanding schedule as a practicing nurse anesthetist, 
Tom has found time over the years to volunteer in his community. He has 
served as president and vice president of the Board of Education for 
Unified School District 490, and has been an active member of the board 
of education since 1999. He has also served as a member of the 
Endowment Board of Butler County Community College and board member for 
the American Red Cross Bluestem Chapter too.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Mr. 
Tom McKibban, CRNA, MS, for his notable career and outstanding 
achievements.

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